So at least the medical makes we go for a check up. Ones health does not distinguish between ones ability to pilot a 2 seater weighing 1320 lbs and a 4 seat airplane weighing 3500 lbs. Are they going to question my patriotism or mental stability? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); All information found on medmg.org is intended for informational and educational purposes only. After you complete your MedXPress application, you will need to schedule an FAA flight physical with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). FAA Current Detailed Clinical Progress Notes. Fortunately with the airlines, there is always a second pilot capable of flying the plane. 2. My problem is with it taking MONTHS of run around after the issue is handled to the FAAs satisfaction per the conditions they themselves tell us we need to meet. I know of several pilots who have useful vision in only one eye or have amblyopia that makes it impossible for them to pass the eye exam. They ask about frequent or severe yet dont define how frequent is frequent or how severe is severe. Also my flight instructor was telling me that he knew an applicant who lied about his criminal history for shoplifting and two to three months later the FAA found out and pulled his medical currently and he did not hear back for any clearance to fly again so these are great examples why not lie. They will also review how your current application compares to the ones you have submitted in the past and your driving record. The only variable is about what. Dr. House. The AOPA and the EAA are going to propose an exemption to the third class physical exam that would allow us to use our drivers license as our medical to fly recreational. How is that fair? Im OK now, sleep with a CPAP machine. Such a persons private physician(s) might not think so, but those physician(s) have no say in the matter. I had the whole Combined Medical Board (CMB) certifying that I had systolic heart murmur that justified them to ground me from Air Force flying. We should not be subjected to this inquisitional questionnaire in the first place. Theyll wait until a couple of major airline pilots go postal or have a seizure over the threshold and get the front page bold type, then overreact totally inappropriately, and far too late. Obviously, the Veterans Administration and the military are still struggling to understand PTSD and have been dropping the ball for 50 years. An attorney that focuses on FAA medical denials may be able to guide you through the process and work with the FAA to achieve certification. Im not a Senior AME, Ive only been one for a year. This is nothing but government bureaucracy. Of course they do. The hypocrisy at the FAA hurts general aviation in lots of ways. I have informed my regular doctor to please clear with me anything they might write in my record, as it could affect my FAA medical. The med examination wasnt any different from the third class but the vision requirements are different. I am in full support of the exemption and hope you will support it too; after all, it has worked for the Sport program and it seems it will work for you! Yet, until recently, the FAA wouldnt allow any pilot to be treated with an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) a medication with an excellent safety record concerning accidents. He exists to remove one of the joys of my life. Re test. If you have a disqualifying medical condition, say unexplained loss of consciousness, you cant fly. And, actually, the FAA is making Special Issuance less of a problem for certain diseases. But is the whole medical certificate process flawed? Insurance companies now have a way out of paying the claim and if there were passengers or other property damage involved now lawyers get involvedsomething to think about! Society cares little about helping people with mood disorders beyond marginalizing them and throwing them into a risk factor category and dismissing their issues. I on the other hand can only fly sport and do when I can find a plane to rent. We display medical information based on FAAs Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) medical records. There are hardly any crashes or incidents related to pilot incapacitation and if there were the FAA or NTSB would have expressed grave concerns. They have little to do but think up new restrictions, all under the banner of safety. The medical only looks at your health at the point in time. Im applying for a job where they train you to be a helicopter pilot. '[T]here is probably some justification for that,' he acknowledged in a 1998 interview, noting that the FAA is 'extremely conservative' when it comes to medical matters. Get thorough guidance on how to proceed. This is one of those typical government deny-theres-a-problem attitudes that eventually comes to a head when something major and catastrophic happens. One change I would like in the current procedure for the special issuance is to have my AME rather than those in Oklohoma City decide if I am healthy enough to fly. Are you serious? Once everything is done and documented properly,they should issue the medical quickly. Dental visits and visits to your AME need not be listed. So, I can only assume that the FAA will see it so there is no question about having to report it myself. I truly believe that if we allowed a 3rd class medical on only a drivers license we would be just as safe as we are today; and pilots would be in even better health because they would feel free to see their doctor again. Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren't very high. To check the validity of the certificate, email a request to Aviation Data Systems Branch, [emailprotected]. - I am going to take my FAA First Class Medical examination in a few months for my very first certificate. 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! And yet still I do not feel I can speak freely to them. Cancer is ranked highest for men, With an 11.6 percent chances of getting caught lying on faa medical up to $ 200 self-reporting nature, chance. Because you were probably the kid who sat at the front of the classroom and said yes teacher whatever you want teacher. FAA Disqualifying Conditions: Bipolar Disorder. Ill continue to go by the book until such time as the rules change, or I wish to no longer fly. The FAA issues updates to the AME Guide on a monthly basis. Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Having spent over 10k learning to fly I was advised at my medical I had LBBB. In my opinion the medical standards of evaulating pilots needs to be changed in light of new treatments. N.C., one does not have the right to lie to the feds investigating an illegal act. According to Pilot Self-Grounding Requirements (CFR 61.53), pilots have the duty to ground themselves and report to the FAA any changes in their medical condition before they are able to fly again. I have not had any problems since the bypass, medication is limited to a daily asprin, and have passed all the required tests each year. Speaking as a pilot, I think that there should be a way to maintain certification for those of us flying recreationally without having to see an AME every 2 years. He was a commercial pilot flying 727s. At least three questions on the FAA medical application (Form 8500-8) can identify to the FAA that an individual potentially has a history of ADHD. My first flightdoctor told me he was very happy about having pilots as clients. It is probably one of the most important benefits they offer their members. Auto accident deaths 30,000. Please remember, he has a liability also. The most recent was a year and a half ago. Bluskye, the FAA does not have the personnel to handle things quickly.. I know of several. On a related note, has anyone used an aeromedical service company to help obtain/renew a medical certificate? If you cant pass the physical you need to find another way to fly. Find one that will work with you to meet the necessary requirements, but lying is not an option. Please don't sabotage your own union's efforts on your behalf. This applies to ANY wildcat actions, including slowdown, work-to-rules, withdrawal of enthusiasm (WOE), sickouts, etc. Most women get frequent headaches-about once a month, and heaven forbid but we do go to the doctor and get X-rays and tests once or twice a year. If this is a recurrent problem, getting a class 3 medical can be difficult. 13. I can now only fly Sport due to a medical condition that will cause me to fail the third class medical exam if I take it. The absurdity of these medicals resides in the tiny number of casualties from medical incapacitation, compared to most other activities requiring no medical. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. I disclosed everything on my original medical as a student pilot. He petitioned the FAA to remove his special issuance for that disorder and supplied a letter from his treating physician, and the special issuance requirement went away. AFAIK the FAA considers ADHD medications a serious issue. Please type or print legibly and remember to sign and date the request. 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. 6 months and 2 weeks earlier I had one done for a Peace Corps application and sent that in, which would have been good for 2 years. Thats a good way to get into a LOT of trouble. When learning to fly originally I was not even made aware this nor the NPPL was available. instead of just listening to the engine, watch the instruments that monitored the engine. What are the chances you will get caught? Consider the following tabulations on the number of deaths per year in various activities: Motorcycle deaths 4500 Mike F, I agree, Im probably taking the same medication, also works for IBS. and moved on to checking the no column for the rest of the page. With a small investment of time and energy, in the beginning, it is possible to keep flying with most medical conditions as long as they are well controlled. I dont remember the exact incidence of pilot incapacitations that they quote at the AME seminars, but it is extremely low. It may be that some of you folks are not involved as subcontractors to the Airframe manufacturers. The AME also cannot read their minds, so he cannot go beyond a reasonable interpretation either to help with these questions. I do recommend that you do ask your AME any questions regarding your medications and or your medical history and assist in the gathering of medical records relating to what condition you may have and also the same for your arrest/and or correctional history to explain why on the medical form in the explanations page. I am a nurse and I see it all of the time. