Key among the provisions in the new rule is the driver’s license as proof of medical fitness. Essentially, almost anyone who has a valid driver’s license can legally fly an LSA. But there are caveats, some of them legal, some of them moral. On the legal side, anyone who has been denied a third-class medical will not be issued a Sport Pilot certificate even if they have a driver’s license. They must satisfy the FAA that the medical condition that prompted the previous denial has been fixed or is under control. But there’s also the onus of self-certification on the pilot. Although there’s not much the FAA can do to prevent someone with serious health problems who’s never applied for a medical from hopping in the left seat, it does ask that prospective pilots use common sense and consult with their doctors before starting to fly.
…CHANGES: Medical Qualifications Altered…
Key Takeaways:
- The new rule primarily allows a valid driver's license to serve as proof of medical fitness for flying Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).
- Individuals previously denied a third-class medical certificate cannot use a driver's license; they must resolve the underlying medical condition with the FAA.
- Pilots are ethically obligated to self-certify their fitness and are encouraged to consult their doctors before flying, even if the FAA has no direct way to prevent those with unaddressed health problems from flying if they've never applied for a medical.
See a mistake? Contact us.
