I received another email from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association regarding HR3708, so I figured I’d post about it. It seems to be a good idea, and the AOPA has been working for years to get this passed.
Congressional Bill H.R. 3708 has been introduced to the 113th Congress. The purpose of the bill is “to direct the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to issue or revise regulations with respect to the medical certification of certain small aircraft pilots, and for other purposes.”
From the email:
As you may know, AOPA and EAA petitioned the FAA nearly two years ago to exempt certain recreational pilots from requiring a Third Class Medical in order to fly. But despite 16,000 positive public comments, the FAA has dragged its feet and refused to act.
Now, with AOPA’s support, Congress has taken the matter into its own hands – with the introduction of HR 3708, the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act (GAPPA) of 2013.
If this bill becomes law, more than 100,000 GA pilots could soon be allowed to fly WITHOUT a medical – simply by complying with state driver’s license medical requirements!!!
This bill would apply to ALL pilots not flying for compensation operating under VFR, in aircraft with up to six seats, up to 6,000 pounds gross weight, on flights below 14,000 MSL.
By abolishing the Third Class Medical requirement for more than 100,000 pilots, this bill could save our GA pilot community more than $10 million per year in exam fees. And, thousands of pilots who’ve quit flying because of minor medical issues could get back in the air with no negative impact on safety.
We need your grassroots voice and strength to pass this bill into law.
Apparently, I’m pretty important. If you’re a pilot, you might want to look into this bill.