Older Pilots at Risk? Plus UAP Reporting News - Episode 302

Breaking news! The FAA has made significant changes to the policy on reporting Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). UAP reports generated by air traffic controllers will use the acronym UAP instead of UFO, and controllers are required to provide specific information about the UAP in their reports. Also in this episode, Todd Curtis and John Goglia discuss two 2025 fatal accidents in which pilot medical conditions may have been an issue. Todd and John discuss how aging brings issues that are a challenge for older pilots. The NTSB preliminary reports of the accidents under scrutiny do not include information on the age of the pilots. However, news media stories about the two crashes revealed that both pilots were in their 80s. Both pilots had BasicMed certifications. A BasicMed certificate must be renewed every four years and can be approved by any licensed physician. Class III and other medical certificates must be approved by an FAA-certified Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). While neither of the two NTSB preliminary reports mention a medical condition playing a role in either accident, the BasicMed process may expose older pilots to risks. John suggests that BasicMed should have restrictions, including not allowing older pilots with a BasicMed certificate to carry passengers. Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel , listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website . Want to go deeper with the Flight Safety Detectives? Join our YouTube Membership program for exclusive perks like members-only live streams and Q&As and early access to episodes. Your membership support directly helps John, Greg and Todd to deliver expert insights into aviation safety. Interested in partnering with us? Sponsorship opportunities are available—brand mentions, episode integrations, and dedicated segments are just a few of the options. Flight Safety Detectives offers a direct connection with an engaged audience passionate about aviation and safety. Reach out to fsdsponsors@gmail.com . Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.