Bolen: Move 'Could Save The FAA Significant Resources', Helping The Budget

The NBAA and GAMA both issued statements supporting the FAAs announcement Wednesday that the agency will begin a formal rule-making project to consider whether to allow private pilots, in certain instances, to use a driver’s license in lieu of an FAA medical certificate.

“We are pleased to hear the FAA is considering alternatives to an FAA medical certificate for certain pilots. Included in NBAA’s membership are pilot-businessmen, especially light business aircraft owners, who fly themselves in furtherance of their business needs and could benefit from relief from FAA third-class medical certification requirements,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.

“We believe a risk-based, studied approach to lessening the burden of medical certification requirements for some pilots could save the FAA significant resources at a time when every government man-hour and dollar spent needs to show a return. If an exemption to some medical certification requirements is allowed, the FAA’s scarce resources could be allocated to higher-risk oversight activities, even as a focus on safe flying would remain in place.”

The FAA’s announcement follows a joint petition by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association to the FAA to expand the third-class medical exemption. A related legislative proposal, the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act (GAPPA), is currently making its way through both the House and Senate. This legislation would exempt pilots who make noncommercial VFR flights in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds with no more than six seats from the third-class medical certification requirement. Pilots would be limited to carrying a maximum of five passengers, flying at altitudes below 14,000 feet MSL and at a speed no faster than 250 knots.

Rep. Todd Rokita (R-4-IN), a member of the House General Aviation Caucus, and General Aviation Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) introduced GAPPA in the House in December. The bill now has 86 bipartisan cosponsors. Senate General Aviation Caucus members Sens. John Boozman (R-AR), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) recently introduced an identical measure in the Senate.

“We are encouraged by the bipartisan support demonstrated in both the House and Senate for practical efforts to exempt certain pilots from third-class medical certification requirements,” Bolen said.

GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce (pictured) said the move will also ease a financial burden on pilots. “I want to applaud the FAA for undertaking this rulemaking effort," Bunce said. "If approved, this prudent rule will save both the government and pilots money in a time of tight budgets while ensuring a continued focus on safety.

"I also want to thank leaders in the U.S. Congress, including U.S. Congressmen Todd Rokita  and Sam Graves and U.S. Senators John Boozman, Jerry Moran, and Pat Roberts, for pushing this issue to the forefront. We look forward to contributing to the FAA’s effort and to seeing this rule move expeditiously.”

FMI: www.nbaa.org, www.gama.aero