GA Advocates Push For Medical Reform In Congress

As the latest version of the Pilot's Bill of Rights works its way through Congress, 17 aviation-advocacy groups have filed a letter in support of an amendment they say would make the bill more responsive to the needs of general aviation pilots. The advocates say the amendment, offered by Senator Joe Manchin, D-W.V., would "ensure pilots receive critical safety information as part of their preflight preparation, provides protections to volunteer pilots who fly in the public interest, and reforms the cumbersome and costly third-class medical process for general aviation pilots." The bill is scheduled to be acted on today by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

The proposed third-class medical reforms could save pilots more than $20 million each year and save the FAA approximately $2.5 million each year, according to AOPA. "We have never been closer to achieving meaningful third-class medical reform, and this letter is indicative of the widespread support this measure enjoys in the general aviation community," said AOPA President Mark Baker. "Pilots want and need relief from the outdated and unreasonably burdensome third-class medical process, and this legislation would allow hundreds of thousands of pilots to fly safely while saving them, and the FAA, both time and money." The Manchin Amendment also includes reforms to the Notam program, AOPA said, and provides protections to volunteer pilots who fly in the public interest.