Frequently Asked
Questions about Sport Pilot Medical Qualifications
from the FAA
Question: Why does the Federal Aviation
Administration specify conditions for using a
current and valid U.S. driver's license for Sport
Pilot only for persons whose most recent application
for an airman medical certificate has been denied;
whose most recently held airman medical certificate
was rescinded or revoked; or whose most recent
Special Issuance has been withdrawn?
Answer: To clarify that, if
your most recent records on file with FAA indicate
that you were found ineligible to exercise airman
privileges for medical reasons then, in the interest
of public safety, you shouldn't go out right away
and use your driver's license as medical
qualification.
We understand that these conditions
may not have been expected and may disappoint some
people. That was not our intent, nor is it our
intent that affected persons would have to maintain
an airman medical certificate if they would rather
use their current and valid U.S. driver's license to
medically qualify as a sport pilot.
We ultimately concluded that, in
those cases where FAA has existing knowledge of
medical ineligibility, we need the affected person
to address it and, hopefully have it resolved. To
meet the intent of the rule, the affected person
should apply for reconsideration of their
eligibility. In some denial cases, applicants simply
may not have provided enough information to FAA or
may not have supplied information that FAA may have
requested. In certain other denial cases, applicants
may not have exercised their appeal rights which may
have led to certification in some cases.
FAA wants to see as many pilots as
possible take advantage of this exciting new rule
and looks forward to working with individuals
seeking to exercise sport pilot privileges. We also
intend to work with EAA, AOPA, USUA and other
industry groups toward that end.
Question: What if I resubmit my application and,
ultimately, I am certified? Must I continue to renew
my medical or may I use my current and valid U.S.
driver's license as evidence of medical
qualification?
Answer: If you are ultimately
certified then you are no longer on record with FAA
as having had your most recent application denied or
your most recently held FAA airman medical
certificate suspended or revoked, etc. Therefore, it
is not necessary to maintain airman medical
certification thereafter to exercise sport pilot
privileges provided you hold a current and valid
U.S. driver's license and provided you otherwise
qualify.
Question: What if I hold a Special Issuance? Is that
considered a denial for an airman medical
certificate?
Answer: No. Special Issuance
is not considered the denial of an FAA airman
medical certificate.
Question: Approximately how many applicants for
third-class airman medical certificates are denied?
Answer: Over the past 3
years, the number of denials of third-class airman
medical certificates has ranged from approximately
2,000 to 2,500 per year based on approximately
135,000 to 140,000 applications for third-class
airman medical certification per year. Most of these
denials resulted because of a failure of the
applicants to provide sufficient information for FAA
to make a favorable decision.
Question: What if I meet the requirements set forth
in the Sport Pilot rule that allow me to medically
qualify using my current and valid U.S. driver's
license? When may I use my current and valid U.S.
driver's license as medical qualification?
Answer: Provided you meet the
requirements and you are qualified to exercise sport
pilot privileges using a current and valid U.S.
driver's license, you may do so on September 1,
2004, the effective date of the rule.
Question: What if I already hold a pilot certificate
and a valid airman medical certificate? Do I have to
maintain my airman medical certificate if I will
only be exercising sport pilot privileges or may I
use my current and valid U.S. driver's license as
medical qualification?
Answer: You may use your
current and valid U.S. driver's license to exercise
sport pilot privileges; however, you must hold the
required, valid FAA airman medical certificate if
you wish to exercise private pilot (or higher)
privileges.
Question: What if I suspect that I have a
significant medical condition and I hold a current
and valid U.S. driver's license? Am I authorized to
exercise sport pilot privileges provided I otherwise
qualify?
Answer: Long-standing FAA
regulation, 61.53, prohibits all pilots - those who
are required to hold airman medical certificates and
those who are not - from exercising privileges
during periods of medical deficiency. FAA revised
61.53 to include under this prohibition sport pilots
who use a current and valid U.S. driver's license as
medical qualification. The prohibition is also added
under 61.23 (c) (2) (iv) and 61.303 (b) (2) (4) for
sport pilot operations.
Question: What if I have a life-long, chronic
medical condition (e.g., diabetes mellitus) and I
have never applied for or held an FAA airman medical
certificate and my medical condition has never
precluded me from being able to renew my U.S.
driver's license? Am I authorized to exercise sport
pilot privileges provided I otherwise qualify?
Answer: You should consult
your private physician to determine whether you have
a medical deficiency that would interfere with the
safe performance of sport piloting duties. You may
exercise sport pilot privileges provided you are in
good health, your medical condition is under
control, you adhere to your physician's recommended
treatment, and you feel satisfied that you are able
to conduct safe flight operations.
|
