Kathy Yodice
- Attorney, Counsel to AOPA
- Former FAA attorney
- Has assisted AOPA members for more than 16 years
- Pilot since 1994, owns a Cherokee 180
One new program that created a lot of buzz in the tent is the new Pilot Protection Services (PPS), which AOPA officially launched on May 1. By enrolling in PPS, you not only benefit from the advice and assistance available through AOPA’s Legal Services Plan, you also get access to a variety of other services that can help you protect both your pilot and medical certificates. So AOPA is providing more information to you under one umbrella. If you are currently enrolled in the Legal Services Plan, you’ll automatically gain the extra benefits available through PPS. Most of the pilots I spoke with during Sun ‘n Fun thought the change was a very good idea.
To learn more about the new PPS program, you can visit this online portal.
So what was the other hot topic discussed while I talked with members in the tent? Well, with AOPA’s recent submission of a petition for exemption to allow pilots to exercise certain privileges without a medical certificate, there were a lot of questions about how pilots can comply with the FARs as they find there are more doctor visits they may need to report to the FAA on the medical application form.
I remember speaking to one pilot about how to answer the questions on his upcoming medical application form so as not to make a mistake and risk the FAA accusing him of falsifying an answer. If the FAA determines that you’ve falsified your answer (wrote an answer you knew to be wrong), no matter how minor you may think it is, they will take immediate action to revoke all of the certificates you hold. So, just like the time you invest to prepare for each flight, you should take the time to prepare for your medical examinations—including getting appropriate legal counsel prior to visiting your AME.
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If the crowds and the enthusiasm at Sun ’n Fun a few weeks ago were any indication, Spring is definitely in the air. There were many eager pilots wandering in the Florida sun and through AOPA’s tent, asking questions, gathering information, and learning about AOPA’s new products to help them with their flying.
