Older Pilots at Risk? Plus UAP Reporting News – Episode 302
Breaking news! The FAA has made significant changes to the policy on reporting Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). UAP reports generated by air traffic controllers will use the acronym UAP instead of UFO, and controllers are required to provide specific information about the UAP in their reports.
Also in this episode, Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss two 2025 fatal accidents in which pilot medical conditions may have been an issue. Todd and John discuss how aging brings issues that are a challenge for older pilots.
The NTSB preliminary reports of the accidents under scrutiny do not include information on the age of the pilots. However, news media stories about the two crashes revealed that both pilots were in their 80s. Both pilots had BasicMed certifications.
A BasicMed certificate must be renewed every four years and can be approved by any licensed physician. Class III and other medical certificates must be approved by an FAA-certified Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
While neither of the two NTSB preliminary reports mention a medical condition playing a role in either accident, the BasicMed process may expose older pilots to risks. John suggests that BasicMed should have restrictions, including not allowing older pilots with a BasicMed certificate to carry passengers.
Resources:
FAA Notice on replacing UFO with UAP
FAA Notice on UAP reporting procedure
NTSB Preliminary Report Block Island, RI accident
NTSB Preliminary Report Wallkill, NY accident
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