Press release from the European Society of Aerospace Medicine
Unfit private pilots in Europe?
The European parliament will be enacting into European Law the proposals for the medical certification of a pilot's fitness to fly, based upon the published opinion of the European Aviation Safety Agency.
ESAM represents every significant aerospace medical organisation in Europe, which collectively have 4000 members. It has worked closely with EASA during the period of evolution of the new proposals. The society remains gravely concerned about two specific aspects of the new rules, which relate particularly to a new form of flying licence, the Light Aircraft Pilots Licence (LAPL):
- The creation of the LAPL will introduce into Europe a licence where the medical standards of fitness fall well below the internationally recognised medical standard.
- The assessment of fitness to fly under these new standards can be made by doctors who have no specialist training in, or knowledge of, aviation medicine
ESAM urges European legislators to review the proposal in order to maintain the safety of European Airspace. Notes to editors: ESAM was founded in 2006 to be an umbrella organisation for all those who practice in, or have an interest in, aviation and aerospace medicine. It has grown rapidly and every significant aerospace organisation in continental Europe is now a member.
Further information about ESAM is available from www.ESAM.aero
Note 1. As published by the European Aviation Safety Agency. http://easa.europa.eu/rulemaking/comment-response-documents-CRDs-and-rev...
Note 2. An article, originally published in Aviation Space and Environment medicine July 2009 can be downloaded here.
For further information please contact the Information Director of ESAM, Dr Lilla Ungvary or Vice President, Dr. Kevin Herbert .
