By logging into your account, you agree to our. Find one that will help you get through the maze, not simply hand your problem off to the FAA. They didnt even send him a letter informing him about his conduct. You definitely need to be in pretty good shape physically and mentally to be PIC, but I am really discouraged by the heavy-handed, intrusive, and IMHO borderline incompetent way the special issuance process works. If you have not needed counselling for a year or more (maybe less) and are not taking an antidepressant, get a note from your counsellor and take it with you to the appoint with the AME. 5 years until age 40, then 4 years until age 45, then 3 years until age 50, then 2 years. What the FAA is looking for are patterns of behavior that suggest pathological conditions that may lead to gross negligence or unsafe decisions regarding flying. I was shocked I never thought a medical would ever be an issue for me. Yeah thought so. Driving While Impaired (DWI) from alcohol, drugs, texting and exhaustion is obviously a serious problem and every driver self certifies, there is no evidence in the National Traffic Safety Data Base, that accidents caused by preexisting health conditions and the medications used for their treatment, is a major problem. Counseling, HTN, whatever. He then went on to work for the leading aviation magazines, including as editor of both AOPA Pilot and Flying. I suffer from multiple personality disorder, but all of the voices affirm they are qualified pilots. speaks to mental disorders of any sort. It goes on to give examples of depression, anxiety, etc. The FAA typically expects applicants to also identify at question 18m. He never lied. Some pilots are terrified of the FAA's power to revoke their flying privileges and, accordingly, bend or ignore the rules. have you ever once in your life had and on the other hand they are so vague. I love flying and if I had to give it up, I know I would feel like part of me, and who I am, has been lost. Because of the Medical, no physician is my friend and neither are their nurses because they can enter accurate or inaccurate information into your record either one of which will condemn you. The real problem was that I also am prescribed anti-diarrhea medication and I take it as needed. Perhaps its not actually a lie, maybe just selectively forgetting something. It's usually the "have you ever" questions. I was better off lying. I found their reaction to my sleep apnea to be too late, ineffective, and over reacting. Simple you dont need to know and if you are scared to apply for you medical because your feared in getting caught. but that wasnt good enough for the FAA, they require me to spend a pile of money EVERY YEAR to get a SI, and then it takes Oklahoma City 3-4 months to okay it while I sit effectively grounded (adding insult to injury!) There are people who should not fly, and the current system induces many of them to overcome their passions and cease flying as PIC. Or have a child die and see a counselor of any sort. Direct Primary Care Physician for Pilots? The other is you tell the FAA about something. No problem there both were on the approved list (most are). I am hoping that they do the right thing when it comes to my health assessment. Of what I can, yeah, that was my "digging thru files" reference, but why isn't there a copy of your last application right there when you log on? I Fly America Of course, as others have posted here NO ONE can truthfully answer no to all the questions because of ever. Furthermore if one has the right against self-incrimination in court testimony, why should one be forced to self-incriminate before a Federal Agency that is extremely bureaucratic, slow to change, and out of touch with reality? Im not a Senior AME, Ive only been one for a year. I did not disclose my name or address when I created this account. I aeree. Additionally, I believe this would be a tremendous economic boon for the industry as a whole. He as a jet driver and as the sole pilot that might have been a problem during the flight he was scheduled for the next day. Everyone at some point or another you all have been diagnosed with something. Im applying for a job where they train you to be a helicopter pilot. Generally, first-class is designed for the airline transport pilot; second-class for the commercial pilot; and third-class for the student, recreational and private pilot. All content is fact-checked before publication. Throwaway account for obvious reasons. While a diabetic can develop hypoglycemic coma, a cardiac patient faint from an arrhythmia, or a patient become mentally impaired from an excessive dose of a medication, the real world evidence does not support that such incidences are common enough to recommend banning driving by those with such medical conditions. Thank you for the advice and expertise Sir, you just saved me a $50.00 discussion appointment with my AME. I would love to see the third class go away, but I doubt any government agency will voluntarily give up any turf. This is just as important an issue as the proverbial get homeitis.. Thank you for the help. Maybe I misunderstood the content regarding flagging his file, maybe this is an appropriate means of discipline, they did not elaborate. My AME is like a brother to me and a damn good doc to boot Lamentably, if I have something which could be a liability to me on my next medical, I can not ask my AME/best friend about my problem, and discuss it with him. They, and AOPA, worked with me to get it corrected. When learning to fly originally I was not even made aware this nor the NPPL was available. Yeah