Comparing ULM (Microlight) regulation and accidentology in two EU countries

1. Comparing ULM (Microlight)regulation and accidentology in two EU countries P Ortiz MD Spain Delegate FAI-CIMP FAI-CIMP Conference Zagreb 2009

2. ULM Medical Regulations in France Sport license requires an initial medical certificate stating absence of: • Weight – height deficiency • Cardiovascular illnesses causing alteration of left ejection fraction and/or rythm at effort or at recovery • Evolutionary pleuro pulmonary lesions • Severe morphological static and/or dynamic alterations, particularly in dorso-lumbar vertebral column with risk of acute pathology or accelerated wear • Epilepsy, loss of consciousness, vertigo, equilibrium alterations Regulation: - Law 99-223, 23 march 1999, Art. 5 on health of sport and fight against doping - Code de Santé Publique (Art. L.3622-1) > It is not an aviation medical examination: all doctors can perform it. > The Federation Drs will make a decision on the cases were a pathology is present and the candidate asks for revision.

3. ULM Medical Regulations in Spain JAA FCL Class 2 Regulation: • DGAC, Orden ORDEN FOM/1267/2008 de 28 de abril (BOE 110, 6 May 2008) > It is an aviation medical examination: only authrised AMEs can perform it. > The Federation Drs have no official role to play

4. ULM Accidents

5. Causes of ULM accidents Spain 2007 Human > 78 % 1/2 1/2 Adapted from : Min Fomento CIAIAC: Accidentalidad de ULM en España durante el año 2007 CIAIC ULM http://www.fomento.es/NR/rdonlyres/2885E1B3-BCE3-4538-BE33-1F3D736667C6/41384/InformeULM2007.pdf accessed Aug 7,2009

6. Causes of ULM accidents France 2007 Human > 81% Adapted from: FFPULM Mémo Sécurité du pilote ULM Ed. 10/2008 http://www.ffplum.com/Images/Upload/Securite/Annee%202008/MEMO%20SECURITE%202008_.pdf accessed Aug7, 2009

7. ULM Accidents Source: Spain: Min Fomento CIAIAC: Accidentalidad de ULM en España durante el año 2007 CIAIC ULM http://www.fomento.es/NR/rdonlyres/2885E1B3-BCE3-4538-BE33-1F3D736667C6/41384/InformeULM2007.pdf accessed Aug 7,2009 France: Bureau Enquètes et Analyses / http://www.bea.aero/etudes/securite2007/securite2007.html accessed Aug 7, 2009 and Aviation Civile / Aviation légère / Vol moteur ULM (secteur associatif) / http://www.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/html/avia_leg/statistiques/oac_stat2007_ulm.pdf accessed Aug 7, 2009

8. Accident / Aircraft Ratio

9. DISCUSSION • Though the limitations in the methodology and statistical approach, it seems that different regulatory approaches only result in number of participants and not in the safety • Aviation authorities apply different analysis methodologies in EU; Eventually EASA might bring a coordinated approach

10. CONCLUSIONS • As it seems to be the case in Gliding*, the level of medical requirements for the pilots seems not to correlate with the achieved safety in ULM. • The raw data to gain evidence exist and are nowadays easier to obtain, but they are difficult to process statistically due to the differences in accident reporting and analysis. • It is suggested to perform analysis from the descriptions / basic data and not from the interpretations of the different national bodies. *Ortiz P, Panel 19 Air Sports Medicine Médecine des sports aériens ICASM Madrid 2001 http://www.iaasm.org/FullMadridProgramwithAbstracts.pdf accessed Aug 7,2009

11. Thanks !Hvala !