Originally Posted by
lifter123
This could burden the GA population in a big way. I'm assuming the guidelines apply to all classes of medicals??
I knew a guy a couple years ago. Local private pilot, owned a 172 and had been flying for years. He wasn't skinny by any means, but your typical 45 year old American, I guess. OKC deferred his medical pending a sleep apnea study. The test was over $4000. He just said f** it and sold his plane.
My guess is that a lot of recreational type flyers would do the same if faced with the same situation. Another expense that will put GA out of reach.
Why is it the burden of the pilot to prove he is healthy? If a government entity needs a physical done, said entity should be required to foot the bill. A friend of mine had to spend $1000s of dollars in psychiatrist bills to prove to the FAA he was no crazy because of an erroneous failed drug test 15 years prior. How is that fair?