mtv wrote:

marcusofcotton wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:Is a drivers license mentioned anywhere in this proposal? Is there still gonna be a 3rd class medical?

Copy and paste from the beginning of S571 text:

1.Short title
This Act may be cited as Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2.

2.Medical certification of certain small aircraft pilots
(a)In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or revise regulations to ensure that an individual may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft if—

(1)the individual possesses a valid driver’s license issued by a State, territory, or possession of the United States and complies with all medical requirements or restrictions associated with that license;...

Marcus,

Sorry, but that's just from the summary of the bill. Read the full text, where you'll find this:

(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The checklist shall contain—

(A) a section, for the individual to complete that contains—

(i) boxes 3 through 13 and boxes 16 through 19 of the Federal Aviation Administration Form 8500–8 (3–99);

(ii) a signature line for the individual to affirm that—

(I) the answers provided by the individual on that checklist, including the individual's answers regarding medical history, are true and complete;

(II) the individual understands that he or she is prohibited under Federal Aviation Administration regulations from acting as pilot in command, or any other capacity as a required flight crew member, if he or she knows or has reason to know of any medical deficiency or medically disqualifying condition that would make the individual unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner; and

(III) the individual is aware of the regulations pertaining to the prohibition on operations during medical deficiency and has no medically disqualifying conditions in accordance with applicable law;

(B) a section with instructions for the individual to provide the completed checklist to the physician performing the comprehensive medical examination required in subsection (a)(7); and

(C) a section, for the physician to complete, that instructs the physician—

(i) to perform a clinical examination of—

(I) head, face, neck, and scalp;

(II) nose, sinuses, mouth, and throat;

(III) ears, general (internal and external canals), and eardrums (perforation);

(IV) eyes (general), ophthalmoscopic, pupils (equality and reaction), and ocular motility (associated parallel movement, nystagmus);

(V) lungs and chest (not including breast examination);

(VI) heart (precordial activity, rhythm, sounds, and murmurs);

(VII) vascular system (pulse, amplitude, and character, and arms, legs, and others);

(VIII) abdomen and viscera (including hernia);

(IX) anus (not including digital examination);

(X) skin;

(XI) G–U system (not including pelvic examination);

(XII) upper and lower extremities (strength and range of motion);

(XIII) spine and other musculoskeletal;

(XIV) identifying body marks, scars, and tattoos (size and location);

(XV) lymphatics;

(XVI) neurologic (tendon reflexes, equilibrium, senses, cranial nerves, and coordination, etc.);

(XVII) psychiatric (appearance, behavior, mood, communication, and memory);

(XVIII) general systemic;

(XIX) hearing;

(XX) vision (distant, near, and intermediate vision, field of vision, color vision, and ocular alignment);

(XXI) blood pressure and pulse; and

(XXII) anything else the physician, in his or her medical judgment, considers necessary;

(ii) to exercise medical discretion to address, as medically appropriate, any medical conditions identified, and to exercise medical discretion in determining whether any medical tests are warranted as part of the comprehensive medical examination;

(iii) to discuss all drugs the individual reports taking (prescription and nonprescription) and their potential to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft or motor vehicle;

(iv) to sign the checklist, stating: “I certify that I discussed all items on this checklist with the individual during my examination, discussed any medications the individual is taking that could interfere with their ability to safely operate an aircraft or motor vehicle, and performed an examination that included all of the items on this checklist. I certify that I am not aware of any medical condition that, as presently treated, could interfere with the individual’s ability to safely operate an aircraft.”; and

(v) to provide the date the comprehensive medical examination was completed, and the physician’s full name, address, telephone number, and State medical license number.

In other words, you'll still have to fill all the squares from a flight physical. The only difference is who signs the form and where that for lives after its signed.

I can't imagine most doctors' malpractice insurance will be happy with their insured signing a form that says one is safe to fly. At least a an AME has training in aerospace medicine and they've got the FAA behind them. Your family doc going to know enough to be comfortable signing you off to fly?

