First, let me state right off, so that this doesn't get deleted...this post is NOT about the politics of passing PBOR2. This is just some thoughts following a discussion with my AME today during my flight physical.
[ed. If I'm not at the computer, and this turns too politics in any way, I would ask one of the moderators to lock it down. There are MUCH more appropriate boards for those discussions. FMI: rule #3 at http://www.vansairforce.net/rules.htm v/r,dr]
1. Yes, the FAA is still all het up about sleep apnea, BMI, risk factors, etc. Make damned sure you study up on the new guidelines and be prepared to answer a series of questions. The AME guidelines are at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/guide.pdf
If you manage to trip yourself into one of the higher risk categories, you'll get the pleasure of doling out bunches of money for sleep studies, a Special Issuance, etc. And it doesn't appear to hard to end up there...BMI over 30 and your spouse says you snore? Bingo. Etc.
2. We talked for a while about the PBOR2 new medical requirements. He hit on something I had thought of...that the language of the bill requires your primary care physician to *sign a statement* that you are medically fit to fly. His concern (and mine) is that what will happen is that most doctors will NOT sign such a statement, as it opens them to huge liability in the event of an accident. Which puts you...where? Back to going to an AME (who has some level of liability protection by virtue of representing the FAA)? Shopping for doctors? What?
Just some conversation-starting topics...wondered what others' thoughs were on these items.
[ed. If I'm not at the computer, and this turns too politics in any way, I would ask one of the moderators to lock it down. There are MUCH more appropriate boards for those discussions. FMI: rule #3 at http://www.vansairforce.net/rules.htm v/r,dr]
1. Yes, the FAA is still all het up about sleep apnea, BMI, risk factors, etc. Make damned sure you study up on the new guidelines and be prepared to answer a series of questions. The AME guidelines are at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/guide.pdf
If you manage to trip yourself into one of the higher risk categories, you'll get the pleasure of doling out bunches of money for sleep studies, a Special Issuance, etc. And it doesn't appear to hard to end up there...BMI over 30 and your spouse says you snore? Bingo. Etc.
2. We talked for a while about the PBOR2 new medical requirements. He hit on something I had thought of...that the language of the bill requires your primary care physician to *sign a statement* that you are medically fit to fly. His concern (and mine) is that what will happen is that most doctors will NOT sign such a statement, as it opens them to huge liability in the event of an accident. Which puts you...where? Back to going to an AME (who has some level of liability protection by virtue of representing the FAA)? Shopping for doctors? What?
Just some conversation-starting topics...wondered what others' thoughs were on these items.
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