EAA, AOPA Exemption Requests For Rec Pilot Driver's License Medical Denied

A much-wished-for request for an exemption to permit recreational pilot certificate holders to conduct flight activities using a current and valid US driver's license, instead of an FAA-issued medical certificate, was denied by the FAA Flight Standards Office on Thursday, March 6th.

EAA, which filed their request on September 26, 2002, sought to use a proposed five-year exemption to collect data and establish a basis for eliminating third-class medical certificate requirement for recreational pilots. AOPA also filed petitions last year (denied last Fall) and another earlier this year, asking for similar consideration, which was also denied on March 6 by the FAA.

According to the letter received from Louis Cusimano, Acting Director of FAA Flight Standards Service, FAA fully considered EAA's petition but determined the exemption would not be in the public interest.

"The FAA is currently working on a related rulemaking action for light-sport pilots that will address issues similar to those raised in this petition for exemption," he wrote. "FAA is not seeking to obtain information, data or experience beyond what we will get from operations under the sport pilot rule."

Earl Lawrence (right), EAA Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, expressed disappointment in the decision. "We feel the two studies (sport pilot/recreational pilot) could have been run concurrently," he said.

"This would have provided FAA with an expanded baseline with which to make future decisions."

EAA understands that simplified medical certification continues to be a major issue for our members. 

The EAA Government Relations Department will continue to monitor the progress of Sport Pilot as it relates to Recreational Pilots' ability to use a driver's license as medical certification, and continue to provide data in support of this beneficial change for pilots.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.eaa.org, www.aopa.org