You Never Know What You’re Gonna Get

By Gene Yarbrough

One definition of chaos is getting an unpredictable, non-repeatable output for a given input. The recent political and regulatory actions of FAA match this model. Public intuition expects FAA to take actions that are in the best interest of the aviating public, apparently this notion is counterintuitive. Just last week FAA announced forming an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to create more streamlined regulations for manufacturing Part 23 aircraft in response to House Bill H.R. 1848, yet have made no meaningful movement on the EAA/AOPA Third Class Medical Waiver. While it’s commendable to make it easier to certify new airplanes and parts, not acting on regulations to promote pilot genesis and retention is counterproductive to all other concerns given the dire climate of general aviation today.

The third class medical is a major hindrance to a great many people that would otherwise be actively participating in all aspects of owning and/or operating a personal /general aviation aircraft. On its face the AOPA/EAA petition makes sound, logical, and beneficial sense. There have been many arguments against the third class medical to the point where it is a commonly accepted notion in the aviation community that a third class medical, or any medical certification for that matter, is only valid for the time the person is in front of the medical examiner. When the person leaves the examiner’s office there is no residual assurance of the person’s fitness or health, only the probability of such. The reality is every person must certify themselves as to fitness to aviate immediately before they commit the act.

When AOPA/EAA petitioned FAA for alternative compliance via education in medical and human factors affecting aviators it seemed a “no-brainer” and was met with exuberance from the general flying population. But apparently there are other “considerations” at work within the Empire. FAA is mandated with assuring the safety of the flying public AND the general public. If actions are any indications FAA is achieving this mandate by destroying the ability for the “average” person to own and operate an aircraft for personal uses. There is no mandate for FAA to promote general aviation, but there should be.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are Constitution granted rights. I would submit that owning and operating an airplane falls under this clause. When will the people involved in this industry stand up en masse’ and demand FAA release its stranglehold?

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