FAA’S POLICY STATEMENT ON SLEEP APNEA: UPDATE
Yesterday’s FastRead (November 21, 2013) notified the membership that ALPA was aware of the FAA’s new policy on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and that we were engaging the FAA and industry on this matter. ALPA has maintained a steady dialogue with FAA and industry stakeholders. As a result of our follow up with the FAA’s leadership, we were informed today that the proposed policy statement on OSA is just that and no more; no decision has been made by the FAA to implement the OSA policy statement. ALPA has requested that the FAA send out a bulletin to their Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) as soon as possible to affirm the fact that no policy change has taken place. We continue to collaborate with FAA and other industry stakeholders who share our concerns with the OSA statement.
Despite the FAA’s stance, it has come to ALPA’s attention that some AMEs may be proceeding with new body mass-related sleep apnea screening protocols and may proactively seek to determine whether a pilot suffers from OSA as part of a medical certification exam.
Any ALPA member who is told that they must have a mandatory sleep apnea assessment in accordance with the FAA’s policy statement should report it to ALPA’s Aeromedical Office at 1-866-237-6633.
To learn about OSA, its effects, treatments and more, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website. ALPA will provide additional information about the status of our OSA efforts as it becomes available.
Yesterday’s FastRead (November 21, 2013) notified the membership that ALPA was aware of the FAA’s new policy on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and that we were engaging the FAA and industry on this matter. ALPA has maintained a steady dialogue with FAA and industry stakeholders. As a result of our follow up with the FAA’s leadership, we were informed today that the proposed policy statement on OSA is just that and no more; no decision has been made by the FAA to implement the OSA policy statement. ALPA has requested that the FAA send out a bulletin to their Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) as soon as possible to affirm the fact that no policy change has taken place. We continue to collaborate with FAA and other industry stakeholders who share our concerns with the OSA statement.
Despite the FAA’s stance, it has come to ALPA’s attention that some AMEs may be proceeding with new body mass-related sleep apnea screening protocols and may proactively seek to determine whether a pilot suffers from OSA as part of a medical certification exam.
Any ALPA member who is told that they must have a mandatory sleep apnea assessment in accordance with the FAA’s policy statement should report it to ALPA’s Aeromedical Office at 1-866-237-6633.
To learn about OSA, its effects, treatments and more, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website. ALPA will provide additional information about the status of our OSA efforts as it becomes available.
