Mike Borgelt wrote:
How many people actually know what the medical criteria and disqualifying
conditions are?
I certainly do not (and I have a better 'lay' understanding of medicine
than most as both my parents were medics) - it is after all, a matter of
degree in many cases. I decided nearly a couple of years ago to take
myself off to a DME and get a PPL medical.
I certainly do not favour increased regulation of this issue by the GFA
(or CASA), but there are issues associated with the medical. I have sat
on the IP at two clubs where we have debated this issue and the legal
ramifications for the club and its officers that might result if an
unfit pilot had an accident with a passenger on board. One club now
requires that instructors (including AEIs) have their medical signed off
by their regular medical practitioner. A number of instructors who are
not power pilots have decided, like myself, that the best approach is to
have a PPL medical.
Let's face it, glider pilots as a group are getting older on average. I
sincerely hope that I will know when the time has come for me to stop
instructing and flying solo. However, I am only too well aware of the
human ability to gloss over things. Hence my decision for myself to have
a PPL medical (which will now get much more expensive - sigh).
If the self declaration is going to be kept, we must all remember that
along with that privilege comes the responsibility to exercise that
privilege wisely. That may well mean getting an informed third party
opinion on one's fitness to fly. I decided to form that habit well
before (I hope!) my fitness to fly becomes an issue. That way, I do not
have to make that decision later when I might be worried about failing -
and hence fall at the ethical hurdle.
--
Robert Hart [EMAIL PROTECTED]
+61 (0)438 385 533 http://www.hart.wattle.id.au
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