Will Skidmore puts the skids on class 2 medicals

[DrZoos]

23rd August 2016

 

The Hon Darren Chester MP

 

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

 

House of Representatives

 

Parliament House

 

Canberra ACT 2600

 

Australia.

 

Mr Mark Skidmore

 

Director of Aviation Safety (CASA)

 

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

 

GPO Box 2005

 

Canberra ACT 2601

 

Australia

 

- Members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

 

- Users of the Aviation Advertiser – Australia network

 

- Government Ministers and Senators

 

- Industry media

 

AOPA Proposed Policy on Class 2

 

Private Pilot Medical Certification.

 

The Hon Darren Chester MP,

 

Over the past year aviation regulators in the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (US) and New Zealand (NZ) have all moved to reform their medical requirements for Private Pilots License holders, following extensive evidence based assessment and review.

 

These reforms (which have been previously communicated to your office) have been heralded by the global aviation community and are expected to breathe essential life back into the general aviation economies of each respective country.

 

AOPA Australia over the past five years has received thousands of telephone calls and emails from private pilots, all calling for broad reform of Australia’s Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification system. Our membership have demonstrated that a high number of Australian private pilots are being subjected to unfair and unreasonable medical assessments by CASA AVMED which has removed fit and healthy pilots from Australia’s general aviation community and subjected thousands of pilots to unnecessary delays and expense regarding medical assessment.

 

In consideration of our membership feedback and moves by international regulators, AOPA Australia has produced a clear Proposed Policy position on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification - to which we have attached to this email and included below.

 

The AOPA proposed policy on Class 2 Private Pilot Medical Certification is important to the future of Australia's general aviation industry and if implemented will serve to reconnect thousands of perfectly healthy pilots who have been unfairly discriminated by the existing CASA AVMED system.

 

This vital reform will dramatically reduce licensing costs to industry and will remove unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and red-tape that have contributed to the serious decline in general aviation pilots in Australia, which based on CASA’s own data amounts to some 8,000+ pilots exiting our industry (see chart below).

 

 

AOPA’s policy will help kick-start and re-invigorate private flying activity within the general aviation industry, which will result in increasing demand for the varying support services whilst creating valuable jobs and opportunities for small business across Australia.

 

In the recently published CASA Stakeholder Relationship Health Report (click here to download), the surveyed industry stakeholders made clear their sincere dissatisfaction with regard to both CASA’s decision making and performance. Industry has sent a loud and clear message that we cannot continue with the current system.

 

Australia’s general aviation industry is calling on you as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport to direct CASA to adopt the AOPA proposed policy without delay, sending a clear message of support to our industry and the small businesses who rely on it.

 

AOPA is ready to meet with you and looks forward to the opportunity to discuss this vital policy in more detail.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

BENJAMIN MORGAN

 

Executive Director - Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

 

Mobile: 0415 577 724

 

Telephone: (02) 9791 9099

 

Email: [email protected]

 

 

AOPA PROPOSED POLICY ON

 

CLASS 2 PRIVATE PILOT MEDICAL CERTIFICATION

 

Issued 23rd August 2016

 

1. The medical standard for the Class 2 Medical Certificate will be that of an AustRoads Unrestricted Private Drivers Medical with no ROUTINE requirement to attend for medical examinations except in the situations outlined below

 

2. The pilot will have to make a legally binding statement that they meet this standard once prior to the age of 70 years and every 3 years after the age of 70

 

3. Any pilot who does not meet this medical standard will be required to apply for their certificate by seeing a DAME. This includes those pilots who hold a Restricted Private Drivers License Medical or those pilots who are currently classified as “renew by CASA only”. The DAME will have the delegation to issue the certificate after due consideration. CASA AVMED would be involved only if the DAME wants backup or support for decision making

 

4. Applicants with a history of any of the following conditions must apply to a DAME for consideration of their case. They must support their application with records from their GP and/or Specialist.

