Keep General Aviation Flying

It was time for my bi-annual flight physical. I made the appointment a few weeks ago with my usual FAA approved doctor. The day before the visit, I received the customary reminder about my appointment. Yep, I'll be there. Then the receptionist asked if I had completed my 8500-8 form online? Huh?

Being a member of AOPA, I entered all of my information into their TurboMedical website. I thought this is what she meant. But then she said to be sure to bring in my confirmation number located on the form. I thanked her and said I would. When I got home, I checked the AOPA printout and could not find a confirmation number on it. After a few tense seconds, it occured to me that perhaps the FAA also had an electronic version of their own form. The IRS has been accepting e-filing for a number of years, why not the FAA, I thought?

The appropriate Google search yielded the website address to complete my flight physical information. I copied everything diligently from the AOPA form and clicked on "Save". A few moments later I received an email with my confirmation number on it. I printed the email and brought it with me the next day to the doctor's office. First question the receptionist asked when I checked in for my appointment was did I bring my confirmation number? I proudly said, "yes". She explained that they would be able to access my information on the FAA's website by using the confirmation number. At the time I just thought it was great to be able to share this information electronically.

After the physical (yes, I passed), I approached the receptionist to pay for the visit. She said that since I had filed electronically, I would receive the discounted rate of $65. I naturally had to ask what the fee would have been if I had not file electronically. She replied $95. Wow! A savings of $30 to spend the same amout of my time to fill out the form except to do it electronically. What a surprise. But an even greater surprise was when she told me that they still get a lot of pilots that won't complete the form online even with the knowledge of the discount. All I can say is I wish I made their money!

Here is the FAA's website in case you weren't aware of this option to complete your form online. https://medxpress.faa.gov/. Simply register your information and complete the form as usual. There is even online help to answer most of the fields. I can't guarantee that your physician will offer a discount, but you never know.

Way back when in flight school we learned what keeps an airplane in the air. We discovered principles of physics that involve lift, gravity, thrust and drag. Strange terms like the Bernoulli principle and angle of attack were introduced. Some how we muddled are way through to pass the written and practical tests.


Through the years, we've discovered another important aspect of keeping a general aviation airplane in the air. It's called community support and it's just as important as the laws of physics.


General aviation airports are the brunt of attack in many communities. Developers see potential in what they deem as "unused" land around or on the airport. Revenues from municipaly owned airports are down in the current economy causing city managers and council to rethink their commitment. Neighbors that once thought it was exciting to see the airplanes come and go now complain about the noise and traffic. So, what can be done?


Get organized to gain support. Start with contacting pilots at your local airport that have a vested interest in general aviation. This may include:

• professionals that use their own or rented airplanes for business
• pilots that are passionate about flying and can transfer this passion to non-pilots
• a local politician or influential figure that supports general aviation

Next, have this group start surveying others in the community regarding their view of general aviation. Don't only ask pilots. You need to hear from non-pilots. Yes, you might not like the answers you receive, but you can't fix a problem unless you know what it is. Our perception of the communities perception may be far off. Contact city officials, the airport director, owners or managers of the local FBOs, the chamber of commerce and economic development director and other civic organizations.


Finally, take their comments seriously. Try to come to some type of consensus if at all possible. It may just be that education is all that is needed. Ignorance breeds fear and fear can shut down an airport. Above all else, be sure to make friends with those you meet. As stated in an earlier blog, pilots need all the friends they can get.