Recommendation Date
Recipient Name
CAA
Text
Section 27C(1) of the Civil Aviation Act requires medical practitioners to inform the Director if they believe a person is a licence holder and is aware, or has reasonable grounds to suspect, that the licence holder has a medical condition that may interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges to which the licence holder's medical certificate relates.
The Civil Aviation Act defines a medical practitioner as a health practitioner who is registered as a practitioner of the profession of medicine. This does not recognise that other health professionals (as defined in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003) may be providing care to a licence holder. Other health professionals, such as psychologists, could know, or become aware of, a CAA licence holder having a medical condition that may interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges of their licence.
On 28 June 2017 the Commission recommended the Director of Civil Aviation consider measures to ensure that other appropriate health practitioners, not included under the current definition in the Civil Aviation Authority Act, notify the Director when they are aware, or have reasonable grounds to suspect, that the holder of a CAA licence has a medical condition that may interfere with the privileges to which their medical certificate relates.
The Civil Aviation Act defines a medical practitioner as a health practitioner who is registered as a practitioner of the profession of medicine. This does not recognise that other health professionals (as defined in the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003) may be providing care to a licence holder. Other health professionals, such as psychologists, could know, or become aware of, a CAA licence holder having a medical condition that may interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges of their licence.
On 28 June 2017 the Commission recommended the Director of Civil Aviation consider measures to ensure that other appropriate health practitioners, not included under the current definition in the Civil Aviation Authority Act, notify the Director when they are aware, or have reasonable grounds to suspect, that the holder of a CAA licence has a medical condition that may interfere with the privileges to which their medical certificate relates.
Reply Text
We recognise the basis for this recommendation and the outcomes the Commission is seeking to achieve. We are supportive of these. However changes to the Civil Aviation Act 1990 (the Act) would be required to support any effective measures aimed at implementing the recommendation. The Act is administered by the Ministry of Transport. As such, any recommendation for a change to the content of the Act should be made to the Secretary for Transport.
Related Investigation(s)