18 June 21312 

Docket Management Facility 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

12ee N~d Jersey Ave. SE, 

Washington, DC, 2135913 

Docket Number FAA-2012-0350 

Dear sirs: 

I am writing to express my support for the provisions of docket number 

FAA-2012-0350, the AOPA/EAA Medical Exemption request to allow certain 

pilot activities without the burden of a 3rd-class medical certificate. 

I soloed in 1964 and hold CFI and ATP ratings (ASMELS) as well as an A&P 

certificate. I own three aircraft, two of which would be allowable under 

the proposed request. My flying currently consists of approximately 60 

hours per year ot dual i:light instruction, :LOU hour ot part lJ~ work, and 

150 hours of personal flying, mainly for transportation between 

Washington state and Illinois and enjoyment of backcountry strips in the 

western U.S. My total time is approximately 9500 hours, most of which is 

PH-:. T usc> <'lnnnal physic::als from my physjc::irm and my ovc>rnll assc>ssmc>nt 

of my own physical condition to determine my suitability for flight. 

The proposal enhances safety for at least two reasons: 

• Flight instructors will be able to maintain currency as pilots. 

Although the present FARs allow a CFI without a medical to instruct 

while not PIC, it is difficult to teach effectively in an aircraft 

without being able to fly it on his/her own. 

• It would improve the overall health of pilots because there would 

don't go to the doc, I don't have anything to report!") 

The proposal would remove a financial barrier to continued flying; the 

present testing requirements for a special issuance medical can be 

enormous (in excess of $10,000 per year), for what is likely much less 

than another full year because of administrative delays. 

Pilot education is undoubtedly a good thing, and the proposal would 

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is excellent, as are my CFI renewals every two years. I read all I can 

about other pilots' experiences through columns like "I learned about 

flying from that" and NTSB reports. Another source of information on 

medical issues would be welcome. 

The proposal would encourage pilots to stay active and involved. 

Personally, as I age (currently 67), I am reluctant to invest any more 

time or money in additional ratings or aircraft upgrades, since every 

visit to the AME for a medical puts my entire investment at risk. It 

would be much more corrtfortable havin.g my future as a pilot be roughly as 

secure as my future as a driver. (I wouldn't hesitate buying a new car 

now, for instance) . The increased confidence in being able to continue in 
aviation would keep a substantial number of present pilots in aviation 

which translates to greater spending and a healthier aviation and 

aviation support community. New pilots would also be encouraged by being 

able to fly reasonably useful aircraft without a medical. 

I don't think the third-class medical adds perceptibly to safety in 

aviation; even airline captains have died while flying, and that is with 

far more rigorous screening. The proposal with its emphasis on education 

wouldn't add any more risk to piloting. 

Finally, I think the l80hp cutoff is reasonable; I live on a non-ferry 

island in Washington and my plane is the only practical way to get to and 

from the mainland. A light-sport aircraft just isn't viable for hauling 

groceries or going camping. 

Lytle Johnson 

Decatur Island 

Anacortes WA 98221 

catrax@rockisland.com