Leisure pilot license proposed for Europe: do you want such pilots crossing your flight path?
In a Notice of Proposed Amendment, the European Aviation Safety Agency proposes to introduce a Leisure Pilot License (LPL). Holders of a LPL for airplanes will be allowed to fly single-engine piston airplanes with a maximum takeoff mass of 2000 kg or less, carrying a maximum of three passengers. In this commentary paper, we express significant concern about the flight safety consequences of the proposed aeromedical requirements of the LPL. We argue that the proposed minimum age, validity period of the medical certificate, and issuance of certificates by general practitioners may increase the flight safety risk. Major revision of the proposed LPL regulation is recommended.
Simons
Ries
R
Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Soesterberg, The Netherlands. ries.simons@tno.nl
Maher
Declan
D
Stüben
Uwe
U
Herbert
Kevin C
KC
D000401:Aircraft / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D001359:Aviation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D002568:Certification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe; D033161:Government Regulation; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards