The information below outlines the last major revision to the FAA medical standards a decade ago. These are 1996 amendments to the airman
medical standards of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The new
rules were effective September 16, 1996. The 1996 rule change
also amended the duration period of the third-class airman medical
certificate, when an airman medical certificate
is issued to an applicant who is under age 40, it is good
for a 3 year period. For a full discussion of the notice of proposed
rulemaking and final rule, see the Federal Register at
59 FR 53226 and
61 FR 11238.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS TO PART 67,
MEDICAL STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION
The following is a summary of the substantive revisions made by
this rulemaking. Because this rulemaking completely recodifies
part 67, this summary states both the current and new section/paragraph
numbers.
1. Distant visual acuity requirements for first- and second-class
medical certification are changed to delete the uncorrected acuity
standards. However, each eye must be corrected to 20/20 or better,
as in the current standard. [Current Secs. 67.13(b) and 67.15(b);
Final Secs. 67.103(a) and 67.203(a)]
2. For third-class medical certification, the current 20/50,
uncorrected, or 20/30, corrected, distant visual acuity standard
is changed to 20/40 or better, in each eye, with or without correction.
[Current Sec. 67.17(b); Final Sec. 67.303(a)]
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3. For first- and second-class medical certification, minimum
near visual acuity requirements are specified in terms of Snellen
equivalent (20/40), corrected or uncorrected, each eye, at 16
inches. This replaces the current standard of v=1.00 at 18 inches
for first-class only. An intermediate visual acuity standard
(near vision at 32 inches) of 20/40 or better at 32 inches Snellen
equivalent, corrected or uncorrected, is added to the first- and
second-class visual
requirements for persons over age 50. [Current Secs. 67.13(b)
and 67.15(b); Final Secs. 67.103(b), 67.203(b), and 67.303(b)]
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4. A near visual acuity standard of 20/40 or better, Snellen
equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without
correction is added to the third-class visual requirements. [Current
(None); Final Sec. 67.303(b)]
5. Color vision requirements are amended to read: "ability
to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of airman
duties,'' and are the same for all classes. Current standards
require
"normal color vision'' for first-class and the ability to
distinguish aviation signal colors for second- and third-class
applicants. [Current Secs. 67.13(b), 67.15(b), and 67.17(b);
Final Secs. 67.103(c), 67.203(c), and 67.303(c)]
6. The current first-class standard pertaining to pathological
conditions of the eye or adnexa that interfere or that may reasonably
be expected to interfere with proper function of an eye is substituted
in both the second- and third-class standards for the current
standards which specify, respectively, "no pathology of the
eye" and "no serious pathology of the eye." [Current
Secs. 67.15(b) and 67.17(b); Final Secs. 67.203(e) and 67.303(d)]
7. The "whispered voice test" for hearing is replaced
for all classes by a conversational voice test using both ears
at 6 feet; an audiometric word (speech) discrimination test to
a score of at least 70 percent obtained in one ear or in a sound
field environment; or pure tone audiometry according to a table
of acceptable thresholds (American National Standards Institute
(ANSI),
1969). [Current Secs. 67.13(c), 67.15(c), and 67.17(c); Final
Secs. 67.105(a), 67.205(a), and
67.305(a)]
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8. The standards pertaining to the ear, nose, mouth, pharynx,
and larynx are revised to more general terms and related to flying
and speech communication. Specific references to the mastoid
and eardrum are deleted. The current standard, "No disturbance
in equilibrium," is changed to, "No ear disease or condition
manifested by, or that may reasonably be expected to be manifested
by, vertigo or a disturbance of equilibrium." The amended
standards are the same for all classes.
[Current Secs. 67.13(c), 67.15(c), and 67.17(c); Final Secs. 67.105(b),
67.205(b), and 67.305(b)]
9. "Psychosis," as used in the final rule, refers
to a mental disorder in which the individual has delusions, hallucinations,
grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted
symptoms of this condition, or may reasonably be expected to manifest
such symptoms. [Current Secs. 67.13(d), 67.15(d), and 67.17(d);
Final Secs. 67.107(a), 67.207(a), and 67.307(a)]
10. Substance dependence and substance abuse are defined
and specified as disqualifying medical conditions. Substance
dependence is disqualifying unless there is clinical evidence,
satisfactory to the Federal Air Surgeon, of recovery, including
sustained total abstinence from the substance for not less than
the preceding 2 years. Substance abuse within the previous 2
years is disqualifying. It is defined as use of a substance in
a situation in which that use is physically hazardous if there
has been at any other time an instance of the use of a substance
also in a situation in which that use was physically hazardous;
or if a person has received a verified positive drug test result
under an anti-drug program of the Department of Transportation
or one of its administrations; or if the Federal Air Surgeon makes
a finding of substance abuse. Alcohol dependence and alcohol
abuse are included in the terms "substance dependence"
and "substance abuse", respectively. [Current Secs.
