The FAA will immediately start reviewing suggestions raised during a stakeholder listening session about improving the airman medical process. Acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau opened the session by saying that safety is a team effort and admitting that “clearly there are things that are not working for everyone”.

Rocheleau confirmed the FAA would not move forward with a plan to issue initial denials to pilots who submitted incomplete paperwork. “There was a lot of feedback, and we took it seriously and we are not going to do that,” he said.

Federal air surgeon Dr Susan Northrup described the challenges the FAA faces, including record-high application volumes reaching 450,000 in 2024, a doubling of Special Issuance certificates since 2019 and incomplete submissions.

Northrup outlined ongoing initiatives like improving the MedXPress portal and continuing the work of FAA-industry groups on modernising the medical process. Stakeholders shared enthusiasm for helping explain improvements to pilots and created a checklist to better prepare applicants for medical exams.

Ideas proposed included a plain-language version of the Aviation Medical Examiners Guide, clarification of application forms, advice on timelines for common conditions, resources identifying frequent diagnoses by age, QR-code links to medical information and pilot video testimonials.

The NBAA welcomed the FAA’s decision, noting that initial denial policies could have caused confusion and harmed careers. NBAA senior vice president Doug Carr said, “We commend the FAA for its decision to withdraw the proposal after considering input from NBAA and others regarding the potential negative impact on pilots.”

Carr added that NBAA looks forward to collaborating with the FAA on more effective solutions. Stakeholders recommended that pilots prepare thoroughly by compiling complete medical records, reviewing the FAA’s medical standards and consulting an Aviation Medical Examiner if questions arise.

Participants in the session included representatives from ALPA, AOPA, APA, CAPA, EAA, IPA, NAFI, NBAA, NFTA, SWAPA and VAI.