New GA Medical/RPL (merged)

[Frank Arouet]

Thought some from SAAA and AOPA would be blowing whistles by now.

SAAA initiative makes Progress!

RPL (LAPL)? Not Yet....But read on-

At the SAAA National Convention dinner in Narromine, NSW on Saturday 17th September 2011, Peter Johns from CASA announced that CASA would establish a system to provide exemptions for the requirement of a Class 2 medical under certain conditions.
A huge thank you to all those who responded to our request earlier in the year to complete and send a letter to CASA 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 for pilots to claim the requested exemption to CAR 5.04 & 5.07, which enables them to fly under certain restrictions without a Class 2 medical certificate. Although there are certain hurdles that need clearing Peter suggested that the process of obtaining these exemptions could be in place within 3 to 4 weeks.
The restrictions that would apply are:-

• [*]

Any endorsements the pilot has obtained under his PPL would continue unchanged under these exemptions. And, of course, all the other requirements for remaining current, bi-annual AFR etc, remain unchanged.
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 a doctor, 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 this certificate, 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 could hold both a Class 2 medical certificate and have the exemptions at the same time. Of course, a valid Class 2 means you would 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 would automatically cease to apply.
SAAA will advise its members when CASA has put this system in place.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with this initiative!

Thanks & Regards
Bo Hannington
SAAA Vice-President

[Jabawocky]

Gooday Frank

I did not see your name on the distribution list for that email you must have friends in high places . Bo was copping questions from all around the place so a short summary from what PJ announced at the convention dinner was deemed in order. An update as it were.

Yes it is good news for many people, and it does not just apply to those more senior folk having a little trouble with their class 2 medicals, but also those folk who are for whatever reason, be it time, or location to a DAME may find this is a simple and effective way to fly.

If you opt in for a short period you can then revaildate your class 1 or 2 medical and then go back to all your previous privileges.

It is a bloody good deal for all pilots, and yes the SAAA and AOPA should be crowing from the rooftops.............once it is fully in place at CASA.

While we have notice from Peter John who is the man at the centre of it, there is still a bit of time required to get it all available to use. So perhaps the real celebration is yet to come.

Cheers

[Frank Arouet]

The 1500KG Recreational Pilot Licence

Go for it Buddy.

Probably some of the best news, safety wise, across my desk for a long time. Just as I was told it would be back in 1992 as a replacement for the Restricted PPL.

Also, something I don't do often, congratulations CASA, if it isn't a wind up, and you can make the thing happen without undue fuss.

Pity about the 19 years in between.

[flywatcher]

Nw GA medical

Can anyone cast any light on a proposed GA medical to allow GA pilots to fly on the same medical as RAA, ie safe to drive a car, outside of controlled airspace. If introduced it would allow many current GA pilots who are forced to sell their GA aircraft and go down the RAA path to contniue flying their own familiair machine. Can anyone comment on this, is the legislation, proposed, on the way, a pipedream? Thanks.

[VH-XXX]

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:-

Ř single engine piston aircraft and rotary wing aircraft

Ř 1500Kg MTOW and below

Ř Outside CTA

Ř Day VFR only

Ř 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.

[Frank Arouet]

Try this thread, or ask The Mods to merge them.

Merged

Much Ado

[Lasiorhinus]

Why the restriction on OCTA only?

If you're healthy enough to fly in Class G, what extra physiological demands are placed on a pilot's body inside controlled airspace?


Or are they saying you can have a heart attack and crash in a paddock, just dont do it over a city?

[T28D]

That is the implication, risk mitigation, don't want 1500 Kg metal/fuel/bodies through Mrs Jones roof do we !!

[thunderbird five]

What part did AOPA play in all this? NONE that I heard.....

[JustJoinedToSearch]

Well using South East Melbourne as an example, Mrs Jones is only 'safe' if she lives within 3nm of YMMB. You can fly all around/over the 'burbs at >2500/4500 OCTA. You could even fly over Southbank ffs.

If you don't want certain people flying over built up areas then make that the restriction not this OCTA rubbish.

If some guy wants to fly from YLTV or similar to MB the land 4 miles away from the airport is just as built up as 3 miles, it's just stupid.

[Frank Arouet]

What part did AOPA play in all this?

Thanks also to AOPA for their letter of support.

Not their inititive perhaps, but the support should be welcome.

Discussion on this topic should refer to the history since late 50's and 60's of the Restricted Private Pilot Licence. If you want to know, PM me.

This is a Licence, not a certificate.

It pertains to VH registered aircraft.

[VH-XXX]

The logic used by CASA in this instance is the same logic used when they rejected RA-Aus use of CTA without a medical. Whatever logic that actually is, nobody seems to know.

[Dangly Bits]

Have a heart attack, or kidney stone, or a plethora of other ailments that can disable you in a car and you can pull over and ask for help. You can't do that in an aircraft right! If you lose control due to one of these ailments you may crash right? So if you do it in CTA, where they are usually at large population areas, then you may land on a School full of kiddies. OCTA you might land on Farmer Joe's prize Bull.

Big difference, so I'm with CASA on this one. Get a Class 2, to fly in CTA or over a poplulated area.

Check the dams on your property with the missus, go for the exemption.

Simple. Now let's just see how long it takes for CASA to get it out there and useable.

DB

[VH-XXX]

That is true Dangly, however I think what makes most people wonder about the logic as stated earlier, is that 3 miles out of CTA eg. Moorabbin, it is just as densely or more populated than the CTA so there is little point having that restriction imposed. If it was truly a concern having someone with a heart attack hitting a school they would have restricted it to not be over built up areas like they have on experimental RA-Aus by default (though an exemption can be granted).

[OZBUSDRIVER]

OCTA will be just fine for this little black duck

[Jabawocky]

What part did AOPA play in all this? NONE that I heard.....

A bit more than many would expect. Close working relationship these days

And to begin with it is just an exemption, eventually an act of parliament will be required for the new licence level.

[Dangly Bits]

I think you might find that both flight over populous areas and Aerobatics will be out.

DB

[Jabawocky]

Good question Dangly.

Peter John did say all other privileges would remain if you renew your class 1/2 medical, and that endorsements like csu & retract remain, so if you have a 182RG it's all good. He did not mention anything about aero's and while it was a lengthy and detailed speech he may have mentioned them and I missed it, or maybe it did not cross his mind at the time.

I am sure we will know before too long and if I see him anytime soon at the airfield I will ask.

I might as well say it here, if you think the SAAA has done you a good deed, you might think aboutbjoining up, more good things to come and the admin costs don't pay for themselves. If you wre at the national convention you would have also heard about the bigger or expanded fuel discount programme which makes membership really worth it.

As The Kelpie would say at the end of his post....more to follow!

[baswell]

Have a heart attack, or kidney stone, or a plethora of other ailments that can disable you

And a class II medical is supposed to correctly identify a higher risk of these conditions, how?

Stand on one foot, point at your nose, pass!

Wouldn't be the first time someone with a valid medical had a heart attack in an aircraft...

[SW3]

The Regulator is becoming increasingly over the top in regards to medicals. I've heard of Class 2 holders all of a sudden losing their certificate on their next reval as a result of a condition they have previously had for years and been passed with! All of a sudden with no change in their condition it is no longer acceptable. Result, needing a safety pilot for GA, however can continue happily under no restrictions with RAAus.
I guess some need to justify their jobs. Of course common sense says if you have a serious condition don't fly, or with a safety pilot, but some cases make no sense!