Would End Exclusion For Balloon Pilots From Medical Certificate Requirements

The Balloon Federation of America is urging its members to contact members of the U.S. Senate concerning certain language in the FAA Reauthorization bill currently waiting action in the U.S. Senate.

The bill contains an amendment by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), known as the “Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2018” which calls for the FAA to revise 14CFR part 61.3(c) regarding second class medical certificates, such that balloon pilots would no longer be excluded from this requirement.

The BFA said in a post on Facebook that its Call to Action committee continues to work closely with the FAA on this issue to try to ensure that regulatory changes will include sensible measures. While that work continues, the association is encouraging its members to contact their U.S. Senators to express their opinions on this bill.

"Many of you have already contacted me to express your concerns about the language in “H.R.4” FAA Reauthorization Bill. Now is the time to communicate directly with your respective Senator," the post by Cheri White, BFA President states.

"We encourage you to express your own opinion, but I thought I would share some of the comments we are hearing from other BFA members:

• 'The language of the amendment is not aligned with the recommendations of the NTSB.'
• 'The Bill calls for an across-the-board medical requirement, whereas the NTSB calls for it to be applied to commercial pilots who are taking passengers for hire.'
• 'In our discussions with the FAA it has been clear that the intent of the bill is to focus on pilots engaging in commercial flying. However, some BFA members are concerned that the language of the bill is not clear and could apply to all balloon pilots – including private pilots. (**see note).'
• 'The amendment could cause a reduction in qualified instructors in the Ballooning Community.'
• 'There may be other or better ways to accomplish the intended safety goals.'

"**Note: while this is not our understanding of the bill, I wanted to acknowledge the concerns of some BFA members, and an alternative legal interpretation of the bill’s language," White wrote.

(Source: BFA Facebook page. Image from file)

FMI: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state, bfa.net