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Old July 22nd 16, 12:05 AM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
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Default Senate and House have Approved Third-Class Medical Reform

Vaughn Simon wrote:
On 7/21/2016 3:49 PM, Larry Dighera wrote:
Here's a case in point:

http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.av...6-17b4751406da
National Transportation Safety Board Washington, DC 20594


OK, but what exactly IS your point?

That pilot apparently had a valid medical certificate, which did NOTHING
to prevent the accident, because a cursory one-time physical exam simply
has little chance of predicting a sudden incapacitation event.

Wouldn't it have been better to train him to self-recognize dangerous
symptoms in himself? In that case, perhaps he wouldn't have taken that
flight, or perhaps turned around in time?


Which is what will be required when the 3rd class requirement goes away
though it is likely in this particular case there no symptoms before the
"big one" hit.

Things like that tend to stay hidden until the first time you keel over.

Also, not to belabor the point, but the present system presents a huge
disincentive to pilots who detect symptoms in themselves. If they go to
the doctor, they run the risk of receiving a diagnosis that will ground
them. So that's an incentive to not go, and just to hope that the
symptoms go away!


True, and the new system eliminates that issue because no one has
to report this to the FAA. You do have to ground yourself during treatment
until the doctor tells you you are good to go.


--
Jim Pennino