As previously reported in our publications, the BFA has been told that a “Balloon only” Class II Medical is available, but we are hearing that some of you are being told this is not the case when applying for your medical. Let me try to clarify…
First, there is no “Balloon Only” Class II Medical. When you apply to the FAA for a “medical,” you are applying for either a first, second, or third class medical. The application form, created by MedXpress, allows only for one of these three classifications. However, some in Aeromedical say there is this a “balloon only” option, and others say there is not. So which is it?
Here is where the confusion lies. While there is no “balloon only” medical application, your AME does have the ability to issue a Class II Medical with the restriction or limitation stating “balloon only.” Just like when most of us apply for and receive a LTA pilot certificate, it contains the limitation for a balloon “equipped with airborne heater” – a restriction/limitation that we can, if desired, have removed by further training and testing in a gas balloon. The BFA has been working with Aeromed to make it clear that the physical and mechanical skills required to pilot a balloon are, in some cases, significantly different from those required to pilot rotary or fixed wing aircraft, and therfore some leeway in the Class II requirements should be allowable, in the form of a “balloon only” limitation. The concern might be physiological, like missing a limb or having some movement or joint mobility issues. Similarly there are questions about visual acuity requirements – 20/20 near and far corrected for a first or second class medical, while a third class allows less than 20/20 corrected vision. The BFA is urging Aeromed to consider such allowances, even if it requires a SMFT (Special Medical Flight Test) for issuance.
The fact is, your AME does have this “balloon only” limitation available to them in their database and may opt to use it based on multiple factors. Indeed AMEs have a growing list of items that could previously be evaluated only at the national level in Oklahoma City, but may now be resolved based his/her own assessment of your condition. The BFA is working to expand this list on behalf of balloonists. If the AME is not comfortable with the medical issue, then he/she can and will elevate your application to the medical board level for consideration. One good thing about this, once the board has evaluated your condition and subsequently issue your medical, you may also receive a letter telling you that when applying for future medicals, they may be issued directly by the AME without further evaluation, unless some change in your medical condition occurs.
Is a “balloon only” limitation good or bad? Again, you can’t (at present) apply for a “balloon only” medical, but it is a limitation available to your AME at their discretion. The BFA does not see having this limitation checked by your AME as having a good or bad influence on your application. It simply indicates that you do not meet all current requirements for a Class II Medical. Just remember, the only reason to accept such a limitation would be if your condition would otherwise see your application rejected. If you don’t need this limitation, in other words you pass all the criteria for a Class II Medical, then do not request or accept it just because you only fly balloons. But if a medical issue does arise, ask your AME, if the condition might warrant approving your application, but with the “balloon only” limitation applied.
Sincerely,
Pat Cannon, BFA President