No medical
10-20-2011, 09:26 AM
#11
Self Employed.
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Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Long shot
I hate to be a pessimist in the very area I make a living, but it is unlikely this situation will turn around any time soon. Litigation and fuel prices are the worst obstacles. A huge force that could overturn the litigation issue no longer exists, the former need in this country for piston airplanes to get around. Perhaps EAA and AOPA will continue to get some of the hassles rolled back and I hope they do. But a piston airplane remains too expensive for the average family and fuel is still too high. There is some hope that biofuel may lead to cheaper fuel within our lifetimes.
Piston GA as a form of personal transportation is gone. Hobby pilot IFR, not a good idea. As with Europe if GA is to survive it will be at small rural VFR airports by guys who fly Cessna 150's and Aeronca Champs on bluebird days in uncontrolled airspace.
Skyhigh
10-20-2011, 03:38 PM
#12
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,387
Not sure I agree with that idea. A small slow airplane doing the wrong thing because the pilot has vision, hearing, and 4 meds in his system is much more troubling in busy airspace than out in the sticks. There was a reason he didn't want to go for that class III medical in the first place, and it wasn't his great health. The question in my mind is, will pilots who probably cannot pass a class III medical be able to safely fly among airliners and I don't think having one less passenger aboard has much to do with it when they take out a Boeing on final.
Maybe a self-certification where you fill out a form and report your medical history. If they don't like what they see, you have to go to an AME.
10-20-2011, 06:30 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: Kickin it "C"old School in AK
Posts: 283
10-24-2011, 10:37 AM
#14
Works Every Weekend
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,210
I think this is an awful idea, honestly....
As a CFI, I've seen way more than a few of the old grandpa-types who should have had the keys to the airplane AND the car taken away many years prior.... but are still flying because they have a friend who will sign off their flight review. Usually losing the medical is the only way these guys stop flying. I flew with one such individual a few months ago, and just the other day I saw him taxiing out by himself... after requesting progressive taxi instructions at the airport he's had his airplane at for 20 years.
As a CFI, I've seen way more than a few of the old grandpa-types who should have had the keys to the airplane AND the car taken away many years prior.... but are still flying because they have a friend who will sign off their flight review. Usually losing the medical is the only way these guys stop flying. I flew with one such individual a few months ago, and just the other day I saw him taxiing out by himself... after requesting progressive taxi instructions at the airport he's had his airplane at for 20 years.
10-24-2011, 12:10 PM
#15
Moderate Moderator
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
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Plus 1
I think this is an awful idea, honestly....
As a CFI, I've seen way more than a few of the old grandpa-types who should have had the keys to the airplane AND the car taken away many years prior.... but are still flying because they have a friend who will sign off their flight review. Usually losing the medical is the only way these guys stop flying. I flew with one such individual a few months ago, and just the other day I saw him taxiing out by himself... after requesting progressive taxi instructions at the airport he's had his airplane at for 20 years.
As a CFI, I've seen way more than a few of the old grandpa-types who should have had the keys to the airplane AND the car taken away many years prior.... but are still flying because they have a friend who will sign off their flight review. Usually losing the medical is the only way these guys stop flying. I flew with one such individual a few months ago, and just the other day I saw him taxiing out by himself... after requesting progressive taxi instructions at the airport he's had his airplane at for 20 years.
It is way too easy to get a driver's license in this country. Flying is a bigger responsibility. A third-class is not tough. Not good enough to get one? Sorry.
10-24-2011, 03:05 PM
#16
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
That's why they have the sport pilot ticket, no medical needed. You can drive like grandma the day she wrapped her mint '89 Mercury Marquis around a telephone pole and still be golden for flight.
The regs on that are under 14 CFR FAR 61.3 (c)(2)(ii).
The regs on that are under 14 CFR FAR 61.3 (c)(2)(ii).
10-24-2011, 04:45 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: FO
Posts: 266
Fly Gliders
(b) Operations not requiring a medical certificate. A person is not required to hold a medical certificate—
(1) When exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while seeking
(i) A sport pilot certificate with glider or balloon privileges; or
(ii) A pilot certificate with a glider category rating or balloon class rating;
(2) When exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate with privileges in a glider or balloon;
(3) When exercising the privileges of a pilot certificate with a glider category rating or balloon class rating in a glider or a balloon, as appropriate;
10-26-2011, 10:05 PM
#18
I'm a man of my word.
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Devil's Advocate
Posts: 2,883
And what happens if the old timer without a medical keels over and dies in flight? Do the people on the ground deserve to die if he lands on their house? At least I know the risk I am taking by getting behind the wheel of my car and venturing out onto the roads. But sitting at home? That's not fair.
10-27-2011, 05:34 AM
#19
Self Employed.
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Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Old timers
I would like to point out that old timers can already fly on a drivers license medical. This provision only serves to extend those privileges to slightly larger planes the Cessna 150 or 172.
Skyhigh
Skyhigh
10-28-2011, 01:30 PM
#20
Works Every Weekend
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,210
Understood. It's the airspace issue that concerns me the most. Although airspace restrictions are only good if people follow them. If someone has a lack of skill great enough that we need to exclude them from tower-controlled airspace, then I would assume that they also lack the skill to find which airspace that can/can't be in. I personally don't care if they're flying a Champ or a 152.
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