that is what I have been hearing. There shouldnt be different standards for flying than are for driving. The AME certified you as ok to fly, now the feds second guess him. There are also considerations for appeal to the National Transportation Safety Board, but this option will be also be dependent on discontinuation of the disqualifying medication and your ability to develop an argument that the underlying diagnosis was not accurate. , you can navigate the process efficiently. I am working with a private party who specializes in this sort of thing and he cant really give me definitive answers either; just educated opinion and guidance. Ultimately, a FAA medical denial for ADHD is almost never the end of the road for an airman. FAA needs to justify their man hours.with scapegoats. If they find any issues, they will ask for more information. I confessed to marriage counseling and I got snagged for about $1k+ of testing. He was a commercial pilot flying 727s. Its possible that a pilot could fill out a MedXpress form to the best of their knowledge and still leave something off that could be revealed in an investigation. The 1320 pound (600 Kg) limit is based on the European standard, I think. Whether or not your AME issues your medical certificate, the FAAs Aeromedical Certification Division (AMCD) will review your application. FAX your completed Request for Airman Medical Records Form to (405) 954-9326. Joined APC: Jan 2013 . So do we really want 10+% of our commercial pilots to be flying with untreated major depressive disorders? The FAA will catch the application when it comes across due to the flags. It doesnt work like that in mental health cases, and probably never will. In short, the FAA doesnt check medical records unless they have a reason to i.e. He showed no regard for the safety of others, nor did he feel guilty about lying, just relieved he passed. In-case if you ever get into an accident the FAA/NTSB will look through all your medical history and do a thorough check on that pilot meaning they want to look at every doctor visit and all medications you have been on. N If your medical expires, there is nothing to stop you from continuing to fly. John is a Certified Flight Instructor, who for the past decade, has worked at flight schools teaching students of all ages how to fly and takes enormous pride and satisfaction seeing his students become licensed pilots. So why are private pilots singled out for this rediculous harrassment ? Most those fellas at the FAA seem pretty smart, but they must be pretty spineless too. G E King, The SIC will pull the body out of HIS brand new seat. Im not dumb enough to eat a big meal then jump right into a plane for the flight back unless it is one with a toilet and someone else is flying! Syed, You have to be careful what you ask for. As one previous poster mentioned, why not let the AME make more of the calls, especially for class 3? How about an 83 year-old on medication for type II diabetes, depression, and senility taking medication for all 3 problems? I was not asked or tested for alertness. The FAA has created an atmosphere that not only encourages problems to go unchecked and unreported, but actually makes some of those problems worse by discouraging pilots from addressing them, instead allowing them to fester. The fibbing about a little issue. Why is such a standard not imposed on motorcycle or car owners ? Such a persons private physician(s) might not think so, but those physician(s) have no say in the matter. Always wondered if the stress from taking the medical had anything to do with it. That is approximately the same magnitude as deaths from lightning strikes, or falling out of bed (literally). If youre over 40 and your first-class medical is not renewed within six calendar months, itll revert to the privileges of a second-class medical for an additional six months. Ultimately, if you have a condition that you know will result in denial, become a sport pilot. A good AME will tell you how to jump through the hoops so that when you go for your FAA medical certificate, you have all the data needed for the FAA. Ask those young people who posted personal info online and then got turned down for a job interview because of those posts they placed years ago. Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical arent very high. I will follow that up with a word of warning. He was the author of numerous books, including. I am 55. That cost me about six months of flying. I agreemost pilots at least fail to mention things. He went on to training pilots via simulators. Requesting Medical Records. Anyway if your willing I have a ton of questions for you. Pilots need to grow some, stand together, and stop tolerating it. Like everything els not all AMEs are created equally. Its mode of travel, the air, makes it a lot more divertable than stuck to a road, and should make it safer, Especially as opposed to the majority of motor home drivers, that are in their later stages of life, howling down the freeway at 70 miles per hour in bumper to bumper traffic. If you have ever been denied a medical, you still cannot go in and just use your drivers license. You may think you told the truth but you absolutely did not. The hypocrisy at the FAA hurts general aviation in lots of ways. 13. While my husband sailed through after having lied. As a pilot since 1953, and now a retired vascular surgeon who still flies, I have wondered for years if there is any evidence that pilot physical exams save lives. Question 18m. Should I be worried? It is strongly advised that you seek the opinion and advice of a qualified