Agency Responds To Concerns From Industry Groups

The FAA announced it is postponing implementation of a new medical certification policy that would classify medical certification applications with incomplete paperwork as denied, rather than deferred, as they were previously. 

Rather than January 1, 2025, the new policy will take effect on March 1, 2025.

The FAA’s decision comes after 14 aviation associations and unions voiced their strong concerns in a letter to Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup on December 13, 2024. The new policy would have severe ramifications for pilots, who would be required to report the denials on future medical applications as well as employment forms.

Categorizing medical certification applications that require additional information into the same bucket as applications denied for actual medical reasons is very misleading because of the siginificant likelihood that hiring managers would not be aware of this change in policy.

Many members of the signatory groups in the letter are commercial pilots, and the unintended consequences of the policy change could be catastrophic for those who could potentially lose their livelihoods.

The signatories commend the FAA for its rapid response and willingness to engage with the aviation community over these concerns. The agency will hold a listening session with aviation associations in January 2025 and it intends to provide pilots with more information about the change in policy as well.

We will continue to follow this issue and keep readers informed because we believe that the agency should be utilizing a fair process to evaluate the fitness of pilots to fly.

FMI:  www.faa.gov