On 10-31-2010 12:19, vaughn wrote:


That said, there is really no convincing evidence that a doctor can predict your
health over the next two years based on a written form and a quick external
physical exam. In fact, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary. In short,
the 3rd class medical certificate has no provable safety value and is simply an
expensive "gift" to the medical profession at the expense of the aviation
community.

Vaughn

However, a medical exam may catch a problem that may potentially become
"life threatening" or incapacitating that is unknown to the examinee.
That is exactly what happens when someone loses their medical...they go
in, unknowing that there is any problem and come out with a denied
medical. I do agree that there is no guarantee that one will remain
healthy in the time between exams. Like I was always told, "You're just
one medical away from an ultralight."