I think one advantage under this bill is that a pilot COULD go to their AME for the exam but NOT ask for a third class medical, just the signature. At least the AME will understand this. And he'll probably charge more.......

But, if you can't pass a flight physical now, you won't legally be able to fly under this bill either.....except LS, of course.

MTV

marcusofcotton wrote:"...(iv) to sign the checklist, stating: “I certify that I discussed all items on this checklist with the individual during my examination, discussed any medications the individual is taking that could interfere with their ability to safely operate an aircraft or motor vehicle, and performed an examination that included all of the items on this checklist. I certify that I am not aware of any medical condition that, as presently treated, could interfere with the individual’s ability to safely operate an aircraft.”; and..."

That word "could" is a problem. "would likely" would be a more reasonable substitute for "could".

I believe I read this was added the last minute through a proposal by Diane Fienstien (sp?). Perhaps the House could be persuaded to not add that language to their bill and then the Senate might agree in the conference committee??? A little risky, but there were already ~70 Senate cosponsors before that language was added.

akavidflyer wrote:I will gladly take any improvement we have on the current system and not bitch because I only got the steak and not the baked potato or asparagus on the side

Zzz wrote:.... I finally found the best AME I've had yet. The last one wanted to inspect my brown eye and that was the last time I visited him. .......

Below is just a portion of what an exam by an AME is to consist of. What is on the new proposed ruling that would drive the cost higher than what my AME would charge me? Especially in light of the fact that my doctor is not "certifying" me, as my AME is, only stating that he has discussed what is listed, performed an exam, and only "certifying" he is not aware of any issues.

I would think that this is removing quite a bit of liability from my doctor, he is not being asked to be an expert in anything else other than his medical field. Again, quite a bit different from what my AME stated by "certifying" me.



Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners - Application Process for Medical Certification

Exam Techniques and Criteria for Qualification

The Examiner must personally conduct the physical examination. This section provides guidance for completion of Items 21-58 of the Application for Airman Medical Certificate or Airman Medical and Student Pilot Certificate, FAA Form 8500-8.

The Examiner must carefully read the applicant's history page of FAA Form 8500-8 (Items 1-20) before conducting the physical examination and completing the Report of Medical Examination. This alerts the Examiner to possible pathological findings.

The Examiner must note in Item 60 of the FAA Form 8500-8 any condition found in the course of the examination. The Examiner must list the facts, such as dates, frequency, and severity of occurrence.

When a question arises, the Federal Air Surgeon encourages Examiners first to check this Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners and other FAA informational documents. If the question remains unresolved, the Examiner should seek advice from a RFS or the Manager of the AMCD.

After all routine evaluations and tests are completed, the Examiner should make a complete review of FAA Form 8500-8. If the form is complete and accurate, the Examiner should add final comments, make qualification decision statements, and sign the declaration. The medical history page of FAA Form 8500-8 must be completed in the handwriting of and signed and dated by the applicant. Upon completion of the physical examination, the entire FAA Form 8500-8, Items 1 through 64, must be electronically transmitted to the FAA.
Exam Item(s)


21-22. Height and Weight
23-24. Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA); SODA Serial Number
25. Head, Face, Neck, and Scalp
26. Nose
27. Sinuses
28. Mouth and Throat
29. Ear
30. Ear Drums
31. Eyes
32. Ophthalmoscopic
33. Pupils
34. Ocular Motility
35. Lungs and Chest
36. Heart
37. Vascular System
38. Abdomen and Viscera
39. Anus (No Disposition)
40. Skin
41. G-U System
42. Upper and Lower Extremities
43. Spine and other Musculoskeletal
44. Identifying Body Marks, Scars, Tattoos
45. Lymphatics
46. Neurologic
47. Psychiatric Conditions
48. General Systemic
49. Hearing
50. Distant Vision
51. Near and Intermediate Vision
52. Color Vision
53. Field of Vision
54. Heterophoria
55. Blood Pressure
56. Pulse
57. Urine Test
58. ECG (No Disposition)
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