 

a. Medication for any psychiatric illness

 

b. Bipolar disorder, psychosis or a diagnosis of personality disorder

 

c. Drug abuse or alcohol misuse or addiction (or conviction for drink/drunk driving)

 

d. Medication treatment for angina or heart failure

 

e. Cardiac surgery including cardiac device implantation

 

f. Recurrent fainting or collapse (syncope)

 

g. Unexplained loss of consciousness

 

h. Insulin treatment

 

i. Chronic lung disease with shortness of breath on exertion

 

j. Any neurological condition requiring medication

 

k. Epilepsy

 

l. Significant functional physical disability likely to impair safe operation of normal flight controls

 

5. It is anticipated that for simple cases properly backed up by specialist reports that the DAME may in consultation with the applicants General Practitioner and/or Specialist be delegated to issue a class 2 certificate for a restricted period of time. If the DAME is not prepared to do this he/she may refer the case to CASA AVMED for full assessment

 

6. Under the proposed system the onus is on the pilot to report any possible reduction of flying capabilities as a result of medical conditions to their DAME. The DAME can advise the pilot and certify the pilot fit to fly at a later date if he/she is happy with the recovery. If the DAME is unhappy with the situation he/she may refer the matter to CASA AVMED

 

LIMITATIONS

 

- The weight limit will be 2,500 Kg

 

- The number of passengers will be limited to five (5)

 

- Those pilots requiring an instrument rating will need to see a DAME on a regular basis (4 years under 40 and 2 yearly thereafter). The DAME can issue the certificate or refer to AVMED as necessary

 

- Night VFR will be covered under the proposed new system

 

- Those pilots requiring a higher aircraft weight limit or increased number of passengers will need to be seen by a DAME who can issue the certificate or refer to AVMED as they feel necessary.

 

-------

 

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia was established in 1949 to ensure aircraft owners and pilots were afforded the freedom to fly without unnecessary cost and restriction. AOPA remains Australia’s leading aviation advocacy group, serving general aviation for over 67 years.

 

 

[DrZoos]

maybee???

 

 

[Robbo]

Don't hold your breath.

 

 

[greybeard]

errrr, to/from in the email don't seem to impart the same message as the thread title.

 

 

[Head in the clouds]

Zoos - referring to the title you created for this thread, in which way do you consider that Mr Skidmore has 'put the skids' under anything? You've referenced a letter and proposal from Mr Morgan of AOPA, to CASA, nothing more ... and no CASA response.

 

"maybee???" you say ... Even if it had Mr Skidmore's unwavering support, based on historical performance of this bureaucracy, it'd be years before any change comes about, and when it does, it won't be by a model offered by an Aus industry or community group, it'll be a virtual carbon copy of another nation's legislation, most likely that of USA.

 

 

[DrZoos]

There was a will? In there and i some how deleted it, unable to edit titles...

 

I have a new dodgy keyboard that i keep bumping the touch pad, so my aweful, spelling editing and writing is more horendous than normal..

 

 

[greybeard]

where there is a will there is (a)way

 

 

[Pearo]

Oh my, so the decline in private pilots is all related to Class 2 medicals... Sigh...

 

Of course cost has nothing to do with it.

 

 

[greybeard]

Oh my, so the decline in private pilots is all related to Class 2 medicals... Sigh...Of course cost has nothing to do with it.

To blame the decline in private pilots solely on the cost of a class 2 medical is absurd.

 

Does the cost of a class 2 have an impact, in my case at least, yes.

 

I hold a PPL, I stopped flying a few years ago when I needed to divert funds to raising my family rather than punching holes in the air. My choice.

 

Then I debated renewing my medical and retraining to retain my PPL privileges or going down the RAA path. Initially the cost comparison (for my personal cost point of view as opposed to flying costs) was between a class 2 medical every 2 years (over 40 years old) and RAA fees every year. The balance in my case went towards staying with my PPL. Then I hit a snag. I fell over the edge and was found to have just tipped the edge of type 2 diabetes. Now I'm up for the best part of ~$1k per annum for a class 2. Get to see my DAME, have a special visit to an eye doc and a cardio every year then my DAME and all the specialists get to have their (and my) answers checked by CASA (took them 5 months last time). To see if I'll fall off the perch before my next medical.

 

All the specialists I visit want to know why I'm wasting their time when they have actual sick people they could be treating. I'm wondering why I'm urinating so much money against the wall for no valid medical reason apart from I'm daft enough to want to live in Australia and practice aviation.

 

So, it might be just me but, my contribution to actual aviation is in decline as a result of CASA and their unique aviation medical requirements.

 

Or it could be that Australian aviators are more likely to fall off the perch than non Australian aviators.

