FAA tries to catch up with AOPA TurboMedical via online applications
Nearly six years after AOPA launched its interactive online TurboMedical form, the FAA is rolling out its own online medical application called MedXPress. The form is already accessible to pilots in the western United States and will be available to all pilots within the next few months.
"AOPA had advocated for a TurboMedical interface with the agency's program, but unfortunately the FAA has not incorporated our requests," said Gary Crump, AOPA director of medical certification. "We're continuing to work toward that goal, and we'll be meeting next week with Frederick Tilton, the FAA federal air surgeon."
Unlike TurboMedical, MedXPress does not flag potentially disqualifying answers or provide information on what tests and hospital paperwork the FAA wants attached to applications from pilots with certain medical conditions. And once the form is submitted, pilots cannot make changes - even to correct minor errors.
"To avoid mistakes, we suggest that you complete AOPA's TurboMedical form first as a trial run to identify any conditions that will require additional documentation," Crump said. "Then, you can use TurboMedical as a guide to fill out the online form, or you can just print TurboMedical and take it to your aviation medical examiner."
While the FAA won't accept TurboMedical forms online yet, the agency will accept the printed version. (For more information, see AOPA's regulatory brief.)
Pilots who plan to use the FAA's MedXPress must set up an account and select a password to access the form. After submitting the application online, the FAA will send you an e-mail with a registration number that you will need to take with you to your flight physical so that the AME can access your application.
April 26, 2007
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