AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification
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AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification
23rd August 2016
The Hon Darren Chester MP
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia.
Mr Mark Skidmore
Director of Aviation Safety (CASA)
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
GPO Box 2005
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
- Members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Users of the Aviation Advertiser – Australia network
- Government Ministers and Senators
- Industry media
AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2
Private Pilot Medical Certification.
The Hon Darren Chester MP,
Over the past year aviation regulators in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (US) and New Zealand (NZ) have all moved to reform their medical requirements for Private Pilots License holders, following extensive evidence based assessment and review.
These reforms (which have been previously communicated to your office) have been heralded by the global aviation community and are expected to breathe essential life back into the general aviation economies of each respective country.
AOPA Australia over the past five years has received thousands of telephone calls and emails from private pilots, all calling for broad reform of Australia’s Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification system. Our membership have demonstrated that a high number of Australian private pilots are being subjected to unfair and unreasonable medical assessments by CASA AVMED which has removed fit and healthy pilots from Australia’s general aviation community and subjected thousands of pilots to unnecessary delays and expense regarding medical assessment.
In consideration of our membership feedback and moves by international regulators, AOPA Australia has produced a clear Proposed Policy position on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification - to which we have attached to this email and included below.
The AOPA proposed policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification is important to the future of Australia's general aviation industry and if implemented will serve to reconnect thousands of perfectly healthy pilots who have been unfairly discriminated by the existing CASA AVMED system.
This vital reform will dramatically reduce licensing costs to industry and will remove unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and red-tape that have contributed to the serious decline in general aviation pilots in Australia, which based on CASA’s own data amounts to some 8,000+ pilots exiting our industry (see chart below).
AOPA’s policy will help kick-start and re-invigorate private flying activity within the general aviation industry, which will result in increasing demand for the varying support services whilst creating valuable jobs and opportunities for small business across Australia.
In the recently published CASA Stakeholder Relationship Health Report (click here to download), the surveyed industry stakeholders made clear their sincere dissatisfaction with regard to both CASA’s decision making and performance. Industry has sent a loud and clear message that we cannot continue with the current system.
Australia’s general aviation industry is calling on you as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport to direct CASA to adopt the AOPA proposed policy without delay, sending a clear message of support to our industry and the small businesses who rely on it.
AOPA is ready to meet with you and looks forward to the opportunity to discuss this vital policy in more detail.
Yours sincerely,
BENJAMIN MORGAN
Executive Director - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Telephone: (02) 9791 9099
Email: [email protected]
-----------------------------------------------------------
AOPA PROPOSED POLICY ON
CLASS 2 PRIVATE PILOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
Issued 23rd August 2016
1. The medical standard for the Class 2 Medical Certificate will be that of an AustRoads Unrestricted Private Drivers Medical with no ROUTINE requirement to attend for medical examinations except in the situations outlined below
2. The pilot will have to make a legally binding statement that they meet this standard once prior to the age of 70 years and every 3 years after the age of 70
3. Any pilot who does not meet this medical standard will be required to apply for their certificate by seeing a DAME. This includes those pilots who hold a Restricted Private Drivers License Medical or those pilots who are currently classified as “renew by CASA only”. The DAME will have the delegation to issue the certificate after due consideration. CASA AVMED would be involved only if the DAME wants backup or support for decision making
4. Applicants with a history of any of the following conditions must apply to a DAME for consideration of their case. They must support their application with records from their GP and/or Specialist.
