AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2015 - 100

NEWS & NOTES

FAA NEWS

AMES GET
GUIDANCE ON
NEW SLEEP
APNEA POLICY

AOPA ACTION

ACTION IN THE STATES

|

an eight-minute video providing aviation medical examiners
(AME) with guidance on the
agency's new obstructive sleep
apnea policy, which took effect
March 2.
The video stresses that
a pilot's medical certificate
should only be deferred or
denied if there is clear evidence
of an immediate safety hazard, which is rare when dealing
with sleep apnea, and that body
mass index (BMI) alone is not
grounds for deferral.
Under the new policy,
AMEs will be asked to screen
pilots for sleep apnea risk and
record their findings on the
AME portion of the MedXpress
form using new selection boxes,
which are shown in the video.
Risk of obstructive sleep apnea
will be determined through
an integrated assessment of
the pilot's medical history and
symptoms as well as physical and clinical findings. To
assess each pilot's risk, AMEs
will rely on guidance published
by the American Academy of
Sleep Medicine, which has provided charts listing signs and
symptoms that could indicate
potential sleep apnea.
"The effectiveness of the
new policy will depend on how
AMEs implement it," said Rob
Hackman, AOPA vice president
of regulatory affairs. "We invite
AOPA members to let us know
about their experiences under
the new policy."
WEB

For more information
www.aopa.org/sleep_apnea
100 | AOPA PILOT April 2015

access. RHODE ISLAND: The Quonset Air

on legislation aimed at broadening state

Museum is looking for volunteers to help

property tax. NEW JERSEY: The twen-

THE FAA RECENTLY released

State Airport Management Association

man the flight line for the Rhode Island

tieth annual New Jersey State Aviation

National Air Guard Air Show May 30 and

Conference is scheduled for May 1 and 2 at

31. SOUTH CAROLINA: AOPA took part in

Princeton University's First Campus Center

the South Carolina Aviation Conference and

and at Morristown Municipal Airport. NEW

South Carolina Aeronautics Commission

MEXICO: AOPA discussed GA issues with

meeting. SOUTH DAKOTA: AOPA worked

state legislators during Aviation Day at

with the state Department of Transportation

the capitol. NEW YORK: AOPA Regional

to craft a presentation for the South

Manager Sean Collins is working with offi-

Dakota Airport Conference, held March 18

cials updating the State Airport System

and 19 in Sioux Falls. TENNESSEE: AOPA
Regional Manager Bob Minter has been
invited to serve on the Middle Tennessee

PENNSYLVANIA:
AOPA is opposing

State University Aerospace Department's
Aviation Industry Advisory Committee.

TEXAS: AOPA Regional Manager Yasmina
Platt met with lawmakers in support of

House Bill 191, which

House Bill 946 to register and mark mete-

would allow cities to levy

celebrated with the U.S. Flight Club based

orological evaluation towers (MET) and

their own sales-and-use tax

at Houston Executive Airport. With AOPA's

on aircraft-on top of the

over a year. UTAH: AOPA Regional Manager

state sales tax.

Operators Association's annual conference.

help, the club's size more than tripled in just
David Ulane will speak at the Utah Airport

VIRGINIA: Wes Hillman, 92, was honored
with a Congressional Gold Medal for his

Plan. NORTH CAROLINA: AOPA took part

World War II service with the Civil Air Patrol

in the North Carolina Airport Conference,

during a ceremony at the Virginia Museum

March 22 through 24 in Pinehurst. NORTH

of Transportation. VERMONT: It's time to

DAKOTA: AOPA met with legislative leaders

trade skis for soaring at Post Mills Airport,

and North Dakota Aeronautics Commission

where the soaring club opens for the season

staff to discuss pending changes to aircraft

next month. WASHINGTON: AOPA Regional

registration fees and advocated in favor of

Manager David Ulane took part in Airport

increased airport funding through a vari-

Awareness Day at the state capitol, where

ety of legislation. OHIO: AOPA has been

he briefed legislators on the importance

meeting with state legislative leaders to

of aviation and airports. WEST VIRGINIA:

urge their support for House Bill 32, which

AOPA submitted testimony in support of

would eliminate the sales tax on aviation

House Bill 2138, which could reduce liabil-

fuel, impose a lower excise tax, and dedi-

ity for private landowners who allow pilots

cate the revenue to the state airport fund.

to operate on their property. WISCONSIN:

OKLAHOMA: AOPA took part in the Joint

AOPA participated in an industry legislative

Oklahoma Airport Operators Association

planning meeting to address problems with

a n d A A A E S o u t h C e n t ra l C h a p te r

aircraft lien registration and aircraft trans-

Conference in Tulsa, March 8 through 11.

fers. WYOMING: AOPA took part in the

OREGON: AOPA is supporting legislation

Wyoming Airport Operators Association's

to add aviation activities to Oregon's recre-

annual legislative reception in Cheyenne,

ational use statute, which could encourage

briefing legislators on the importance of

private airstrip owners to expand public

aviation and GA in the state.
http://www.aopa.org/sleep_apnea http://www.aopa.org/sleep_apnea
AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2015
