It's time for AOPA and EAA to sue the DOT!

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The FAA is part of the Department of Transportation and throughout this column I will refer to the DOT. 

AOPA and the EAA have been working together to eliminate 3rd class medicals for pilots that fly an airplane with 180 horsepower, fixed gear, no IFR, no flights for hire and no night flying. When Randy Babbitt was FAA administrator it looked like this program would succeed. Now with the change in administrators and the current Administration disdain of general aviation, it seems this request is doomed to failure.

To bring all up to date there is no 3rd class medical required for glider and light sport aircraft. These pilots self certify that they are able to pilot these aircraft. Why then is there a requirement for those pilots who fly non commercial GA airplanes to have a 3rd class medical. In addition why is a biannual flight review required for non commercial pilots. I FEEL THIS IS DISCRIMINATION BY THE DOT. 

In Arizona one is issued a non commercial drivers license that is valid from age 21 to 65. At age 65 you can renew your license for an additional 5 years with just passing a vision test. You do not need a biannual review to ever drive a car in AZ. One can drive a school bus loaded with children without taking a medical. The DOT is starting a medical procedure for Interstate commercial drivers and those driving a load of over 11,000 pounds. None of this makes sense to me, and I feel this is discrimination against private non commercial pilots.

You can sue anybody for anything in this Country. That doesn’t mean the suit will be heard or that you will win. I think it is in the best interest of general aviation for AOPA and the EAA to file suit in Federal court against the DOT. If the court deems it will hear the case there are grounds for the lawsuit, and you have overcome a major obstacle. By having medical regulations and BFR’s for pilots you are driving many out of flying that can still drive a car and even a school bus. I do understand that in some cases people should not be piloting airplanes. This is why there is self certification for glider and LSA pilots. 

In closing it is time for AOPA and EAA to take action as the DOT does not like being sued.