a. Medication for any psychiatric illness
b. Bipolar disorder, psychosis or a diagnosis of personality disorder
c. Drug abuse or alcohol misuse or addiction (or conviction for drink/drunk driving)
d. Medication treatment for angina or heart failure
e. Cardiac surgery including cardiac device implantation
f. Recurrent fainting or collapse (syncope)
g. Unexplained loss of consciousness
h. Insulin treatment
i. Chronic lung disease with shortness of breath on exertion
j. Any neurological condition requiring medication
k. Epilepsy
l. Significant functional physical disability likely to impair safe operation of normal flight controls
5. It is anticipated that for simple cases properly backed up by specialist reports that the DAME may in consultation with the applicants General Practitioner and/or Specialist be delegated to issue a class 2 certificate for a restricted period of time. If the DAME is not prepared to do this he/she may refer the case to CASA AVMED for full assessment
6. Under the proposed system the onus is on the pilot to report any possible reduction of flying capabilities as a result of medical conditions to their DAME. The DAME can advise the pilot and certify the pilot fit to fly at a later date if he/she is happy with the recovery. If the DAME is unhappy with the situation he/she may refer the matter to CASA AVMED
LIMITATIONS
- The weight limit will be 2,500 Kg
- The number of passengers will be limited to five (5)
- Those pilots requiring an instrument rating will need to see a DAME on a regular basis (4 years under 40 and 2 yearly thereafter). The DAME can issue the certificate or refer to AVMED as necessary
- Night VFR will be covered under the proposed new system
- Those pilots requiring a higher aircraft weight limit or increased number of passengers will need to be seen by a DAME who can issue the certificate or refer to AVMED as they feel necessary.
-------
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia was established in 1949 to ensure aircraft owners and pilots were afforded the freedom to fly without unnecessary cost and restriction. AOPA remains Australia’s leading aviation advocacy group, serving general aviation for over 67 years.
The Hon Darren Chester MP
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia.
Mr Mark Skidmore
Director of Aviation Safety (CASA)
Civil Aviation Safety Authority
GPO Box 2005
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
- Members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Users of the Aviation Advertiser – Australia network
- Government Ministers and Senators
- Industry media
AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2
Private Pilot Medical Certification.
The Hon Darren Chester MP,
Over the past year aviation regulators in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (US) and New Zealand (NZ) have all moved to reform their medical requirements for Private Pilots License holders, following extensive evidence based assessment and review.
These reforms (which have been previously communicated to your office) have been heralded by the global aviation community and are expected to breathe essential life back into the general aviation economies of each respective country.
AOPA Australia over the past five years has received thousands of telephone calls and emails from private pilots, all calling for broad reform of Australia’s Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification system. Our membership have demonstrated that a high number of Australian private pilots are being subjected to unfair and unreasonable medical assessments by CASA AVMED which has removed fit and healthy pilots from Australia’s general aviation community and subjected thousands of pilots to unnecessary delays and expense regarding medical assessment.
In consideration of our membership feedback and moves by international regulators, AOPA Australia has produced a clear Proposed Policy position on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification - to which we have attached to this email and included below.
The AOPA proposed policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification is important to the future of Australia's general aviation industry and if implemented will serve to reconnect thousands of perfectly healthy pilots who have been unfairly discriminated by the existing CASA AVMED system.
This vital reform will dramatically reduce licensing costs to industry and will remove unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and red-tape that have contributed to the serious decline in general aviation pilots in Australia, which based on CASA’s own data amounts to some 8,000+ pilots exiting our industry (see chart below).
AOPA’s policy will help kick-start and re-invigorate private flying activity within the general aviation industry, which will result in increasing demand for the varying support services whilst creating valuable jobs and opportunities for small business across Australia.
In the recently published CASA Stakeholder Relationship Health Report (click here to download), the surveyed industry stakeholders made clear their sincere dissatisfaction with regard to both CASA’s decision making and performance. Industry has sent a loud and clear message that we cannot continue with the current system.
Australia’s general aviation industry is calling on you as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport to direct CASA to adopt the AOPA proposed policy without delay, sending a clear message of support to our industry and the small businesses who rely on it.
AOPA is ready to meet with you and looks forward to the opportunity to discuss this vital policy in more detail.
Yours sincerely,
BENJAMIN MORGAN
Executive Director - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Mobile: 0415 577 724
Telephone: (02) 9791 9099
Email: [email protected]
-----------------------------------------------------------
AOPA PROPOSED POLICY ON
CLASS 2 PRIVATE PILOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
Issued 23rd August 2016
1. The medical standard for the Class 2 Medical Certificate will be that of an AustRoads Unrestricted Private Drivers Medical with no ROUTINE requirement to attend for medical examinations except in the situations outlined below
2. The pilot will have to make a legally binding statement that they meet this standard once prior to the age of 70 years and every 3 years after the age of 70
3. Any pilot who does not meet this medical standard will be required to apply for their certificate by seeing a DAME. This includes those pilots who hold a Restricted Private Drivers License Medical or those pilots who are currently classified as “renew by CASA only”. The DAME will have the delegation to issue the certificate after due consideration. CASA AVMED would be involved only if the DAME wants backup or support for decision making
4. Applicants with a history of any of the following conditions must apply to a DAME for consideration of their case. They must support their application with records from their GP and/or Specialist.
a. Medication for any psychiatric illness
b. Bipolar disorder, psychosis or a diagnosis of personality disorder
c. Drug abuse or alcohol misuse or addiction (or conviction for drink/drunk driving)
d. Medication treatment for angina or heart failure
e. Cardiac surgery including cardiac device implantation
f. Recurrent fainting or collapse (syncope)
g. Unexplained loss of consciousness
h. Insulin treatment
i. Chronic lung disease with shortness of breath on exertion
j. Any neurological condition requiring medication
k. Epilepsy
l. Significant functional physical disability likely to impair safe operation of normal flight controls
5. It is anticipated that for simple cases properly backed up by specialist reports that the DAME may in consultation with the applicants General Practitioner and/or Specialist be delegated to issue a class 2 certificate for a restricted period of time. If the DAME is not prepared to do this he/she may refer the case to CASA AVMED for full assessment
6. Under the proposed system the onus is on the pilot to report any possible reduction of flying capabilities as a result of medical conditions to their DAME. The DAME can advise the pilot and certify the pilot fit to fly at a later date if he/she is happy with the recovery. If the DAME is unhappy with the situation he/she may refer the matter to CASA AVMED
LIMITATIONS
- The weight limit will be 2,500 Kg
- The number of passengers will be limited to five (5)
- Those pilots requiring an instrument rating will need to see a DAME on a regular basis (4 years under 40 and 2 yearly thereafter). The DAME can issue the certificate or refer to AVMED as necessary
- Night VFR will be covered under the proposed new system
- Those pilots requiring a higher aircraft weight limit or increased number of passengers will need to be seen by a DAME who can issue the certificate or refer to AVMED as they feel necessary.
-------
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia was established in 1949 to ensure aircraft owners and pilots were afforded the freedom to fly without unnecessary cost and restriction. AOPA remains Australia’s leading aviation advocacy group, serving general aviation for over 67 years.
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BE PART OF CHANGE.
AOPA understands that its members care deeply about general aviation and are willing to stand up and fight for what matters to them and is now calling on our entire membership to help make our Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification a reality.
STEP 1 – Download and review the AOPA Proposed Policy
Attached to this email is the AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification, which you can download and review.
Should you wish to discuss the policy,
please feel free to contact the AOPA offices on (02) 9791 9099
STEP 2 – Download and send a letter of support to the Minister
Attached to this email is a letter which you can send to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Darren Chester MP, showcasing your support for the AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification. Be sure to send this letter to as many aviation friends and colleagues as possible!
STEP 2 – Muster signatures for the AOPA Petition!
Attached to this email is the AOPA Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification Petition, which you can download and have your aviation friends and colleagues sign. AOPA is calling on each and every one of our members to download this important petition and to muster as many signatures as possible! Help AOPA and our industry send a clear message to the government.
IMPORTANT - Once you have mustered as many signatures as possible, you will need to send the originals to AOPA. We cannot submit anything other than the original documents. Please send the original petition documents to;
Attention: Mr Benjamin Morgan
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
PO BOX 26, Georges Hall NSW 2198, Australia.
The petition documents must be returned to AOPA in original copy, no later than the 30th September 2016. Once received, AOPA will collate the received Petitions into a master document and present it in person to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Hon Darren Chester MP.
This is our opportunity to send a big message, so please ensure you email as many friends and colleagues as possible - we all need each others support on this vital call for reform.
MEMBERSHIP IS EVERYTHING. JOIN AOPA AND STAND WITH GENERAL AVIATION.
AOPA and Australia's general aviation industry needs your support - http://www.aopa.com.au/member-services/join/
AOPA understands that its members care deeply about general aviation and are willing to stand up and fight for what matters to them and is now calling on our entire membership to help make our Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification a reality.
