I'm assuming this will be for a first class issuance? [Snip]
And what if you do indeed have sleep apnea? Are you supposed to go pay for treatment on the wages we make for the first few years as pilots? All the while your medical is deferred until proof positive your treatment is working and you aren't making income?
This does not affect first class medicals alone at all. It applies to all medicals. Of course one of the supposedly "unintended consequences" is that the sport pilot medical rules will have to be revisited and properly addressed on a regulatory level as the currently proposed system causes downright idiotic imbalance. We do in fact have a completely arbitrary and scientifically unsubstantiated situation that will cause thousands and thousands of pilots to say "Screw This" when several hundred dollars of expenses are automatically added to their medical certificate process. I have a feeling Obamacare will not pay for that examination and related sleep study, which is often non-conclusive as people cannot really sleep well when hooked up to machinery.
Not only will it ground airline pilots who fall into the category, it will also cause inequality in terms of how the issue is dealt with in rectification and remedy. Union pilots will likely be grounded pending full or partial pay, while non represented pilots will simply loose their job for inability to hold a proper class medical certificate. It spells SOL for people like me who have a high BMI due to being short and working out. Saw the picture of another weight lifter... and wonder what his BMI might be? 45? Haha! Pure muscle, probably snores only when drinking, but heck, he's
probably gonna have obstructive sleep apnea, better test him?!? Downright idiotic!
The rats tail on this reaches all the way to outer space, so your imagination is your limit. The FAA is already overloaded and administratively incapable to take care of SI's within reasonable time frame, bringing this on will not ease the burden. What we are witnessing is the FAA performing an ultimate poo poo power grab (your choice who to thank for this government over-reach and empire building) but this was well hidden from public light until it was "leaked" to the press.
Scarily idiotic times, indeed. Lets see if and how the industry reacts to this mini blooper.
With the China sell out in full swing, we might get lucky and have all common sense gone from aviation in literally no time...
