AOPA CEO Ben Morgan has praised the Civil Aviation Safety Authority over the new medical standard to be introduced next year.In a statement released today, Morgan thanked CASA for the new Basic Class 2 standard, which enables some pilots to be examined by a general practitioner rather than a DAME.
"The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr Shane Carmody, Director of Aviation Safety, CASA regarding the Basic Class 2 reform announcement today," Morgan said.
"The new Basic Class 2 reform is a major win for Australia’s general aviation community ...
"The new Basic Class 2 medical will enable thousands to return to flying and will bring an end to decades of contention between CASA AVMED and the pilot community. This reform will serve to help enable general aviation revitalisation and signals that our national aviation safety regulator is listening and responding.
"The AOPA Australia views CASA’s decision to base the Basic Class 2 medical on the Austroads commercial vehicle driver standards to be fair and balanced and commend CASA on enabling the use of general practitioners, which will enable pilots to access medical assessments at thousands of locations across Australia."
Morgan also said that AOPA would work with CASA in the future with a view to having IFR and NVFR operations included in the new standard.