On March 20, the Michigan Aeronautics Commission passed a resolution for a letter of support to be delivered to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and key members of Congress supporting H.R. 3708, General Aviation Pilot Protection Act of 2013. On April 2nd, those letters were mailed to FAA’s Administrator Michael Huerta and the Michigan Congressional Delegation. As a result of that effort the State Aviation Journal has learned that U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg, representing Michigan’s 7th District has decided to lend his support to the Act.
The body of the letter reads as follows:
The Michigan Aeronautics Commission would like to join with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association
and other industry partners in voicing its support for H.R. 3708, the General Aviation Pilot
Protection Act of 2013.
Currently, general aviation is the only mode of transportation that requires medical certification
to operate a vehicle for private or recreational use. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
currently requires such medical certification of pilots of even small private aircraft. This medical
certification process can be costly and time consuming.
H.R. 3708 was written to resemble the current exemption for an FAA third class medical
certificate for sport pilots. H.R. 3708 would expand that exemption to pilots of aircraft (1) Not
operating for hire; (2) Operating under visual flight rules; (3) Below 14,000 feet mean sea level;
and (4) Not flying at a speed in excess of 250 knots.
The Michigan Aeronautics Commission urges your continued support of initiatives that will
benefit Michigan pilots currently required to hold this certificate and remove an unnecessary
regulatory burden from small general aviation pilots in an effort to help invigorate that portion of
the aviation industry.
Thank you for your consideration in support of this bill. If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact either of us at 517-335-9568.
Sincerely,
Pete Kamarainen, Chairman
Michael G. Trout, Director
Michigan Aeronautics Commission
