Changes To The Third Class Medical Rules Are Important, But Let’s Take A Look At The Health Of Sport Pilot

Here we are on day one of EAA AirVenture 2016 and, as usual, recreational aviation is on display at its best. We’ve already heard some talk about the future of sport pilot because of proposed changes to the third class medical requirements. Well, there’s more to sport pilot than the issue of the medical.

There seems to be a misconception that everyone who receives a sport pilot certificate, or exercises sport pilot privileges is doing so only because a sport pilot doesn’t require an FAA medical certificate…that’s not true. Another misconception is that proposed medical reform legislation will eliminate the third class medical…it doesn’t.

Because of this linking sport pilot to not requiring a medical certificate as being the primary reason for sport pilot, it’s easy to miss the true value the sport pilot certificate provides for bringing new people into aviation. The fact is, sport pilot provides an excellent first step to becoming a pilot at about one half the cost of becoming a private pilot. Whether a medical is involved or not, this lower entry cost to becoming a certificated sport pilot cannot be overlooked.

The Crabtree Aviation Company, a flight school in Guthrie, Oklahoma (that’s just north of Oklahoma City), has been in business for more years than owner, Glenn Crabtree, would probably like to admit. In the Fall of last year he placed an Aeronca Champion into service to provide sport pilot training. At last report, Glenn says business is good and both he and the airplane are keeping busy. He also said he is marketing his sport pilot course based on the low cost, not on the issue of medical certification…and it’s working!

And just in case you’re thinking that performing primary training for a sport pilot in a taildragger is more difficult and therefore more costly, that’s not the case. The fact is, students that start their training in a taildragger simply learn how to fly it, and they are not even aware that a taildragger must be “tamed” (Another AeroSports Update article will say more about this at the end of this week.)

While the medical reform bills are still being kicked around in Congress, as they are written at this time, a third class medical is still required (at least once) to obtain a private pilot certificate. And, the requirement for some medical conditions necessitating a special issuance certificate still exist.

Whenever we hear talk about the medical changes killing off sport pilot, it’s a great disservice to a certification that can help grow general aviation…and growth what we all want.

(Image Aeronca Champ provided by Crabtree Aircraft Co.)

FMI: www.crabtreeaircraft.net  FAA Pilot Certification