Regulations and Government
FAA Rethinks Sleep Apnea Proposal for Pilots
The FAA announced revised draft guidelines for dealing with pilots at risk of having obstructive sleep apnea.

Responding to concerns raised by NBAA, AOPA and other aviation groups, the FAA announced yesterday that it drafted new guidelines for dealing with pilots at risk of having obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Under the revised draft guidelines, pilots will no longer be disqualified on the basis of body mass index (BMI) alone–a reversal from the FAA’s initial proposal in November–and they will be issued medical certificates even if they are referred for additional evaluation. The draft guidelines have been sent to “key members of the medical community, who will have 14 days to review the proposed changes,” according to AOPA.