67.13(d), 67.15(d), and 67.17(d); Final Secs. 67.107(a) and (b),
67.207(a) and (b), and 67.307(a) and (b)]
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11. "Bipolar disorder" is added as a specifically
disqualifying condition. This addresses an issue created by a
change in nomenclature contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM III), and continued
in the DSM IV. [Current (None); Final Secs. 67.107(a), 67.207(a),
and 67.307(a)]
12. The general mental standard is amended to add the word
"other" before "mental." The final revised
standard reads, "No other personality disorder, neurosis,
or other mental condition * * *." [Current Secs. 67.13(d),
67.15(d), and 67.17(d); Final Secs. 67.107(c), 67.207(c), and
67.307(c)]
13. "A transient loss of control of nervous system function(s)
without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause,'' is added
as a specifically disqualifying neurologic condition. [Current
(None); Final Secs. 67.109(a), 67.209(a), and 67.309(a)]
14. The word "seizure," is substituted for "convulsive."
[Current Secs. 67.13(d), 67.15(d), and 67.17(d); Final Secs.
67.109(b), 67.209(b), and 67.309(b)]
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15. "Cardiac valve replacement," "permanent
cardiac pacemaker implantation," and "heart replacement"
are added as specifically disqualifying cardiovascular conditions
for all classes of
certification. [Current Secs. 67.13(e), 67.15(e), and 67.17(e);
Final Secs. 67.111(a); 67.211 (d), (e), and (f); and 67.311 (d),
(e), and (f)]
16. The time period for which an electrocardiogram may be
used to satisfy the requirements of the first-class medical certificate
is revised to 60 days from the current 90 days. [Current Sec.
67.13(e); Final Secs. 67.111(c)]
17. The current table of age-related maximum blood pressure
readings for applicants for first-class medical certificates and
the reference to "circulatory efficiency" are deleted.
Blood pressure
will continue to be assessed for all three classes but will be
evaluated under the appropriate general medical standards. [Current
Sec. 67.13(e); Final Secs. 67.113(b), 67.213(b), and 67.313(b)]
18. Current Sec. 67.19, Special issue of medical certificates,
is rewritten [Final Sec. 67.401(a)] to provide for, at the discretion
of the Federal Air Surgeon, an "Authorization for a Special
Issuance of Medical Certificate" (Authorization), valid for
a specified period of time. An individual who does not meet the
published standards of part 67 may be issued a medical certificate
of the appropriate class if he or she possesses a valid Authorization.
The duration of any medical certificate issued in accordance
with Sec. 67.401 is for the period specified at the time of its
issuance or until withdrawal of an Authorization upon which the
certificate is based. A new Authorization is required after expiration,
and the applicant must again request Authorization.
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19. Final Sec. 67.401(b) provides for a Statement of Demonstrated
Ability (SODA) instead of an Authorization. A SODA will be issued
without expiration date to applicants whose disqualifying conditions
are static or nonprogressive and who have been found capable of
performing airman duties without endangering public safety. A
SODA authorizes an aviation medical examiner to issue a medical
certificate if the condition is unchanged and the applicant is
otherwise eligible.
20. Final Sec. 67.401(e) retains the language of current
Sec. 67.19(c) regarding consideration of the freedom of a private
pilot to accept reasonable risks to his or her own person or property
that are not acceptable in the exercise of commercial or airline
transport pilot privileges, and consideration at the same time
of the need to protect the safety of persons and property in other
aircraft and on the ground.
21. Final Sec. 67.401(f) adds language that explicitly provides
that the Federal Air Surgeon may withdraw the Authorization or
SODA. An Authorization or SODA may be withdrawn at any time for
(1) adverse change in medical condition, (2) failure to comply
with its provisions, (3) potential endangerment of public safety,
(4) failure to provide medical information, or (5) the making
or causing to be made of a statement that is covered by Sec. 67.403.
22. Final Sec. 67.401(i) permits a person to request that
the Federal Air Surgeon review a decision to withdraw an Authorization
or SODA. The request for a review must be made within 60 days
of the service of the letter that withdrew the Authorization or
SODA. The review procedures will be on an expedited basis and
will provide the affected holder of an Authorization or SODA a
full opportunity to respond to a withdrawal by submitting appropriate
supporting evidence.
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23. Final Sec. 67.403 differs from current Sec. 67.20 by
providing for denial of an airman medical certificate if the application
for an airman medical certificate is falsified. Though this consequence
is implied, the current regulation specifically provides only
for revocation or suspension of certificates. Additionally, Sec.
67.403 provides for denial or withdrawal of any Authorization
or SODA if the information provided to obtain it is incorrect,
either knowingly or unknowingly. Finally, Sec. 67.403(c) makes
an unknowingly incorrect statement that the FAA relied upon in
making its decisions regarding an application for an airman medical
certificate or a request for an Authorization or SODA, a basis
for denial, revocation, or suspension of an airman medical certificate
and the denial or withdrawal of an Authorization or SODA.
24. A new Sec. 67.415 provides that the holder of any medical
certificate that is suspended or revoked shall, upon the Administrator's
request, return it to the Administrator. The FAA practice always
has been to request return of the certificate in such circumstances
to avoid any misunderstanding as to the validity of the certificate.
25. Where appropriate, changes are made to eliminate gender-specific
pronouns, to replace "applicant" with "person,"
to use current position titles and addresses, to correct spelling
and improve syntax, and to adjust section and paragraph references.
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