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The FAA will get a 14-month funding extension that includes third-class medical reform as part of joint approvals announced Wednesday by House and Senate transportation committees. The extension (PDF) would take effect when the FAA’s current authorization expires on July 15 and continue through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2017. Medical reform, which would permanently remove the private-pilot medical for those flying light aircraft, has been passed multiple times by the Senate as part of other legislation. The announcement indicates there will be bicameral support for the funding extension, giving GA organizations confidence that the change will make it to President Obama’s desk for signing before Congress adjourns next week. As worded, the FAA will be given one year to put the third-class medical changes into effect.

“Medical reform is long overdue and we look forward to seeing the House and Senate pass this legislation in the coming days,” AOPA President Mark Baker said. “Including third class medical reform in this package is great news for general aviation and we’re very pleased to see it moving forward as part of the FAA extension.” Jack Pelton, CEO and chairman of EAA, said, "This has been slow, painstaking work, but important work, as EAA members have told us this is the top legislative priority. As we mentioned often since the beginning of this effort, bringing change through legislation is not quick or easy. EAA and AOPA have fought every day to overcome significant hurdles in Congress and will continue to do so until aeromedical reform is signed into law."

Other regulations in the bill call for the FAA to develop tighter monitoring of unmanned aircraft systems breaching airspace and other safety-sensitive sites, as well as up to $20,000 in penalties for drone users who interfere with emergency response operations such as wildfire fighting. There also are provisions addressing issues arising from two high-profile airline crashes. The FAA would enhance mental health screening for pilots undergoing first- and second-class medical exams, as had been discussed following the 2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 crash in France. The agency also would be required to review its guidance on flight crew training for cockpit automation and manual flying skills, following the 2013 crash of an Asiana Boeing 777 in San Francisco.

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Vaughn DeCoster
Cirrus SR20, N77ZX
flydoc@live.com
Cell 479.445.9814

Medical reform has passed the House, now all we need is the President's signature:

General-aviation advocates are confident that medical reform will be a reality soon, after the House last night passed an FAA funding bill that includes changes to the medical certification system for pilots. The Senate is expected to okay the bill later this week, and send it to President Obama for final approval. “This is a major step forward and makes us more optimistic that our efforts can finally reach the finish line,” EAA chairman Jack Pelton said in a statement released late last night. “While there are still some steps remaining, this is absolutely the farthest advance for aeromedical reform in a quarter century of efforts.” Provisions in the bill would eliminate the need for recurrent medical exams for most general-aviation pilots.

“The money and time that pilots and the federal government put into the third-class medical process can now be invested in programs and activities that actually make aviation safer,” AOPA President Mark Baker said last night. After the president signs the bill into law, the FAA will have up to one year to develop and issue regulations before the third-class medical provisions become effective. But the 10-year reachback that will allow many pilots to fly without needing another FAA medical exam will take effect when the bill is signed by the president, AOPA said. In addition to medical reforms, the legislation requires the FAA to develop regulations for marking towers between 50 and 200 feet tall.

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Vaughn DeCoster
Cirrus SR20, N77ZX
flydoc@live.com
Cell 479.445.9814

The bill is on the President's desk for signature. Still holding my breath.

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Steve Eberhart, W9JUQ (Jig Uncle Queen)
3EV - Evansville, IN

RV-7A Slider, O-360 A1A, Catto 3 blade, Garmin G3X, Bionics APRS. FLYING since June 24, 2009

MEDICAL REFORM BECOMES LAW
PRESIDENT SIGNS FAA EXTENSION
President Barack Obama on July 15 signed third class medical reforms into law as part of an FAA authorization extension passed by the House and Senate days earlier. With the president’s signature, which came just hours before the FAA’s authorization was set to expire at midnight, medical reforms became law and the clock started ticking on an FAA mandate to translate that law into regulations.

_________________
Vaughn DeCoster
Cirrus SR20, N77ZX
flydoc@live.com
Cell 479.445.9814