Medical Reform is changing right before our eyes. On November 18th of this year, this new reform (The Pilots Bill of Rights 2) was introduced to the Senate commerce. This new reform has amendments on it that could change general aviation as we know it. In an online article, it stated that this Bill had a few changes in it, one of those changes being, "If you’ve held a regular or special issuance medical within the past 10 years, you may never need to get another medical certificate. Although this is just a bill that has not been passed yet, it has been getting good reviews.
Another topic of discussion in this proposed Bill is that, "Among other things, the law requires the FAA to give written notice to these individuals of their rights when the FAA is investigating them." As far as being "for" this proposed idea, it informs pilots being investigated of their rights which would help a lot of pilots who don't necessarily know the law. And personally that makes sense because every pilot should be informed when being investigated. Now if someone were to be against this idea, one could say that ignorance of the law is no excuse. Which although ignorance is no excuse, being informed of one's rights can and probably will save many people when being investigated.
Personally, I believe that medical reform isn't really necessary. The way it is now where pilots need to keep renewing their medical is a huge positive considering people's medical status can change. And if this were to change, if someone were to pass their medical once than their medical status could change without anyone knowing, which could potentially have mazy hazards. It will be interesting to see what comes about this.
References:
1. Closer than ever. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/November/18/Closer-than-ever
2. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngoglia/2015/03/11/why-proposed-pilots-bill-of-rights-could-affect-air-safety/
This is very true, plus our system we have now gives pilots an incentive to stay in good health. Knowing that they don’t have to pass a medical for up to ten years could make pilots lazy. Like you had said, the pilots that go through this process could develop a problem over the years. What wasn’t a dangerous condition when a pilot received their medical could develop into one, and they could still be able to fly.
ReplyDeleteI believe the system that we have in place is working just fine, there is no need for a reform. Pilots have plenty of time before their medical expires, and if they can't obtain a medical then they probably shouldn't be flying especially when you consider how straight forward a medical exam is.
DeleteI am not a pilot, but I think a vast majority of pilots will continue to stay in good health as future legislation or company requirements could arise at any time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that is not really necessary and that the system we have now works just fine. Not to be a Debbie downer or anything but I personally don't have the faith that people will actually come forward and say that something in their health has changed since they got their ONE medical. Especially if it isn't one of the health conditions that were listed that required another medical.
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