Why do pilots need a medical

by "Andrew Sarangan" Nov 16, 2005 at 07:27 PM


The recent questions about medical certificate, paper trail, sport
pilot etc.. etc..got me thinking. What is the reasoning behind
requiring a medical for pilots? Why is a minor medical condition
disqualifying for flying a Cessna 172, when the same person can drive a
20,000 lb truck on public roads? Are there statistic to show that
medically unfit pilots are a greater danger to society compared to
other activities?

Completely inaccurate and untrue. In fact, medical testing requirements
are tougher for a CDL than for a PPL. Surely some pilots out there also
have CDLs. A link to reality:

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...on/medical.htm

You are comparing apples to oranges. The majority of Cessna 172 pilots
are not flying for hire. I do not have a problem with for-hire pilots
needing a medical.

You can drive a heavy truck with a regular drivers license. You don't
need a medical or a CDL.

Drug and alcohol tests for pilots are fine too. There is clear evidence
that shows that driving/flying under the influence is dangerous to the
public. However, there is no overwhelming evidence that a pilot with a
blood pressure 20 points higher than normal is so much of a hazard
that they should be barred from flying.

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote

You can drive a heavy truck with a regular drivers license. You don't
need a medical or a CDL.

Define heavy truck. If it carries 16 passengers or more, or if it has a GVW
of more than 10,000 pounds, you better have a CDL. Certain other exemptions
do apply.
--
Jim in NC

What about Uhaul trucks?

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
oups.com...
What about Uhaul trucks?

Good question. I seem to remember 12,500 pounds as the weight limit from my
CDL training long ago, but when I looked it up (a little bit ago), I came up
with the 10,000 pound limit.

I don't recall any exception for U-hauls, so it would not surprise me if
U-haul does not give a sh*t about who is driving their trucks.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:
"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message
oups.com...

What about Uhaul trucks?

Good question. I seem to remember 12,500 pounds as the weight limit from my
CDL training long ago, but when I looked it up (a little bit ago), I came up
with the 10,000 pound limit.

Four of the five box-on-frame trucks U-Haul rents exceed this and two exceed
12,500. No mention on their site that I could find about license requirements.

George Patterson
If a tank is out of ammunition, what you have is a sixty ton portable
radio.

The 26' Uhaul truck has a gross weight of 20,000 lb according to their
website. I rented this truck once, and I don't have a CDL.

"George Patterson" wrote

Four of the five box-on-frame trucks U-Haul rents exceed this and two
exceed
12,500. No mention on their site that I could find about license
requirements.

Budget truck rentals says specifically that you do not need a CDL for even
their 24 foot truck. I must admit, I don't understand it.
--
Jim in NC