It’s a good thing we are so patient. If not, one may start
to wonder what if……
1.)
The AOPA and EAA were to write and post directions
for pilots to self-certify their ability to act as PIC within all the current
parameters of a private pilot.
2.)
Then the AOPA and EAA create a website that
keeps current the medications that are allowed for use by the FAA, as well as
any constraints the FAA may have. This website would allow public access so
that all pilots and their physicians can access at any time. The FAA would have
the task of maintaining the currency of the site.
3.)
All GA pilots and GA aircraft owners send a
letter to all the insurance carriers explaining that they will only support the
companies that drop the need for a third class medical as a requirement for
coverage while operating as a private pilot (AOPA and EAA could compose a
generic letter and provide addresses).
4.)
On a set date, all pilots that only need a third
class medical, write the FAA (AOPA and EAA could compose a generic letter and
provide address) to advise the FAA that as private pilots they will no longer
be visiting an AME once every two years to determine their fitness to fly.
Instead pilots will be following the guidelines set forth by the AOPA and EAA
(see item 1).
Could add the argument that currently, while
operating with a third class medical, the pilot has the task of ‘self-certifying’ one’s fitness to fly,
from the moment the pilot leaves the AME’s office, for the remainder of the two
year term. Under the new policies, the task of ‘self certification’ would
expand to include the one additional day every two years. When health circumstances
border the limits of the guidelines set forth by the AOPA and EAA as outlined
in item 1, pilots would rely on their primary care physicians to help them make
an educated decision of whether or not they should be performing the duties of
a private pilot (not an AME that has a limited understanding of the given
situation).
This is a much safer approach and in the best
interest of the general public, including pilots and non-pilots.
Are we enough numbers that the FAA would concede? Would we
stand together? Would we be paying British taxes if our forefathers had decided
to drink the tea instead of floating it in the harbor?....just wondering………I’ll
go back to hoping that our ‘government of the people and for the people’ will
give us permission.................