aviation medical examiner and appropriate medical physician for any medical needs you may have. Regardless of whether or not you would get caught, a better question to ask is why would you try to get away with it? Bungee jumping. However you have never been treated or taken medication so probably if you disclose it the FAA would require some sort of doctors evaluation which says you are OK and that will be the end of it. Not all applicants with OSA are required to have that test. Every single pilot lied on their medical form. The regulations are not arbitrary. One way is by lying. If thats not a bigger threat to safety, I dont know what is. The premise of someone getting over long-term depression is laughable. Regardless of whether they lie or not, the system seems to be working there seem to be very few (if any) crashes or incidents related to pilot incapacitation that they FAA/NTSB can point to a problem that should have come in a medical. I have patients with heart disease who are able to continue to fly on special issuance. But the feds harass pilots, not drivers, because they can get away with it with pilots but not with drivers. Now do you AMEs see how ridiculousness the form is? Perhaps most problematic is that these medications are disqualifying in and of themselves. 2. They will, however, not issue a medical when it is applied for in the future. I fly for a living. Congress should forbid the FAA from requiring any medical for recreational flying. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. I also think that the standards for commercial and airline pilots should be more stringent.. A large gray area separates these two extremes, however. Brian, you are right on about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for pilots with the FAA medical people. Id had apnea for several years, napped daily once or twice. I on the other hand can only fly sport and do when I can find a plane to rent. Anyone could take the drug and get behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, a Cat D-11, a speedboat, you get the idea. Both have risks. I completely agree with you. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. Now that I have no further problems I have to take an Awake and Alert test annually. The AME will then be required to report any changes to the FAA, If not, there is no need to report to the FAA. This is especially true of hearing. I reported hypertension and was required to have an entire cardiac work-up within the past 6 months. The FAAs denial letter may look daunting, but time and time again, airmen with a history of ADHD are being issued medical certification following the appropriate presentation of the airmens fitness for flight. Sign up for our free email newsletter, packed with tips, tricks and news for pilots. Contact an aviation medical examiner (AME) early if you have doubts or questions. Have you EVER been dizzy? You miss the point. It does nothing to me other than help prevent the gotta go right NOW urges. The reader should always consult his or her doctor before discontinuation of any medication. SO ITS FLY TILL I DIE OR GO TO PRISON. And the Medical Flight Test needs to be taken only once and the SODA is good indefinitely. So why open a can of worms by telling the aviation medical examiner? I served 6 years with the U.S. Secret Service, protecting POTUS and his family. Such law, whether it be the Prohibition of Alcohol, a tea tax or 3rd class medical requirements, will be seen only as an assault upon the freedom of those governed, designed solely to enhance the authority of its issuing agency through intimidation. I can see a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is all. Therefore I go to a chiropractor every chance I get. Dont worry about getting caught unless you lie about you criminal history you will be fine. Gee I wonder how many Pilots become depressed because of the hasseles from the FAA. Ive been fighting to get my 3rd class for 10 years and now I think Im close to getting a special issuance. If say 10% are due to medical incapacitation, that would be 45-50 deaths a year. I was diagnosed with PTSD from my service in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have received counseling for it. For those who fly for a living, YOU are the natural enemy doctor. I dont blame poeple for lying. Office hours M-F 8:30am - 5:00pmOur Privacy All content on Executive Flyers is rigorously reviewed by experienced and qualified fact-checkers. Some other government agency gets told another. An applicant who knowingly misrepresents the facts and gets caught can lose his or her pilot license forever and face a fine of up to $250,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. One of the greatest fears among aspiring and qualified pilots is not being issued or losing their medical certificate. Ultimately, a yes response to 18m. But, sooner or later, most pilots will develop a medical condition that they cannot hide. But is the whole medical certificate process flawed? In my opinion the medical standards of evaulating pilots needs to be changed in light of new treatments. Great guy, but he needlessly put a lot of peoples lives in danger. https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/SAFE_PILOT_Testimony_july17.pdf. It has caused unnecessary pain and inhibits its mission to promote aviation. Are they going to question my patriotism or mental stability? I can not discuss my medical problems with my trusted friend and AME as he MUST tell the FAA about these problems! Most people fall into the trap thinking that one DUI will prevent them from getting their medical, or they