Six seats, under 6000lb, day/night VFR on driver's license?

[MrMorden]

Some in Congress decided to take the driver's license medical proposal out of FAA's hands since they dragged feet on it so long...

http://www.aopa.org/....aspx?CMP=ADV:1

It's like a wish list for sport pilots and guys worried about their medical.

[FlyingForFun]

Delete

[drseti]

This would be a great thing, and as I see it would in no way harm the LSA movement. Yes, one needs to be a PPL or above to fly these aircraft, which means the pilot must have been able to pass a third class medical at some point. For those who aren't already PPL, or can't pass a third class for whatever reason, LSA will remain a viable option. And the operating costs and maintenance options for LSA will still be attractive to some people. So I see absolutely no reason for the LSA community to oppose this legislation. Fingers crossed!

[dstclair]

The Bill is pretty short. Salient section:

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the
4 date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
5 Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or revise med-
6 ical certification regulations to ensure that an individual
7 may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft
8 without regard to any medical certification or proof of
9 health requirement otherwise applicable under Federal law
10 if—
11 (1) the individual possesses a valid State driv-
12 er’s license and complies with any medical require-
13 ment associated with that license;
14 (2) the individual is transporting not more than
15 5 passengers;
16 (3) the individual is operating under visual
17 flight rules; and
18 (4) the relevant flight, including each portion
19 thereof, is not carried out—
20 (A) for compensation, including that no
21 passenger or property on the flight is being car-
22 ried for compensation;
23 (B) at an altitude that is more than
24 14,000 feet above mean sea level;

Actually quite a bit more latitude than the EAA/AOPA proposal. Could be that the bill is overly broad for negotiation reasons or they want to force the FAA to approve the existing proposal. Or neither

For those PP's currently flying with SP privileges in an LSA, you could get back:

* Flying VFR over a cloud layer
* Night Flying (if manufacturer approved)
* Flying in furtherance of a business
* Flying above 10K feet and 2K over terrain. I'd assume the real regs will have the 14K feet and 2K AGL language.

I've got my tea leaves out and crystal ball. I'd guess the passage of this (or adoption of the petition) will raise the cost of used 4/6 seaters and, potentially, lower the cost of S-LSAs. Probably doesn't increase the airplane market; just may shift the demand.

[Merlinspop]

I find myself checking out Controller.com for Cherokees, Archers, Pathfinders and Tigers. Maybe even the good ole Tomahawk... I'm one of the few who actually love that plane.

[FastEddieB]

Here's hoping.

It would give me a lot more options.

Though I'd almost certainly stay with Experimental Light Sport - the ability to do my own maintenance, mods and annuals is a huge plus.

[FlyingForFun]

Delete

[designrs]

This would be a great thing, and as I see it would in no way harm the LSA movement. Yes, one needs to be a PPL or above to fly these aircraft, which means the pilot must have been able to pass a third class medical at some point. For those who aren't already PPL, or can't pass a third class for whatever reason, LSA will remain a viable option. And the operating costs and maintenance options for LSA will still be attractive to some people. So I see absolutely no reason for the LSA community to oppose this legislation. Fingers crossed!

Would you really still need a medical to get the Private Pilot?
What's the point? Either you need a medical to fly or you don't.

[FlyingForFun]

Delete

[designrs]

Will Congress be able to push it through without the FAA?
Or will the FAA finally be forced to act before and/or when Congress does?

[Daidalos]

Some in Congress decided to take the driver's license medical proposal out of FAA's hands since they dragged feet on it so long...

http://www.aopa.org/....aspx?CMP=ADV:1

It's like a wish list for sport pilots and guys worried about their medical.

I tried the link above and it was broken. Anyone have another link?

No even the current proposal fro the EAA/AOPA would result in creased used A/C prices. Just look at the Ercoupe 415C versus other newer model Ercoupes.

[designrs]

Here's the first paragraph from AOPA ePilot:

"New bill would expand driver's license medical

After nearly two years of FAA inaction on the AOPA/EAA third-class medical petition, Congress has taken matters into its own hands, offering up legislation that would vastly expand the number of pilots who could fly without going through the expensive and time-consuming third-class medical certification process. Reps. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.), a member of the House General Aviation Caucus, and GA Caucus Co-Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) on Dec. 11 introduced the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act. The legislation would dramatically expand the parameters for flying under the driver's license medical standard. Rokita and Graves are both AOPA members and active pilots... "

[FlyingForFun]

Delete

[David Pavlich]

The Bill is pretty short. Salient section:

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the
4 date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
5 Federal Aviation Administration shall issue or revise med-
6 ical certification regulations to ensure that an individual
7 may operate as pilot in command of a covered aircraft
8 without regard to any medical certification or proof of
9 health requirement otherwise applicable under Federal law
10 if—
11 (1) the individual possesses a valid State driv-
12 er’s license and complies with any medical require-
13 ment associated with that license;
14 (2) the individual is transporting not more than
15 5 passengers;
16 (3) the individual is operating under visual
17 flight rules; and
18 (4) the relevant flight, including each portion
19 thereof, is not carried out—
20 (A) for compensation, including that no
21 passenger or property on the flight is being car-
22 ried for compensation;
23 (B) at an altitude that is more than
24 14,000 feet above mean sea level;

Actually quite a bit more latitude than the EAA/AOPA proposal. Could be that the bill is overly broad for negotiation reasons or they want to force the FAA to approve the existing proposal. Or neither

For those PP's currently flying with SP privileges in an LSA, you could get back:

* Flying VFR over a cloud layer
* Night Flying (if manufacturer approved)
* Flying in furtherance of a business
* Flying above 10K feet and 2K over terrain. I'd assume the real regs will have the 14K feet and 2K AGL language.

I've got my tea leaves out and crystal ball. I'd guess the passage of this (or adoption of the petition) will raise the cost of used 4/6 seaters and, potentially, lower the cost of S-LSAs. Probably doesn't increase the airplane market; just may shift the demand.

The way the above legislative legaleeze reads, no previous 3rd class medical will be required...unless I'm missing something.

David

[FlyingForFun]

Delete