House and Senate negotiators have agreed on an FAA extension deal that includes third class medical reforms and will keep the agency operating through September 2017.

Legislation to keep the FAA operating past July 15 was formally announced July 6. The legislation includes third class medical reform language that the Senate has already passed three times.

“Including third class medical reform in this package is great news for general aviation and we’re very pleased that the House has included it as part of the FAA extension,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “We appreciate the efforts of general aviation advocates in both the House and Senate. This is a vital issue for the general aviation community, and it’s long past time to get it done.”

The provisions of the FAA extension package have been negotiated over the past several weeks, and it is expected that the House and Senate will pass the legislation and send it to the president to be signed into law before Congress adjourns next week.

After the president signs the bill into law, the FAA will have up to one year to develop and issue regulations before the third class medical provisions become effective.

“The battle for medical reform has been long and hard-fought, and these changes are critical to the future of general aviation,” said Baker.

For answers to the most commonly asked questions about medical reform, visit AOPA’s FAQ page.