The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a final rule (PDF) that allows general aviation pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements outlined in Congressional legislation. “The United States has the world’s most robust general aviation community, and we’re committed to continuing to make it safer and more efficient to become a private pilot,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to issue new medical guidance March 2 that will help Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) deal with the issue of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) among pilots – a safety concern that’s been keeping the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) up at night.

In response to concerns from the aviation medical community, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sent out draft guidance for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) to key industry medical representatives to review within 14 days. Untreated OSA has always been and will continue to be a disqualifying medical condition.