From our good friends at the SAAA:
SAAA - Sports Aircraft Association of Australia - Builders of Experimental Aircraft
SAAA initiative achieves results!
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RPL (LAPL)? Not Yet....But read on
Continue to fly your pride and joy when your Class 2 medical expires.
This outstanding result was announced by CASAs Peter Johns at the SAAA National Convention dinner in Narromine, NSW on Saturday 17th September 2011.
A huge thank you to all those who responded to our request earlier in the year to complete and send a letter toCASA about RPL. We think around 800 letters were delivered. Thanks also to AOPA for their letter of support.
Peter said that CASA would introduce an “Opt-in” system forpilots to claim the requested exemption to CAR 5.04 and 5.07, which enablesthem to fly under certain restrictions without a Class 2 medical certificate.Although there are certain hurdles that need clearing Peter suggested that theprocess of obtaining these exemptions could be in place within 3 to 4 weeks.
The restrictions that apply are:-
Ø single engine piston aircraft and rotary wing aircraft
Ø 1500Kg MTOW and below
Ø Outside CTA
Ø Day VFR only
Ø No more than 2 seats being occupied.
Any endorsements the pilot hasobtained under his PPL continue unchanged under the exemptions. And, of course,all the other requirements for remaining current, bi-annual AFR etc, remainunchanged.
In the longer run, these exemptions would be incorporated into a Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL)which would have the exactly the same level as the current PPL but with the restrictions above and no Class 2 medical.
Peter said that the way Pilots could opt in to this system and obtain the exemption would be that they visit adoctor, probably their local GP (not necessarily a DAME) and obtain a certificate or written statement that they meet the drivers licence medical standard. Then log on to the CASA website, supply their ARN, and acknowledge that they have thiscertificate, and agree to abide by the restrictions. That’s it!!
The Doctors certificate must be carried while flying, exactly like the Class 2 medical certificate must be carried.
The exemption will have a validity of 2 years, and can then be re-applied for (if LAPL is not available) by repeating the process.
You can hold both a Class 2 medical certificate and have the exemptions at the same time. Of course, a valid Class2 means you do not have to comply with the restrictions of the exemption. But if the Class 2 expired, you could continue to fly under the exemptions. If you subsequently re-obtain a Class 2 medical, then the exemptions with the restrictions automatically cease to apply.