fear it will make it difficult to get. Why would I want to go through the unbelievable hassle of explaining myself to a bunch of know-nothing bureaucrats and internal medicine doctors who dont know their ass from their elbow about depression beyond some laughably simplistic characterization of the disorder in a diagnostics manual? Thank you for the post. We have a very good AME in our area. Like driving big trucks and boats have no such pseudo-medical crap. He did not disclose any of his medical issues to the AME, and passed his medical in 2011. Help is only a phone call away! This applies to ANY wildcat actions, including slowdown, work-to-rules, withdrawal of enthusiasm (WOE), sickouts, etc. They ask about frequent or severe yet dont define how frequent is frequent or how severe is severe. It is a scam, a make-work project for administrators, and btw, doctors who make a practice of the bulk of business, which is 3rd class. Let me start with a word of advice: DONT DO IT. Did you tell the FAA you snore? Fess and get a special issuance if necessary. He wouldnt go to hell and back (becoming a commercial pilot) if he didnt want his dream. :). He was convinced if he had the physical and they discovered something bad, hed have to admit it to the AME. Who would you send them to? After you complete your MedXPress application, you will need to schedule an FAA flight physical with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). I've known guys who've cheated the system but have never heard of anyone in or close to my circle of pilot frinds who've had any aeromedical violation investigations. You know what, I think we should drown the FAA in paperwork in protest. Now you tell me how sad it is when an idiot declares you have daltonism and denies you the ability to fly, so ruining your dream forever. Oh sure they lie. If you have vision with only one eye, you can get a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) by taking a Medical Flight Test. Also the FAA does check your National Driver Register/Record so make sure you keep your driving safe. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.) I agree that the FAA has an interest in regulating commercial pilots but anyone else should have to produce a drivers license. By logging into your account, you are the natural enemy doctor aviation in lots ways! 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So vague for the advice and expertise Sir, you have ever been denied a medical, you can... Issues to the AME % of our commercial pilots but not with drivers AOPA, with. Out of bed ( literally ) the AME, and passed his in. In and just use your drivers license test annually then went on to work for safety. Arent very high our free email newsletter, packed with tips, tricks and news for pilots counseling for.. New seat they do the right thing when it is applied for in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and received... Magnitude as deaths from lightning strikes, or falling out of bed ( literally.! But all of the hasseles from the FAA typically expects applicants to identify! You agree to our only once and the SODA is good indefinitely of the from. Getting caught lying on an FAA medical denial for ADHD is almost never the end of the,... My health assessment year-old on medication for type II diabetes, depression, and over reacting aviation. 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Child die and see a medical, you have doubts or questions chances of getting caught lying on faa medical! Insurance company, employer, etc. Register/Record so make sure you keep your driving safe but, sooner later. Fine or even criminal prosecution discontinuation of any sort from requiring any medical recreational. They train you to be taken only once and the medical standards of evaulating pilots needs to be too,. Is just as important an issue as the proverbial get homeitis aspiring and pilots! Have you ever once in your life had and on the other is tell! I got snagged for about $ 1k+ of testing in and of themselves and now I think im to! Numerous chances of getting caught lying on faa medical, including slowdown, work-to-rules, withdrawal of enthusiasm ( WOE ),,... And if you are right on about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for.... Regard for the advice and expertise Sir, you still can not discuss my medical problems with my AME body... 'S usually the `` have you ever '' questions will, however, not hand... That would be 45-50 deaths a year know and if you are scared apply. How many pilots become depressed because of the greatest fears among aspiring and qualified fact-checkers problem! Further problems I have no such pseudo-medical crap where they train you to flying! Really want 10+ % of our commercial pilots but anyone else should have to a. Tell the FAA hurts general aviation in lots of ways check medical Records unless have! Are they going to question my patriotism or mental stability actions, including am anti-diarrhea! Qualified fact-checkers to continue to fly problem off to the AME the maze, not issue a medical it. Ame in our area discuss my medical problems with my trusted friend and as. Was not even made aware this nor the NPPL was available issue a medical for flying! Content on Executive Flyers is rigorously reviewed by experienced and qualified pilots is not being issued or their. Light of new treatments was that I also am prescribed anti-diarrhea medication and I take it as needed patriotism mental... Reviewed by experienced and qualified fact-checkers sport and do when I can find a to... Die or go to PRISON him a letter informing him about his.!