ALPA opposes third-class medical reform
 

I'm speechless....


Page Not Found - AOPA






June 23, 2015


Dear Senator:


On behalf of the 52,000 pilots at 31 passenger and cargo airlines represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), I want to make you aware of ALPA's opposition to S.Amdt.2267, filed by Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to H.R. 22. ALPA disagrees with the process and is fundamentally opposed to the dangerous policy shift proposed in the Manchin amendment. We do not believe a complex issue such as this should be attached to a surface transportation bill—especially in a year when both chambers must take up an FAA reauthorization bill that deals directly with issues such as this.


The amendment is a modified version of S. 571, the Pilot's Bill of Rights 2. Specifically, ALPA has grave concerns with how this amendment addresses the 3rd class medical requirement for general aviation pilots.


This legislation has the potential to allow medically unfit pilots unfettered access to the national airspace at altitudes up to 18,000 feet, which also includes commercial airline traffic carrying passengers and cargo. The amendment would eliminate the requirement that these pilots see an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) at regular intervals for mental and physical evaluation in order to show medical fitness to operate an aircraft. It also reduces the number of medical conditions that could disqualify a pilot from receiving a medical certificate and relies on the pilot to self-report when a disqualifying condition is identified. Even if a pilot develops and discloses a serious medical condition that creates risk in the national airspace, the amendment could prevent the FAA from ensuring that the pilot seek treatment.


ALPA has engaged with stakeholders to address concerns about medical evaluation processes for pilots who hold a 3rd class medical and intends to continue collaboration to ensure aviation safety for all pilots and passengers; however, we cannot allow bad policy to be forced through on an unrelated bill. A common-sense solution is within reach, but the amendment as written introduces a level of risk within the national airspace, which we cannot support.


We urge you to vote no on the Manchin amendment.


Sincerely,


Tim Canoll, President

Pathetic. Wait til ALPA finds out about LSA aircraft and pilots. Completely lame argument by ALPA. Hopefully the reform passes.

Perhaps ALPA should fix their own internal shortcomings rather interfere with AOPA's dedicated efforts concerning Medical reform.

If they really want to push for safety, give GA the medical reform they want but insist on improved transponder inspections and perhaps either dual transponders or radio contact with ATC for certain airspace. One xpdr that was inspected around a year ago in a plane with a guy not talking to anyone is not enough of a safety net.

Already required for Class B, C, D airspace, not much left is there?

GF

Was there some kind of vote or survey in which 52,000 airline pilots voiced their opposition and authorized ALPA to make such a statement to Congress on their behalf?

There's a lot of really busy E that only relies on one old transponder checked around a year ago. And enough of the ridiculous class B shelves; if they want that the responsibility should be 100% on ATC to slow 121 traffic down, not one pilot heads down in charts plotting radials while the other, even if they can identify it, drops slats and flies 7+ degrees nose high, low energy and slow for the supposed purpose of traffic avoidance.

ADS-B is going to make transponders obsolete in 5 years.

ALPA should not support lowering the standards for medical certificates. It is ridiculous that anyone would expect otherwise.

Oh then ALPA shouldn't support HIMS, waivers, nor SODAs. Wouldn't want to lower FAA medical standards would we? :rolleyes: