Not to be pushy, but...

[SkyHog]

Where are we on getting the FAA out of the great medical scam?

My father has cancer and is nearing end of life. It sure would be nice to be able to spend more time in Albuquerque by flying down, rather than wasting an entire day driving down and an entire day driving back up.

Fun story - he fell recently due to tumors that had spread to his back. Went into emergency surgery where they tried to remove the tumors, messed up, and now he's paralyzed waist down. I immediately headed to ABQ, where I arrived 7 hours later and spent the week there. Would have been so much more convenient to fly, as I could have been there in about 2 or less hours instead.

So...is the FAA ever gonna get off their duff and make this happen?

 

[GRG55]

Is this what you are asking about?

http://generalaviationnews.com/2016/07/19/third-class-medical-reform-reality/

Third class medical reform reality
JULY 19, 2016

On July 15, general aviation changed forever.

That’s when President Barack Obama signed into law an FAA authorization extension that includes third class medical reform.

“Medical reforms are now the law, and that’s a big win for general aviation,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Mark Baker.

“This is the most significant legislative victory for general aviation in decades.”...

 

[SkyHog]

Is this what you are asking about?

http://generalaviationnews.com/2016/07/19/third-class-medical-reform-reality/

Third class medical reform reality
JULY 19, 2016

On July 15, general aviation changed forever.

That’s when President Barack Obama signed into law an FAA authorization extension that includes third class medical reform.

“Medical reforms are now the law, and that’s a big win for general aviation,” said Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President Mark Baker.

“This is the most significant legislative victory for general aviation in decades.”...

Yep. So when will the FAA actually do it? Any news other than "They're the FAA, so they'll drag their feet until the last minute?"

 

[MikeFlies]

Yep. So when will the FAA actually do it? Any news other than "They're the FAA, so they'll drag their feet until the last minute?"

The FAA has until next July to implement the rules. If they don't implement the new regs by next July then you'll be free to fly without a medical certificate (sorta) until the regs are implemented. Or something.

It's all rather confusing and I'm not a lawyer. Seems easier at this point just to get a new 3rd Class.

 

[SkyHog]

The FAA has until next July to implement the rules. If they don't implement the new regs by next July then you'll be free to fly without a medical certificate (sorta) until the regs are implemented. Or something.

It's all rather confusing and I'm not a lawyer. Seems easier at this point just to get a new 3rd Class.

It would be easier if the FAA didn't have their heads up their ass regarding what was a disqualifying condition before the regulations.

I was hoping maybe someone might have heard something about the FAA actually taking time to do right by its pilots (you know, doing their job for a change). Probably too lofty of an aspiration. So July next year, most likely?

 

[rk911]

Yep. So when will the FAA actually do it? Any news other than "They're the FAA, so they'll drag their feet until the last minute?"

yup.

 

[denverpilot]

Frankly... not sure driving or flying when in a hurry to see a sick parent is always a "distraction free" thing. With fall weather here, flying may not be the smartest choice anyway.

Sorry about your dad. Spend as much time down there as you can. No point in being mad at FAA about the timing.

 

[Bill]

Sorry about your dad. Spend as much time down there as you can. No point in being mad at FAA about the timing.

Nick, sorry about your Dad, I lost both parents to cancer. When Dad was sick, I resigned myself to flying commercial[1], and glad I did.

[1] Quick weekend trips, fly out Friday night after work, fly back Sunday night. Schedule was king, as I needed to get there/back on time. No regrets.

 

[EppyGA]

Of course you could fly an LSA now.

 

[Jeffythequick]

Of course you could fly an LSA now.

Not if you've been denied 3rd Class by the FAA.

It's the 'Hotel California.' You can check out, but you can never leave.

 

[BigBadLou]

It's the 'Hotel California.' You can check out, but you can never leave.

I see what you did there.

SkyHog, you seem like a healthy young man (in your avatar) so why not get a 3rd class right now to fly to see your father? If that had been the only thing stopping me from seeing my father before he passed away, I would have done it in a heart beat.

And sorry to hear about your situation. Hope you get to spend as much time with your father as you can. Best wishes.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

SkyHog, you seem like a healthy young man (in your avatar) so why not get a 3rd class right now to fly to see your father? If that had been the only thing stopping me from seeing my father before he passed away, I would have done it in a heart beat.

You haven't been following Nick's saga, have you?

 

[BigBadLou]

You haven't been following Nick's saga, have you?

Negative. I do not know every single pilot here, sorry. Way too many people for me to keep track.

 

[flyingriki]

After all the phony hoopla I can't believe it's going to be a smooth transition. Something will come up and screw the pooch, as we say in construction, and the Feds won't let go easily. They have so little interest in doing good for us any more it isn't going to change much. I admire the optimists but think they are fooling themselves.

 

[bbchien]

Well I'm not at liberty to say much but I will say that SkyHog's situation is more of a failure of insurance to cover what we here in the Midwest consider USUAL CARE.

One hand of the administration giveth, and the other taketh away under the guise of "cutting 50 Billion of fraud out of healthcare in the next ten years (translation: make it cheap).

 

[SkyHog]

Well I'm not at liberty to say much but I will say that SkyHog's situation is more of a failure of insurance to cover what we here in the Midwest consider USUAL CARE.

One hand of the administration giveth, and the other taketh away under the guise of "cutting 50 Billion of fraud out of healthcare in the next ten years (translation: make it cheap).

I don't know if I can waive HIPAA via a post on a forum, but if so, you have my blessing.

Just don't talk about my erectile disfunction or giant boobies. Or my horrid case of genital warts.

But either way, the good doc is right. I probably could have found a way through my issues if I threw enough cash at it. Insurance figured that normal specialist doctors were "quackery" because they figured I enjoy having doctors touch my junk.

But I figure that even getting somewhere via cash is giving the FAA too much credit. They'd have been more satisfied if I just avoided diagnosis in the first place. "A sick pilot is a safe pilot:" their slogan.

And they don't even know about my fat induced apnea that is well treated by CPAP yet. God knows what "issue" the FAA would find with that.

 

[Jeffythequick]

But I figure that even getting somewhere via cash is giving the FAA too much credit. They'd have been more satisfied if I just avoided diagnosis in the first place. "A sick pilot is a safe pilot:" their slogan.

When I talked to the FSDO medical people, I said, "In order to fly, I have to lie."

They thought that was funny.

 

[old cfi]

I have one of these shirts. Think every GA pilot ought to have one and wear it proudly!!!!! Unfortunately the FAA has absolutely no sense of humor and if you were seen wearing it they would turn themselves inside out to write you up for something.