Pilot Health Requirements
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) once-controversial plan for testing pilots for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) now reflects a practical approach for ad-dressing the condition, without compromising flight safety.
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “This new guidance reflects a pivot for the agency, which combines common sense with clinical discipline. Particularly noteworthy is that under the new guidance, pilots will be able to continue to fly while being evaluated for OSA.”
In late 2013, the FAA revealed a plan that it would consider requiring any pilot with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, and a neck size of 17 inches or greater, to undergo OSA screening prior to receiving a medical certificate.
On Jan. 23, 2015, the FAA’s federal air surgeon shared aviation organizations its revised plans for aviation medical examiners (AMEs) regarding screening for OSA. Set to take effect on March 2, 2015 the new AME guidance will not rely on a pilot’s BMI to diagnose OSA; instead the new policy states: “The risk of OSA will be determined by an integrated assessment of history, symptoms and physical/clinical findings,” and must incorporate guidance from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in determining pilots’ airworthiness.
Along with a broader, more practical view of a pilot’s overall health situation, the FAA’s new guidance will also facilitate an easier process for individuals who exhibit a series of OSA symptoms to receive a medical diagnosis by their own health care provider, not just sleep specialists. Additionally, the FAA has provided up to 90 days for pilots required to receive additional evaluation to provide documentation to an AME. Pilots can also request an additional 30 days if they notify their AME.
NBAA’s website (www.nbaa.org) has information on the situation, and the Association’s efforts to ensure that the industry’s concerns are understood.
New Wake Turbulence Spacing Procedures
Will Increase Efficiency
At Airports
Air traffic controllers (ATC) are planning on decreasing the spacing of aircraft in the skies surrounding some of the nation’s busiest airports. This will save fuel and time, and increase capacity, while reducing aircraft emissions.
According to the NBAA, “wake turbulence recategorization,” or “Wake RECAT,” enables controllers to space aircraft by type and performance, considering wingspan and approach speed, rather than just takeoff weight. By accounting for the different wake vortices generated by each aircraft, controllers can achieve greater flight efficiency while not compromising safety.
“More than likely, as a pilot you will never know this change in separation is being applied to your aircraft,” said Bob Lamond, NBAA’s director of air traffic services and infrastructure. “Further, no control instructions will be issued to pilots to use the new separation standards. RECAT is an internal procedure applied by the radar controller at the ATC facility. NBAA supports the RECAT effort and believes it will pay benefits to business aviation.”
The new standards came about after a decade of collaborative research by turbulence, safety and risk experts from the FAA, Department of Transportation, European nations and the aviation industry.
At Memphis International Airport, the busiest cargo airport in North America, reduced spacing saved FedEx 4.18 million gallons of fuel and chopped the company’s aircraft emissions by nearly 40 metric tons.
The FAA will soon add Wake RECAT procedures at several New York area airports, including : John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Teterboro Airport (TEB).
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and at both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston are also slated to start using Wake RECAT procedures soon.
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