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http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=10417
Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 24, 2009
Contact: Les Dorr or Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883
FAA Medical Certification Regarding Physical Height
WASHINGTON, DC — Pilots may soon be required to be within a more stringent physical height range according to a proposed regulation soon to be published by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The height requirements will drastically affect future medical certification of pilots in the United States, and abroad. The change comes about due to a study underway in a joint research program shared by ICAO, JAA, and IATA. The study has revealed shocking data correlating the average height of pilots involved in fatal aircraft accidents, and the mortality rate of each accident. Critics say there is no scientific medical data backing this new information, but ICAO believes otherwise. Now the Federal Aviation Administration is joining the study at the request of ICAO, and IATA.
"This data has shown us how shorter, or vertically challenged pilots have been involved in more fatal accidents, whereas taller pilots have had far less incidents.” said FAA Acting Administrator Lynne A. Osmus. “If the correlation is found in data between the lack of physical height, and fatal accidents this agency will be forced to take swift action."
The new study states that pilots with a stature of less than 5'10” have been involved in far more fatal accidents, and nearly fatal incidents than those taller. An unnamed medical doctor on the research staff believes pilots of a shorter stature are more prone to making rash decisions, and not thinking clearly under stress. He believes many times these pilots will mask their supposed “short comings” by displaying overly macho persona's, wearing power mustaches, and dressing in shoes with thick soles to increase their height. Due to all of this they are much more accident prone, and have poor decision making skills that cause havoc in the cockpit especially during high stress situations. Hundreds of individuals have been used in test groups across Europe, and Asia in simulator studies.
The proposal for new medical certification regarding physical height may require individuals already holding medical certificates of a shorter stature to obtain special mental health waiver to continue exercising their privileges. How often the psychiatric tests would be administered to maintain certificate privileges will depend on the final rule making process by The Department. However, due to the startling data being assembled by the now international research group it may preclude any future initial issuances of medical certificates by The Department to individuals not within the medical height standards of possible future regulation.
Washington Headquarters Press Release
For Immediate Release
March 24, 2009
Contact: Les Dorr or Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883
FAA Medical Certification Regarding Physical Height
WASHINGTON, DC — Pilots may soon be required to be within a more stringent physical height range according to a proposed regulation soon to be published by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The height requirements will drastically affect future medical certification of pilots in the United States, and abroad. The change comes about due to a study underway in a joint research program shared by ICAO, JAA, and IATA. The study has revealed shocking data correlating the average height of pilots involved in fatal aircraft accidents, and the mortality rate of each accident. Critics say there is no scientific medical data backing this new information, but ICAO believes otherwise. Now the Federal Aviation Administration is joining the study at the request of ICAO, and IATA.
"This data has shown us how shorter, or vertically challenged pilots have been involved in more fatal accidents, whereas taller pilots have had far less incidents.” said FAA Acting Administrator Lynne A. Osmus. “If the correlation is found in data between the lack of physical height, and fatal accidents this agency will be forced to take swift action."
The new study states that pilots with a stature of less than 5'10” have been involved in far more fatal accidents, and nearly fatal incidents than those taller. An unnamed medical doctor on the research staff believes pilots of a shorter stature are more prone to making rash decisions, and not thinking clearly under stress. He believes many times these pilots will mask their supposed “short comings” by displaying overly macho persona's, wearing power mustaches, and dressing in shoes with thick soles to increase their height. Due to all of this they are much more accident prone, and have poor decision making skills that cause havoc in the cockpit especially during high stress situations. Hundreds of individuals have been used in test groups across Europe, and Asia in simulator studies.
The proposal for new medical certification regarding physical height may require individuals already holding medical certificates of a shorter stature to obtain special mental health waiver to continue exercising their privileges. How often the psychiatric tests would be administered to maintain certificate privileges will depend on the final rule making process by The Department. However, due to the startling data being assembled by the now international research group it may preclude any future initial issuances of medical certificates by The Department to individuals not within the medical height standards of possible future regulation.
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