AOPA Statement on FAA COVID-19 AME Evaluation Policy

FREDERICK, Md., March 26, 2021—Please see the below statement from Jim Coon, AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, on the FAA's March 26 guidance to aviation medical examiners regarding how to handle medical certificate applications from pilots and air traffic control specialists who have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

"We appreciate the FAA's scaled approach to granting medical certificates for pilots and air traffic control specialists who have had COVID-19. This guidance allows AMEs to issue medical certificates for the vast majority of pilots and controllers who have had COVID-19, requiring deferral in only the most severe cases."