Aeromedical

FAA Paperwork Medical Denials Delayed ‘Indefinitely’

Sources have told AVweb that a controversial FAA policy to turn incompletely documented medical deferrals into denials has been indefinitely deferred. The policy was supposed to have come into effect on Jan.1, but opposition from a broad base of GA groups prompted a deferral until March 1. The indefinite delay was communicated to AMEs on […]

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FAA Postpones Medical Certification Changes

The FAA has backtracked on a policy change regarding medical denials and deferrals after facing backlash from the industry. Five days after receiving a letter from 14 pilot organizations, the agency says it has deferred implementation of the policy pending further consultation. The new policy would have resulted in medical deferrals sent to the agency […]

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Pilot Groups Want FAA Denial Policy Stayed

A total of 14 groups representing a broad range of pilots is asking the FAA to defer a new medical certification policy that could dramatically increase the number of denials issued. As we reported earlier, effective Jan. 1 the agency will deny medicals to pilots whose deferrals are not accompanied by all the required examinations […]

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New Medical Denials Raise Concerns

The FAA says those who have their medicals denied under a new deferral processing policy will not necessarily be disqualified from obtaining medical certification through BasicMed. Effective Jan.1, anyone whose medical deferral is not accompanied by all the necessary paperwork and reports will have their medical denied. A medical denial makes a pilot ineligible for […]

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BasicMed Restrictions Relaxed

In compliance with the most recent FAA reauthorization, the agency has expanded the aircraft size and passenger load permitted under BasicMed. Those who use the self-reporting medical regime can now use it to operate aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of up to 12,500 pounds (up from 6,000 pounds) and carry up to six passengers […]

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Pilots On Ground Coach Passenger In Landing King Air

A passenger took control of a King Air C90 from its incapacitated pilot over Southern California on Friday and managed to put it safely on a runway at Meadows Field in Bakersfield. The plane ran off the end of the runway but was undamaged and no one was injured. First responders performed CPR at the […]

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TV Documentary Looks At Pilot Mental Health

A New York Times documentary looks into the mental health issues affecting the aviation industry and builds the case using the sensational story of an Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to crash a plane he was on last fall. Capt. Joe Emerson was in the jump seat of the E175 hitching a ride to San […]

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