What's Up:
I know I get credit for more than my share of headaches bending your ears over my favorite subject; “No more third class medical.” I’ve shortened the words for space reasons, but I had little or no support from many of you that it might actually happen. Well, if I were a bettingman,who come to think of it I am, I believe it’s going to happen.
If you know me, you’ve probably heard me use the words, “Pilots have no common sense!” Well, in the end, I am going to be right; we just don’t have too much common sense, and I wish we had more, heck, I’d be happy if we just had some.
Keep your logbooks crossed that I’m right on this one … I have to be. It just makes good common sense.
Smoke!
There’s an understatement … I have never seen so much smoke in such quantity and in so many zip codes. I’ve seen it looking up, down, and almost any other options available. Join me in thanking those troops that are putting their sixes on the line day after day and barely getting thanked. So, thank you all for your sacrifices and hard work so that many will have a home to go back to.
So here we are, praying for rain to get rid of the smoke and fire. Ya gotta admit, it’s been pretty impressive, and I hope you are taking it seriously when briefing for your flight. Sitting on an IFR ticket certainly can’t hurt and might actually help.
I don’t want to forget that lives have been lost fighting these fires, and I personally don’t feel those lost are getting the respect and applause they have earned and deserve.
Okay, Okay, to Save You a Call…
Medically, I am improving and faster than I thought I could and would. I’ve been on three flights, and I learned three things; high performance planes are in my past. Way more than my head can handle now. My old standby 172s and 182s still have a fighting chance, but solo flying may be just a memory. The thrill,
love and view didn’t change at all, I just wanted more. I wish you could have seen me getting in and out of these birds with just one leg and foot … at least it wasn’t in my mouth!
No matter what, it beats the heck out of driving, and even the one crowd-killer flight was doable but took a lot more planning and humility. I hate asking for help, but I’m learning how. I lost enough, and I’m not ready to give up my first love.
Questions
Wow, you all have really challenged me with some of your questions. I know you mean well, but I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know all the answers. Heck, I don’t even understand some of the questions.
Here’s what I know; I’m alive, I do have a life, but I have suffered some major losses, some I didn’t think I could survive… and still not sure I will.
My New Leg
Its okay, you can ask, and I’ll show it to you and maybe even let you touch it. One stipulation is that if you invite my leg to come somewhere, I have to stay with it. By the way, this is leg number three. I outgrew the first two, but the one I have now is a real keeper.
More on Third Class Medical Reform
(I borrowed these words from AOPA)
“Momentum for third class medical reform and protections for pilots facing FAA enforcement actions continues to grow, but additional support is urgently needed,” Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and AOPA President Mark Baker told the audience at an AOPA Pilot Town Hall gathering at EAA Air Venture.
Inhofe, who is leading the charge for the Pilot’s Bills of Rights 2 legislation introduced in both the Senate and House earlier this year, strongly urged AOPA members to contact their senators and ask them to support S.571, also known as Pilot’s Bills of Rights 2, during an impromptu appearance with Baker on July 24.
Still More
As some of you know we are an aviation family, which includes a major airline Captain for one airline and one UAL. I mention this because Air Line Pilots Association opposes third class medical reform; No, I don’t know why, but we talk about it a lot.
We, you and I, the GA pilots, need to band together and contact the appropriate people asking for their support.
Some of the political types have some very creative ideas on how this should be done and of course, PC language.
The legislation now has 55 co-sponsors in the Senate and 118 in the House. The number of Senate co-sponsors has more than doubled in recent days since AOPA sent a call to action encouraging members to contact their elected officials and ask themto co-sponsor the legislation.
I keep asking myself if enough of you have taken the time to realize what the benefits there are for us, and … very few negatives. The list keeps growing.
I loved this one; earlier last month Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) filed an amendment that would add third class medical reform language to the highway bill now being debated
in the Senate.WOW, good thinking.
“We’ve got a real fight on our hands to get medical reformlegislation included in the final highway bill,” said Baker.
Of course there is also some surprising opposition, particularly from the Air Line Pilots Association International, which has raised objections to the Manchin-Boozman amendment and the proposed medical
reforms for some GApilots.
“Getting third class medical reform won’t be easy, but we are determined to do everything we can tomake it happen,” Baker said. “We’ve got to keep the momentum going, and your voice can make a real difference. Even if you’ve contacted your elected officials before, get in touch again and let them know that
third class medical reform and the Pilots Bill of Rights 2 are important to you.”
Urge Senators to Co-Sponsor Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2
AOPA has compiled a list of senators who have not yet signed on as cosponsors to the Pilot’s Bill of Rights 2. Pilots should contact their senators and urge them to become a co-sponsor and support third class medical reform.
On Final
September: Wow! There will be more birthdays (three of them), Jewish holy days, the most important one…
Jewish New Year, and other teaching opportunities. Schools are open again, Airshows and airport open houses, including my own…it’s a great month. I will admit that ages 80 and 90 are becoming more common and familiar numbers. The problem is that you’re taking away some of my personal heroes.
On Sunday, Sept. 27, I’m giving away hugs to welcome us all back to Palo Alto Airport Day … I hope you’ll come over and say welcome back, Lar!
That’s Thirty!
“Over”
