Sport Pilot Catch 22
Encyclopedia
The Sport Pilot Catch 22 is a technicality in the FAA rules that can permanently prevent qualified pilots from obtaining or exercising the privileges of the Sport Pilot certificate because of common medical problems. Ironically, this defeats the very purpose for which it was created.
The "catch 22" is that one of the most common reasons for not possessing a current medical clearance is because the pilot has failed an FAA medical exam due to medical conditions that develop later in life, such as heart problems and diabetes, which are not serious enough to lose their state drivers license. Since the condition is likely to exist for the rest of their lives, they may be grounded from ever acting as pilot in command of airplane unless the applicant seeks and is granted a "special issuance" medical certificate from the FAA. Some conditions that would normally be grounds for denial of an FAA medical certificate may be permanently waived through a SODA (statement of demonstrated ability) attached to their FAA medical records.
"Grounded for life" is a bit extreme. One can always petition the FAA for a "special issuance".
The FAA's thinking behind the Rule: If the pilot's potentially disqualifying medical condition is unknown (no application for a medical certificate has been made and rejected), then the pilot is OK to fly as a Sport Pilot. But once the condition becomes known, the FAA has no choice but to deny flying privileges.
(Note that diabetes may no longer be grounds for denial of FAA medical certification, under certain circumstances.)
The rule
Pilots must meet certain medical requirements. A pilot wishing to obtain or exercise the privileges of the Sport Pilot certificate must satisfy one of the following conditions:- The pilot must have a current 3rd class or higher medical clearance
- Or, in lieu of such medical clearance, the pilot must prove that he/she meets the much less stringent medical standards set forth by State Divisions of Motor Vehicles by holding a current US State driver's license PROVIDED they were not rejected for their last FAA medical clearance.
The "catch 22" is that one of the most common reasons for not possessing a current medical clearance is because the pilot has failed an FAA medical exam due to medical conditions that develop later in life, such as heart problems and diabetes, which are not serious enough to lose their state drivers license. Since the condition is likely to exist for the rest of their lives, they may be grounded from ever acting as pilot in command of airplane unless the applicant seeks and is granted a "special issuance" medical certificate from the FAA. Some conditions that would normally be grounds for denial of an FAA medical certificate may be permanently waived through a SODA (statement of demonstrated ability) attached to their FAA medical records.
An example of the Sport Pilot Catch 22
- A career airline pilot has 20,000 hours of experience as pilot in command. In his 50's, he develops diabetesDiabetes mellitus type 2Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and...
and loses his medical clearance. He would like to continue flying light sport aircraft, but it would be illegal because his last medical clearance was rejected or revoked. Unless the rule is changed, he is grounded for the remainder of his life.
- A 65 year old retiree with exactly the same diabetic condition as the pilot in example 1 decides to take up flying and begins training for the Sport Pilot certificate. After completing the 20 hours of training, he successfully obtains his certificate and he uses his state drivers license in lieu of a 3rd class medical clearance. Though he has the same medical problem as the airline pilot in example 1, and 3 orders of magnitude less experience than the first pilot, he can legally pilot a Light Sport Aircraft.
- After flying for a year and logging 200 total hours in Light Sport Aircraft, the now 66 year old pilot in paragraph 2 decides to step up to a Private Pilot certificate. As part of the medical requirement, he takes an FAA physical and fails due to his diabetes. Though his condition has not changed since he started flying and his skill level has only gotten better with experience, it is now illegal for him to pilot an aircraft. And since he will always have diabetes, he is grounded for life.
"Grounded for life" is a bit extreme. One can always petition the FAA for a "special issuance".
The FAA's thinking behind the Rule: If the pilot's potentially disqualifying medical condition is unknown (no application for a medical certificate has been made and rejected), then the pilot is OK to fly as a Sport Pilot. But once the condition becomes known, the FAA has no choice but to deny flying privileges.
(Note that diabetes may no longer be grounds for denial of FAA medical certification, under certain circumstances.)
Sources
- AOPA petitions FAA to allow more pilots back in the air http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060608sport.html
- Petition for Rulemaking to Amend the Recreational and Sport Pilot Medical Certification Requirements http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060608sport-letter.pdf
- Federal Aviation Regulations, FAR Part 61, at GPO Electronic Code of Federal Regulations http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=40760189a03dfea0b501608f33820a45&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2&idno=14
See also
- Light-sport aircraftLight-sport AircraftA Light-sport aircraft, also known as light sport aircraft or LSA, is a small aircraft that is simple to fly and which meets certain regulations set by a National aviation authority restricting weight and performance...
- Sport Pilot
- Federal Aviation RegulationsFederal Aviation RegulationsThe Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
- Catch-22Catch-22 (logic)A Catch-22, coined by Joseph Heller in his novel Catch-22, is a logical paradox arising from a situation in which an individual needs something that can only be acquired with an action that will lead him to that very situation he is already in; therefore, the acquisition of this thing becomes...