STEP 1 – Download and review the AOPA Proposed Policy
Attached to this email is the AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification, which you can download and review.
Should you wish to discuss the policy,
please feel free to contact the AOPA offices on (02) 9791 9099
STEP 2 – Download and send a letter of support to the Minister
Attached to this email is a letter which you can send to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon Darren Chester MP, showcasing your support for the AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification. Be sure to send this letter to as many aviation friends and colleagues as possible!
STEP 2 – Muster signatures for the AOPA Petition!
Attached to this email is the AOPA Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification Petition, which you can download and have your aviation friends and colleagues sign. AOPA is calling on each and every one of our members to download this important petition and to muster as many signatures as possible! Help AOPA and our industry send a clear message to the government.
IMPORTANT - Once you have mustered as many signatures as possible, you will need to send the originals to AOPA. We cannot submit anything other than the original documents. Please send the original petition documents to;
Attention: Mr Benjamin Morgan
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
PO BOX 26, Georges Hall NSW 2198, Australia.
The petition documents must be returned to AOPA in original copy, no later than the 30th September 2016. Once received, AOPA will collate the received Petitions into a master document and present it in person to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, The Hon Darren Chester MP.
This is our opportunity to send a big message, so please ensure you email as many friends and colleagues as possible - we all need each others support on this vital call for reform.
MEMBERSHIP IS EVERYTHING. JOIN AOPA AND STAND WITH GENERAL AVIATION.
AOPA and Australia's general aviation industry needs your support - http://www.aopa.com.au/member-services/join/
I'm going to sign the petition and hope everyone else with an interest in aviation safety does too.
However, I do worry that a petition may be a tactic that plays into CASA AVMED's hands.
Decisions about where aviation medical certification standards should be set and who is qualified to administer them should be based on objective evidence and objective risk, not a popular vote. There is ample data from first world aviation nations, and locally, to demonstrate that CASA AVMED's activities are disproportionate to the risk.
Indeed, my view is that AVMED's activities are now actually a risk to aviation safety, because they are driving medical problems 'underground'. People are becoming too scared to say anything about any potential medical problem, because they will expose themselves to the capricious uncertainty of a medical bureaucracy that has little clue as to how medical certification integrates effectively into a system of civil aviation safety.
However, I do worry that a petition may be a tactic that plays into CASA AVMED's hands.
Decisions about where aviation medical certification standards should be set and who is qualified to administer them should be based on objective evidence and objective risk, not a popular vote. There is ample data from first world aviation nations, and locally, to demonstrate that CASA AVMED's activities are disproportionate to the risk.
Indeed, my view is that AVMED's activities are now actually a risk to aviation safety, because they are driving medical problems 'underground'. People are becoming too scared to say anything about any potential medical problem, because they will expose themselves to the capricious uncertainty of a medical bureaucracy that has little clue as to how medical certification integrates effectively into a system of civil aviation safety.
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On a related topic; what about the unnecessary requirement to hold a class 1 medical to undertake a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) flight test. What does holding a current class 1 medical prove when the test is conducted as a dual exercise? Under the old CAR Part 5 the applicant only required a class 2.
Can anyone tell me why a class 1 medical is required to undergo a CPL test? Surely it is up to the applicant if they wish to train for a CPL only on a class 2. What greater good is served by forcing an applicant to hold a class 1 medical for the conduct of a dual CPL flight test?
The class 1 requirement to sit for a CPL licence test is further evidence of CASA being completely out of control and out of touch with reality.
Can anyone tell me why a class 1 medical is required to undergo a CPL test? Surely it is up to the applicant if they wish to train for a CPL only on a class 2. What greater good is served by forcing an applicant to hold a class 1 medical for the conduct of a dual CPL flight test?
The class 1 requirement to sit for a CPL licence test is further evidence of CASA being completely out of control and out of touch with reality.
The answer to you question is obvious, Lex: Safety!
(Do not try to apply logic and objective analysis of risks to decisions of the aviation 'safety' bureaucracy, Lex. You'll go crazy.)
(Do not try to apply logic and objective analysis of risks to decisions of the aviation 'safety' bureaucracy, Lex. You'll go crazy.)
