Michael Payne wrote:
For at least 10-14 years starting in about 1986 I had my FAA (Federal
Aviation Administration) doctor fill in the 6 monthly pilot physical
mass in kilograms only, that was the weight on my FAA physical, a
piece of paper every pilot has to carry around. Also on there was my
height in meters. Starting probably around the year 2000 the FAA
changed the paperwork to allow only pounds and inches despite the
metric conversion act. It surprised me that no one said anything in
all those years and I have to complement the doctor for filling in the
information the way I requested.
I should keep the paperwork, one day it might be of interest to
someone. Just shows the bureaucratic resistance to change even if it's
mandated by law.
Michael Payne
Dear Michael,
It would seem that the FAA is acting contrary to its mission statement
if it is demanding that pilots change to old pre-metric measuring
words as soon as they cross a border into the USA:
The FAA mission is to ensure the safe and efficient use of the
navigable airspace in the United States; to regulate air commerce in
such a manner as to best promote its development and safety; to
promote a common system of air traffic control and navigation for both
military and civil aircraft; and to promote, encourage, and develop
civil aeronautics.
It would also seem that the FAA is acting contrary to the policy of
the Federal Government of the USA:
The Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 requires Federal
agencies to use the metric system in procurement, grants, and other
business-related activities. Proposals for grants and cooperative
agreements submitted to the FAA are required to use the metric system
of weights and measures. Likewise, reports, publications, and
communiques regarding proposals will be required to use metric units.
Cheers,
Pat Naughtin
Author of the ebook, Metrication Leaders Guide, that you can obtain
from http://metricationmatters.com/MetricationLeadersGuideInfo.html
PO Box 305 Belmont 3216,
Geelong, Australia
Phone: 61 3 5241 2008
Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has
helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the
modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they
now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for
their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many
different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial
and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA.
Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST,
and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com
for more metrication information, contact Pat at [email protected]
or to get the free 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter
to subscribe.
