Sam Graves Statement on FAA Issuance of 3rd Class Medical Rule

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves issued the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday announced final issuance of Third Class Medical Reform. The policy was included in last year’s FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. Specifically, in section 2307 of H.R. 636, which was signed into law on July 15, 2016.

“Today is a great day for pilots all across the country, said Rep. Graves, co-chair of the House General Aviation Caucus. “Many of us have been fighting for third class medical reform for well over five years, hoping to streamline and simplify the medical certification requirements for pilots. To have accomplished that goal today – after half a decade of work – is truly a testament to the grassroots support for third class medical reform from our community, and to the continual advocacy of the House General Aviation Caucus and our GA industry leaders." 

H.R. 636 gave the FAA 180 days to issue final Third Class Medical Reform guidelines. The final rule announced today codifies the exact language of section 2307, and will become effective on May 1, 2017.

“Third class medical reform is the best thing to happen to general aviation in decades,” said AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker. “Thanks to the hard work of Congressman Sam Graves and others, pilots across America will have a safer and more efficient system for medical certification, and AOPA’s new Fit to Fly resources, including the free online medical education course, will inform doctors and pilots how the new process will work.”

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