aviationadvertiser
24th Aug 2016, 02:31
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.