Third-class medical reform legislation didn’t make it out of a Senate committee Wednesday, but the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 remained intact as far as its key components, including exemptions for private pilots with current third-class medicals. During the markup session of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, two amendments proposed by ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., were voted down, including one that would have required creating a “checklist” of medical conditions for physicians to complete when examining pilots. The session ended in a deferral of S. 571 mid-vote, when the panel realized it did not have a quorum and adjourned for the day.AOPA President Mark Baker told AVweb that despite the delay, he feels good about where the legislation stands. Third-class exemptions stand to save pilots money in medical exams and special issuance expenses, “about a quarter billion dollars over the next 10 years,” he said.“We do think there are thousands and thousands and thousands, tens of thousands of pilots,that willget back into the game. This will be good for FBOs, it will be good for people pumping gas and selling airplanes,” he said.
EAA also remained optimistic the bill can still make it to the Senate floor. “While the scheduling conflicts that prevented a final committee vote today is unfortunate, the bill continues to hold bipartisan support from 69 senators and is ready to move forward after completion of today’s debate,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “We urge the committee to continue its work on this important legislation as soon as possible.”The Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2 would exempt private pilots with medicals from recurring visits to an aviation medical examiner if they self-certify their fitness to fly, take an online aeromedical course biennially, and visit a doctor at least once every four years. Pilots who don’t yet have a medical or have had their medical lapse for more than 10 years also would need a one-time visit to an AME to obtain certification. The new requirements would apply to private pilots flying aircraft that meet certain criteria, including weighing under 6,000 pounds. Seventeen aviation organizations sent a letter to the committee this week urging the bill’s release to the Senate floor.
