Sport Pilot rule makes U-turn in rulemaking process, now back at FAA
Mar. 25, 2004 - The FAA has temporarily withdrawn the proposed Sport Pilot rule from consideration by the federal Office of Management and Budget. Just before a 90-day review period expired, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey ordered the proposal withdrawn so that the agency could answer questions about the economic cost/benefits of the pending rule raised during the OMB review.
The White House, through OMB, evaluates all proposed and pending final rules, examining the cost and benefits of regulatory agency actions. Their review is essentially the final step in the Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft approval process.
AOPA has been advocating on behalf of the Sport Pilot rule in large part because of the proposal's recognition that a driver's license is adequate evidence of medical fitness to fly. In accordance with FAR 61.53, pilots must continually self-certify their medical fitness and must ground themselves if they know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make them unable to meet the medical requirements.
[See also AOPA's regulatory brief on Sport Pilot.]
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