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. This does not mean that the AME should ignore any disqualifying condition that you might have. Ok, I read the revised FAA 61.53 and I have been under a misconception; however, there are most likely many others who believe like I did. Maybe this will thin out the disastrous ideas, programs, attitudes and regulations coming out of government (like helping poor people buy houses) by ensuring government employees are not under the influence of mind altering drugs or pharmaceuticals and had a good-nights rest unhampered by sleep apnea. They always do it under the banner of safety. Id rather be flying but I dont require the FAAs approval for my activities. I would love to see the third class go away, but I doubt any government agency will voluntarily give up any turf. Many of the requirements for special issuance for example are redundant and simply bureaucratic paper chases. 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. Flying is no more dangerous than driving when properly trained. I can meet Class 1 if I fib. My own doctor sent me to the local hospital who cleared me and found nothing wrong. Most pilots I know plan to fly for longer than it takes one or two medical certificates to expire. After numerous attempts I decided to contact the FAA of the situation so he would not get away with deceiving the AME again. I have to weigh in on this issue. Why? Often it is not a case of pilots intentionally lying or withholding information that can get them into trouble, but ignorance of what they need to report. However, if you are involved in an accident, incident, or disciplinary action, you can bet that the FAA and the necessary authorities will take the time to investigate, and things you didnt disclose will come out. HIPPA Law prevents them from looking at your medical history without your consent. So, instead of less regulation, we need more and along with that comes enforcement. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. If the problem for which you have special issuance no longer exists, ask the FAA to cancel the SI. Google "Operation Safe Pilot." In a blatant violation of the privacy act of 1974 as amended, the FAA, DOT Inspector General, and SSA Inspector General, conducted an illegal database match looking for common personally identifying information (names and/or social security numbers) in the FAA medical certificate database and the SSA Title 2 and Title 16 disability databases of 45,000 Northern . Its not lying its letting them find out, which would probably never happen unless something came out about it. Pilots that I talk to share the same dreams as I do and we all began chasing the dream at an extremely young age. If you dont take a medication NOW, it does not need to be reported. 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. The FAA would, if it could, ban all general aviation to create a perfect safety record, and thus avoid any potential criticism from the press and Congress. But, I dont think my level of forthcoming on the application was typical. If you can pass a regular physical, youre probably in good enough shape to fly, physically, anyway. Type 2 diabetes, with oral medication, receiving a special issuance every year, until this last one, when the FAA generously determined my AME could recertify me, annually, for five years. I know there are very experienced Senior AMEs out there who may have more influence with a phone call to Oklahoma City. In my case I have never lied, but if Im at risk of loosing my license for a medical condition that is under control I might do that also. Given how stress, marriage pressures, work distractions, fatigue and the hopelessly useless pee in cops cut, phony eye exam work, the self certification (which good pilots do anyway) and lack of medical accident experience with LSA, the fat, useless, overpaid FAA administrators should just go away in favor of drivers license. Help is only a phone call away! I hope the AOPA and the EAA will also move quickly, and I want to thank both organizations for this effort. Email me at [emailprotected]. I dont know if all pilots lie during medicals, but I do know of one who did. Thank you for the post. Even without a lie, I've seen situations in which the need to disclose something might have been questionable and the pilot answered "yes" one year, but "no" in a later year. It is already hard enough to convince the FAA that you are healthy enough to fly after dealing with lifes curve balls. I told the truth (that I had a very early-stage, very treatable cancer) and had my medical yanked. Let me repeat that, every single one, no exceptions. Im older now and have some typical late 40s health issues. No mercy from the FAA and I was not even allowed to go to a hearing I just got the notice of revocation one day and that was it. People Lie to do what they love to do. This is left bundle branch block which is a stop as far as the CAA is concerned. Those