Safety
AOPA to FAA: Withdraw New Sleep Disorder Policy

AOPA sent a letter yesterday to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, insisting that the agency withdraw its new policy on obstructive sleep apnea or, alternatively, go through the formal rulemaking process. The proposed policy would initially affect pilots who have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40, but could later be expanded to include pilots with lower BMIs. Pilots who meet the criteria would have to be evaluated by a board-certified sleep specialist, and those who are diagnosed with sleep apnea would be medically disqualified and have to undergo treatment before regaining their medical certificates.