SLEEP APNEA...YAWN

SLEEP APNEA

AND
THE FAA

Forgive me if I fall asleep while writing this blog. Someone at the FAA in Oklahoma City or Washington is trying to justify their job by issuing a ruling that any pilot who has a BMI of 40 or over and/or a 17 inch neck size must now see a board certified sleep specialist to be approved for a special issuance medical. When I played football I had a size 16 inch neck at 5’8”. Most players today are bigger so they would all be disqualified for a regular medical. Do not get me started about medicals as I think the 3rd class medical is a joke and not needed. I f you are going to fly someone commercial then a 2nd or 1st class medical is a good thing.

YAWN

There have been no aviation accidents that I know of caused by sleep apnea. Yet the FAA waives it’s magic wand and wants to change the game. There are procedures that the FAA has to go through to change the rules. The FAA has changed the way of doing business by bypassing all the rules. I would bet in the future that Congress will shut down this ridiculous suggestion.

YAWN

The current administration has been the most anti aviation administration in office ever. Don’t know what their problem is but it has been a tremendous problem to all facets of aviation for the past 6 years. It is no wonder that fewer and fewer want to become a pilot.

I have dealt with all levels of the FAA over the years including 2 administrators. I have several friends that work for ATC. The ATC guys get it and are helpful in promoting aviation and aviation safety. The administrators come from the planet Mars. This is not to say that all administration of the FAA has run amok, but the few who have need to find a new job in the private sector as they have forgotten who they work for. I hope that the next administration realizes the value of aviation to our country.