Do Not Voluntarily Surrender Your Medical In Anticipation Of Third Class Medical Rule Changes

EAA puts out a lot of good information, but this one really got our attention. It appears there is some bad information running around about how to deal with, and anticipate, third class medical reform. We are reprinting a message issued by EAA that is important for anyone that plans to take advantage of third class medical regulation changes.

“It has come to EAA’s attention that some pilots have been counseled to voluntarily surrender their medical certificates in anticipation of the implementation of aeromedical reform provisions signed into law in July. Some claims have been made that such surrenders preserve a pilot’s eligibility to fly under the new law, which the FAA has been directed to implement by mid-January.

“The FAA generally treats a voluntary surrender of a medical certificate as a revocation, which would make the pilot ineligible to fly under the provisions of PBOR2 as well as the current sport pilot rules.

“Pilots are always free to allow a medical to lapse at any time and preserve their eligibility.

“If at any point the FAA would like a medical certificate to be returned (usually during the application process), they will make the request abundantly clear.

“The same applies to other certificates. The decision to surrender should never be made lightly or without consultation with an aviation attorney.

“EAA’s Legal Advisory Council stands ready to answer basic questions for members, and its Aeromedical Advisory Council and Pilot Advocate AMEs stand ready to help members with medical questions. Call 800-564-6322 for more information.”

Here’s a few other reminders that we would like to add to EAA’s concerns. The new third class medical reform does not eliminate the need for a third class medical in all cases; it modifies the third class medical requirement. For example, a student in training for a private pilot certificate will have to obtain a third class medical certificate at least once.

If a third class medical certificate has been suspended or revoked, the issue was must be resolved in order to exercise private pilot privileges. Also remember that medical rules for sport pilot operation have not changed under the third class medical reform. By voluntarily surrendering a medical certificate, you could place yourself in a position where it would not be legal to operate as a sport pilot.

The best advice we at ANN can offer is to just sit tight with whatever your medical situation is until the FAA has actually issued the reform regulations.

FMI: www.eaa.org