 

 

[Admin]

Thread title updated

 

 

[Birdseye]

What's wrong about being creative with statistical data? We have entire government departments that specialise in it. Tit for tat.

 

 

[old man emu]

Skidmore won't. Someone's put the skids under him.

 

 

[ave8rr]

Skidmore won't. Someone's put the skids under him.

Yep...He's probably upset a few of those long time dept heads who won't accept change!

 

 

[DrZoos]

Skidmore and every new senior exec needs to go do a 3 month work experience program in the USA...

 

 

[Vev]

Skidmore has resigned today.

 

Skidmore resigns as CASA CEO and director of aviation safety | Australian Aviation

 

 

[Robbo]

Bi

 

Skidmore has resigned today.Skidmore resigns as CASA CEO and director of aviation safety | Australian Aviation

bit slow Vev, thread here.

Mr Skidmore resigned from CASA?

 

 

[Vev]

Bibit slow Vev, thread here.

Mr Skidmore resigned from CASA?

Thanks Robbo

 

Yep.... I'm not as fast as use to be!

 

 

[Robbo]

Thanks RobboYep.... I'm not as fast as use to be!

Think many of us are in the same boat.

 

 

[DrZoos]

Pathetic time at the healm.....now the next fool will roll in from the airforce or airline, collect a fortune , do nothing and take a huge super payout for life.

 

 

[Frankus1aust]

So regarding the post, how do we participate in the petition? (I assume there is a petition?) Did I miss something? As much as the class 2 is not the total source of the industry decline, I can think of at least five pilots who now aren't flying due to Class 2 issues yet are perfectly healthy. I had one as well and after 18 years of trying, I finally have my class 2 back. Most pilots won't go through trouble and expense. Complete BS all the way.

 

 

[Vev]

Here's the petition.

 

I think this is a worthwhile process and we should all support AOPA with this initiative.

 

I think it would be best to send to both AOPA and the Minsiter if you sign it.

 

Cheers

 

Vev

 

AOPA Letter.pdf

 

AOPA Petition.pdf

 

AOPA Policy.pdf

 

AOPA Letter.pdf

 

AOPA Petition.pdf

 

AOPA Policy.pdf

 

AOPA Letter.pdf

AOPA Petition.pdf

AOPA Policy.pdf

[docjell]

Petitions aside- AOPA's initiative is so right. A class 2 medical is an anachronistic throwback that

 

means little patho- physiologically but probably lots financially/ politically to CASA. I am a very experienced diver and private pilot. I've also been subjecting folk to medicals they didn't need for years.(always no charge)

 

As a senior staff medical specialist I have carried out numerous (meaningless) examinations for divers , and despite years of appropriate experience CASA does not regard me as "qualified" to carry out class 2 medicals(which are a meaningless joke). I could of course 'qualify' to do this this but at great expense - why should I?

 

I cynically think that my profession has spent a lot of time and energy mystifying medical "fitness" for a lot of pursuits- diving,climbing,flying, but at the end of the day most medical problems are totally predictable and yet we insist on punishing sufferers of completely unrelated conditions to bans or extra money for what? I would happily dive with a diabetic buddy (I do) and would,very happily fly with a hypertensive/diabetic / ischaemia heart disease sufferer - who was well controlled . There are a very few medical conditions that lend themselves to mandating' on the ground or on the surface' restricitions- we know what they are and so do the patients .

 

My cousin- with whom I dived often - was a fit non smoking guy who had a subarachnoid haemorrhage that killed him within 6 hours of onset. His medicals were always rubber-stamp perfect. He was 51 . Go figure

 

Cheers docjell

 

 

[Chrism]

So, can anyone tell me why an RAA instructor has to pass a Class 2 medical?

 

Chris

 

 

[turboplanner]

He's effectively performing as a commercial pilot, so he should be maintaining a higher level of all skills and obligations.

 

 

[old man emu]

So, can anyone tell me why an RAA instructor has to pass a Class 2 medical?Chris

He's effectively performing as a commercial pilot, so he should be maintaining a higher level of all skills and obligations.

Higher level of skills, yes. Different level of health, wouldn't expect it to be necessary.

 

As a result of CASA's AVMED incredibly high health standards, an Australian pilot surely has the ability to destroy 99% of known diseases in a single flypast.

 

OME