What a Super AME told our EAA Chapter ....
First, you may recall there are about 25 so-called Super-AMEs ... who have increased credibility/authority with the FAA. They have ability to get FAA approval on medical cases and issues that a "normal" AME cannot. In more recent years, they have worked very closely with the OKC authorities and have significant credibility thereto.
In March, one of the Super AMEs was the guest speaker at our monthly Chapter meeting, and told us that the AOPA initiative on the 3rd Class medical exemption was a huge mistake. It was undertaken largely because it would be viewed by AOPA members as the organization working for them, not because it was likely to happen or get FAA approval. IOW, it was a membership "thing", not a realistic initiative with expectations for regulation reform.
In the history of the FAA the largest single exemption to any of the three medical classes was seven ex-military pilots in a rare and one-time situation. As our speaker put it, "Why would anyone think the FAA would go from a historic seven one-time exemptions to 300,000 in one step? It made no sense." He advised the AOPA to NOT undertake the exemption process in that manner ... he advised them to work quietly with the FAA and the Super AMEs for a smaller group exemption first. Clearly, they did not listen to his advice. Based on the above, there is no realistic expectation the AOPA/EAA petition will go anywhere in the next few years. Regulatory reform for pilot medicals will come a lot slower and take years to accomplish.
