The revised FAR Part 67:

• Deletes the uncorrected visual acuity standards for first- and second-class medical certification. However, each eye must be corrected to 20/20 or better as in the current standard.

   

• Changes the current 20/50 uncorrected, or 20/30 corrected. distant vision visual acuity standard for third-class certification to 20/40 or better, in each eye with or without correction.

   

• Specifies, for first- and second-class certification, near vision requirements of 20/40 or better. Snellen equivalent, at 16 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses. For age 50 or older, near vision of 20/40 or better, Snellen equivalent, at both 16 and 32 inches in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses is required. For third-class medical certification, a visual acuity standard of 20/40 or better. Snellen equivalent, corrected or uncorrected, each eye, is required.

   

• Changes color vision requirements for all classes to read: "ability to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of airman duties." Current standards require "normal color vision" for first-class and the ability to distinguish aviation signal colors for second- and third-class applicants.

   

• Replaces the "whispered voice test. for hearing with a conversational voice test using both ears at six feet: an audiometric word (speech) discrimination test to a score of at least 70 percent obtained in one ear or in a sound field environment: or pure tone audiometry according to a table of acceptable thresholds.

   

• Defines substance dependence and substance abuse and specifies these as disqualifying medical conditions. Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse are included in the terms "substance dependence" and "substance abuse.- respectively. As before. a verified positive drug test result conducted under an anti-drug rule or internal program of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will result in disqualification.

   

• Adds "cardiac valve replacement," "permanent cardiac pacemaker implementation," and "heart replacement" as specifically disqualifying cardiovascular conditions for all classes.

   

• Includes "bipolar disorder" as a specifically disqualifying condition; "transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory medical explanation of the cause" is also disqualifying.

   

• Reduces the time period for which an electrocardiogram may be used to satisfy the requirements of the first-class medical certificate from the current 90 days to 60 days.

   

• Deletes the current table of age-related maximum blood pressure readings for applicants for first-class medical certificates and the reference to "circulatory efficiency.- Blood pressure will continue to be assessed for all three classes but will be evaluated under the appropriate general medical guidelines.

   

• Provides for special issuance of medical certificates at the discretion of the Federal Air surgeon; i.e:.. "Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate. (Authorization) or a "Statement of Demonstrated of Ability. (SODA). Authorizations differ from SODAs in that Authorizations are time limited while SODAs may remain valid indefinitely.