A strategy yet to remove the SP Denied Medical Clause?

pilotgary111

pilotgary111

New Member
I am a strong advocate to remove the Sport Pilot Denied Medical Clause. I have written to my US Senator, as advised, about this dilemma that many certificated pilots face. We are side by side to current and flying new sport pilots to aviation and have much more experience and flying time and yet we remain grounded. This clause has been with us since the Sport Pilot Ruling became law in 2004. Does EAA even care anymore to push for its removal? Let's develop some strong strategy and have the DOT attorneys that came up with this ridiculous clause at the final hour remove it and be done with it!
 
Will you please elaborate on what you mean?

My understanding of the SP Denied Medical Clause is that if an FAA medical application has been denied then the applicant cannot assume the status of sport pilot. As it stands, entry into this certificate category is based on a clean bill of health. Once accepted as a Sport Pilot, one either has their driver license revoked or fail to receive their flight review to lose that status.

Are you proposing a free for all? If someone has a driver license then they should be allowed to fly a light sport aircraft?
 
I think what he's saying is that they want to remove the claus that says if you're denied you cannot fly. So if you do get denied you can still fly sport, so long as you can still drive.
 
ColoradoPilot said:
I think what he's saying is that they want to remove the claus that says if you're denied you cannot fly. So if you do get denied you can still fly sport, so long as you can still drive.
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I personally think its a not so great idea. If someone has been denied a medical... there is probably a good reason why that person should NOT be flying. Chances are as well, if there was a "medical test" to get a drivers license, then they will not pass that either.

As an experienced CFI, as well as part time spot pilot instructor here in Houston, I can tell you, I've had several students fly SP, and then a medical problem develops, and they self ground first. which is good!

I am NOT going to be a dream killer and tell them they can't fly- But I also believe if they currently hold a medical condition that says they would be denied a medical for having it... even though they have not applied for a medical before- they are still ineligible for flying sport because of their condition.

Does that makes sense? As in- say someone has a brain tumor that they are on medication for. They will not be able to apply for or obtain a medical certificate. So... that person should be able to just use their drivers license to fly sport by them self... ?? Does that make you feel safe watching them fly over head of you? (This is just an example)

Now.... I do also agree in certain circumstances that if the medical has been denied before... that there should be a process that says if they are no longer asymptomatic then they should be able to reapply and get a medical. Which I believe there is already a certain process for this to happen. For instance- my example above- the brain tumor is gone... and medications have been gone for a year or two... go talk to a AME.. if they say that they WOULD approve for a medical- then have it- go back to the flight school - get your cfi and go work on your solo.... If the AME says he would have to defer it, call OKC- talk to the Flight Surgeon there, see what he/she says... if they say you'd be ok.. then your good.. if they say no... then im sorry... it just wasn't meant to be...

Am I wrong or being too harsh?
 
FlyGuy9k4 said:
Am I wrong or being too harsh?
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Nope, I think what you posted up is how it should work. All it's going to take is one crash, where a sport pilot takes out a few people on the ground, and there will be a push to make sport pilot's have a medical of some sort (4th class, whatever it may be). There are probably quite a few pilot's flying under the sport pilot rules, that really shouldn't be flying. All it takes is once glance at the roads here in Florida. When you're 90 years old, just because you have a drivers license, doesn't mean it's a good idea to drive.
 
To the Op - considering I don't agree with your viewpoint, I'm not going to be the best at helping you come up with a strategy.

How can you justify flying after being denied a medical? You might be able to drive, but so what, flying ain't driving.
 
ColoradoPilot said:
I think what he's saying is that they want to remove the claus that says if you're denied you cannot fly. So if you do get denied you can still fly sport, so long as you can still drive.
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If your medical gets denied, you cannot still fly as a sport pilot.

If your medical lapses and you have a condition that you know would prevent you from renewing your medical, you're supposed to ground yourself even as a sport pilot, even if hardly anybody ever does
 
I'd rather see at least a 3rd class medical required for any grade of pilot certificate...so I can't get behind this.

-mini
 
pilotgary111 said:
I am a strong advocate to remove the Sport Pilot Denied Medical Clause. I have written to my US Senator, as advised, about this dilemma that many certificated pilots face. We are side by side to current and flying new sport pilots to aviation and have much more experience and flying time and yet we remain grounded. This clause has been with us since the Sport Pilot Ruling became law in 2004. Does EAA even care anymore to push for its removal? Let's develop some strong strategy and have the DOT attorneys that came up with this ridiculous clause at the final hour remove it and be done with it!
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You're not going to get anywhere just writing your Senator. You've got to work with aviation advocacy groups such as EAA or AOPA. I would be surprised if you didn't find an ally with the EAA. Find somebody in the EAA who supports that and work with them.
Personally, I wouldn't mind if the FAA removed the requirement that you must not have been denied a med cert. and I don't see what holding a current driver's license has to do with piloting an LSA.
As far as I know, ultralight, glider, and balloon pilots don't have that restriction. But I doubt you'll find a ground swell of support for your position on this forum.
 
mikecweb said:
I'm disappointed you didn't type "ok".
Then that would have been shorter than your "-mini" and that would have made me smile.

-mikecweb
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I always try to leave you smiling and satisfied.


















...
TheOffice-ThatsWhatSheSaid-Michael.jpg


-mini
 
I disagree with you. If someone is denied a medical then there is a reason for it and they probably should not be flying. That being said maybe they need another class for sport pilots.
 
DL31082 said:
I disagree with you. If someone is denied a medical then there is a reason for it and they probably should not be flying. That being said maybe they need another class for sport pilots.
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Although Light Sport is still in its infancy, the (purely anecdotal) evidence I've seen suggests that most people who fly light sport can't get a medical certificate. Every time I look through trade a plane I see at least one for sale that says something like "I don't want to sell my plane, but medical issues have forced me to switch to light sport."
 
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