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We, as members of the Aircraft Ownen and.Pilota Alsociation Medical Advisory Board. arc writina to 

request the Department of Transportation and the Office of Manqement and Budget to expedite ~ 

~~~~~~ lSri~~ p~ . ~~A1 ;.s. :19~~ of Proposed Rulemaking on tbird-claas medical certification 

reform. · ' 

-• During ~e interval of two to fiye years between third cl188 medical exams, every pilot self certifies tJVery 

....... _ ...... · __ orfallttis'llifelo tly. Moat private pilot& receive third class certification based upon cursory 

•Wiklmlil'llatfObScbttclu'cted by doctors who often have only the limited history and clinical 

. · -.,.-;.. . p~~cP~9,~.~iu ~.K~'s MedXpress online applications system. Many AME's are not 

· _ piJa\t.uhemselm. .-~ rarely the pilot's primary care physician. The complicated and confusing 

nature of the FAA's medical application, coupled with the potential for the costly and time consuming 

delays that can occur when the FAA requira additional information for conditions when reported, 

combine in many in.stam:es, to keep pilots from pursuing their freedom to fly. 

What the aviation community really needs is a systan that educates pilots about maintaining their medical 

health and provides them with information needed to continually self-assess their fitness prior to every 

flight This system should encourage open and honest information exchange with the pilot's long-time 

treating personal physician-something the current system discourages. 

The FAA recogoiz,ed these issuca more than 10 years ago with the implementation of the Sport Pilot 

Rule. ThoU88Dds of pilots safely flying without a third claaa medical siMe, clearly shows the FAA's 

decision was cmrect. 

Expanding this succesaful standard will not only save the federal government and general aviation pilota 

millions of doUara eacll year, it will also improve safety, and foster a more open dialogue with pilotl and 

s 1 0-141 00 1-0 1 0 AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION 
Secretary Foxx, Director Donovan 

September 24, 2014 

Pa&e2 •• 0 I i 

their ~nal. physicians. A combination of Qducation, self-uaessmcn~ ~d recurrent trajning baa, and 

will continue to msure medical safety in the skies. , , . 

In our opinion, reforming the third-class medical certification process would save pilots and the FAA 

time, reso~ and money that oould be reinvested in ways that do much more to enhance safety, 

including increaaed proficiency flying and installing advanced safety equipment in aircraft. 

We appreciate your time and couidcntion and apin urp you to complete these departmental reviews 

within the next 30 days. Pleue do not holitate to '*I on ua if you would like to diiCUIS Nrther. 

Sincerely 

Members of the AOPA Medical Advisory Board 

Brent Blue, MD 

SeniorAME 

DABEM, DABFP 

Ian Blair Fries, M.D. 

Senior FAA (HIMS) AME 

AlA Aviation Medicine, Inc. 

J. M. Sackier, MB, ChB, FRCS, FACS 

Author of"Fiy Well" column in AOPA Pilot & 

Electronic Newsletter 

Visiting Professor of Surgery, Oxford University 

s 1 0-141 00 1-0 1 0 

WarrenS. Silberman, D.O., MPH, FAOCOPM, 

FeASMA, FeCAMA, FACOI 

Aviation Certification Services, LLD 

R 1 t/..-J;.oc, ~~ 

Richard W. Sloan, MD, RPh 

President 

Flying Physician Association 

Senior Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) 

Colonel, P AANG, FS/MC, Ret 
AIWt;WAt-T OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION 

421 Aviation Way 

Frederick, Maryland 21701 

s 1 0-141 00 1-0 10 

The Honorable Anthony Foxx 

Secretary, Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue 

Washington, DC 20590 

~-' 

.::.-___ 

-~ 

ZIP 21701 $ 000.48° 

02 1VV 

0001383933 SEP 26 20 14