I'm not talking about what you can fly. What I'm saying is that if you have a private pilots lic you do not have the restrictions flying a lite sport that a rec pilot only would have. Yes two seats, 1540 lbs gross weight, etc. But not the limit on altitude, no restriction on night flight, no restriction on distance, IFR if so equipped, etc etc etc.

You're both right-- restricted by license, not by aircraft. But now, if you're flying without a current medical, you can only exercise sport pilot privileges. That means LSA-compliant aircraft, day VFR only, etc.
Under this new proposal, you will be able to exercise private pilot privileges even without a current medical- but you will be restricted to day VFR, 180hp max, one passenger, etc. More restrictive than a private with medical, but less so than sport pilot.

I confirm what Hotrod says. Even though you have a PPL, if you do not have a current medical you are flying under LSA rules. So it is not the lic it is the medical or lack that determines what you can or can not do.

I just filed mine. Dang! They limited me to 2000 characters. Imagine that. I thought they cared what I think.

For what it's worth I stressed the "judgement" aspect of flying. Like this:

"I’ve been taught and have long believed that the surest way to avoid an aviation accident involves good judgement. This judgement extends to a variety of areas. Among them are: Is my equipment up to the task? Does my flight plan cover all the bases? Can I handle the wind and weather? Am I mentally alert or is my mind distracted by things outside my control? Is my training adequate?

The answers to each of these and other questions can always be answered with absolute certainty after the flight is finished. Then and only then can I be sure that each of these bases was covered adequately. Before takeoff though no one can be sure. The same principle applies to regulation by the FAA. Solid rule making can act as a guideline to a safe flight, but no regulation however well conceived, can replace a pilot’s judgement before he or she climbs into the cockpit and starts the engine."

Yada Yada

Good answer.

I filed mine a week ago but this judgement thing is really good. This is why I will submit another requesting that I be allowed a judgement waiver to continue my flying when I can no longer pass the psyco/eval for wanting to land off airport.

http://sn124w.snt124.mail.live.com/mail ... 33944&fv=1
FROM AOPA
What if you could complete a medical awareness online course, assess your fitness for flight, and use your driver's license in lieu of a third-class medical for certain flights?

You could do just that if the AOPA/EAA medical exemption is granted.

But, in order for that to happen we need your help. Every comment received in support of the exemption brings us closer to our goal of 10,000 comments, a number that simply can't be ignored.

The AOPA/EAA medical exemption can help put thousands of pilots each year back in the air and that is something we should all rally behind.

The July 2nd deadline to comment and support the medical exemption is only a few days away.

We urge those who have not commented on our exemption request to do so today before the time frame ends, because this request opens an important discussion about creating more possibilities to participate in aviation while maintaining a high safety standard. Now is the time to make your voice heard on this important initiative.

Robert Hackman
AOPA Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
Guide to CommentingComment Here

Key points regarding the Petition:
• Current FAA regulation requires all pilots to hold at least a third-class medical certificate to exercise the privileges of a private or recreational certificate.


• AOPA and EAA are asking the FAA for an exemption to that rule, which would give pilots who fly recreationally the option of getting a third-class medical or, instead, participating in a recurrent online education program that will teach them how to self-assess their fitness to fly.


• Opportunity for members and the community to comment is now; the FAA has published the petition request and is accepting comments through July 2nd.


• Our community needs to be heard and the FAA needs to hear that the industry is supportive of this effort.


• Already, the FAA has received 3000 comments; they need to hear from many more to emphasize the importance of this request.


• Guide to commenting available on our website, or go to our homepage and look for the Medical Petition Information in the AOPA Action section.


• Additional information and background if needed: click here.

But, in order for that to happen we need your help. Every comment received in support of the exemption brings us closer to our goal of 10,000 comments, a number that simply can't be ignored.

Just did a quick check and it looks like there are >9900 comments to date.

9901, assuming I submitted the form correctly.

9902

My comments were submitted:

I am writing in support of medical exemptions for private pilots to self-certify based on LSA-rule compliant driver's license. I do not believe that the current policy of 3rd class medical provides sufficiently higher standard for pilot medical condition - and therefore think it is prudent to relax restrictions. I believe the rule has the inverse effect of actually discouraging pilots from seeking medical attention in fear of being grounded. Pilots will always need to be self-assessing their medical condition prior to flight - and the 3rd class medical does nothing to preclude that. Allowing a medical exemption will relieve pilots and will encourage them to more actively seek medical advice and guidance for managing their care - and therefore this will likely improve safety.