AOPA and EAA report the FAA opened its official comment period June 12 for an exemption to third class medical certificate regulations filed jointly by AOPA and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Supports have only 20 days-until July 2-to submit comments, which is shorter than the usual 30- or 60-day period established for comments.
"We urge those who have not commented on our exemption request to do so within the 20-day timeframe, because this request opens an important discussion about creating more possibilities to participate in aviation while maintaining a high safety standard," said Robert Hackman, AOPA vice president of regulatory affairs. "Now is the time to make your voice heard on this important initiative."
AOPA and EAA chose the exemption route for the third class medical certificate due to the amount of time it takes to get a rulemaking package through the entire regulatory process. The model for the exemption is the successful sport pilot self-certification initiative that was approved in 2004. Thanks to that initiative, the industry has tangible data from the sport pilot experience showing that medical self-certification in this segment does not diminish aviation safety. Currently no sport pilot accidents have been shown to be associated with medical incapacitation. FMI: AOPA