that are honest will remain so, and those who arent never will be honest. I have all kinds of things happen to me and I can not possibly put them all down or even remember them. PO Box 882196 On the other hand, the 3rd class questionnaire seems more like screening for In short, the FAA doesnt check medical records unless they have a reason to i.e. Im another one that was originally honest and regrets it. The problem is I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was about 9. The AME might be required to defer your Medical Certificate, but you will be 3-4 months ahead by having the AME submit your medical information along with the 8500-8 rather than waiting for the FAA to ask for the information. Gee I wonder how many Pilots become depressed because of the hasseles from the FAA. Many of the changes result in the easing or clarifying the rules for AMEs to follow. Parasailing. We have a very good AME in our area. see you in the cockpit!! I stopped learning to fly as I did not have the additional funds to have the CAA medical. Crashing airplanes? From the archives: how valuable are check rides? The real problem was that I also am prescribed anti-diarrhea medication and I take it as needed. The Federal Aviation Regulations and U.S. law require that FAA Form 8500-8, the application for a medical certificate, be filled out completely and truthfully'or else. My question is what are they doing in order to get caught. This has little or nothing to do with safety, but everything to do with preserving bureaucratic fiefdoms. As John and Dickie do point out, there are rules and hence bureaucracy in place to protect the masses. This exemption is exactly what I need to keep flying, and I am sure there are many others like me. Where is this regulation? 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 FAA revised 61.53 to include under this prohibition sport pilots who use a current and valid U.S. drivers license as medical qualification.. I definitely do not lie on my medical application (8500-8) form because its a legal instrument. However many of the folks you are asking are not quite so anonymous. Aside from that, I think that few pilots lie but, as Huck Finn said of Mark Twain, there was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth., See my comment about the unconsciousness question. The simple fact is that the FAA generally trusts pilots. However, the overriding principle here is that if you intentionally falsify your medical and are discovered, then you are done permanently. I believe those with conditions that would be considered a problem while flying (vertigo, blackouts, narcolepsy, use of medications that cause side effects that present without warning and could be debilitating, etc.) When that happens, your whole medical history will come under review. Driver licenses are not issued by the Feds. A medical exam is required for a Commercial Driver License and for working on a commercial boat carrying passengers. I took medication for years, before I decided I didn't like and chose to stop taking meds (with my parents). How did the terrorists that crashed into the twin towers pass a medical that I failed for COUNSELING??! Funny thing is the murmur is gone but Ill never have my life back If you lie on your medical form Best of luck. Investigating complaints from citizens and co-workers. If a question comes up about whether or not a pilot is qualified to hold an FAA medical certificate, the application itself usually does not contain enough information for AMCD to make a truly informed decision. Unfortunately some do lie. Doesnt this seem grossly out of proportion? One way is by lying. If I dont tell him would the FAA find out if I never had another attack? I had kidney stone surgery 12 years ago and over the last two years I passed two stones at home. 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. As statistics show flying is considerably safer than any land based carrier. lie if you want, hell find out. The answer is that the population would not tolerate it. Actually, in some years there are 0 attributed to sudden incapacitation, such as heart attack or stroke. To self certify? Yes, I lie about the counseling part. Ive been fighting to get my 3rd class for 10 years and now I think Im close to getting a special issuance. But with such a vague statement, you can see why many pilots may unintentionally get themselves into trouble. However, I also think that the standards for commercial and airline pilots should be more stringent. What next, psych eval, cholesterol screen for atherosclerosis, denying smokers because risk of copd exacerbation in unexpected decompression, genetic screening to predict addictive personality or anger tendency? A. Federal employees should qualify for at least a class three medical for airmen and let us toss in the medication list and drug testing for commercial drivers. Now do you AMEs see how ridiculousness the form is? The odds of a passenger catching Covid-19 on a flight and dying from the virus are less than one in half a million. Ultimately, a yes response to 18m. Sure BUT would that condition really effect his flying? I guess it was a bit negligent on my part to get so far into before getting the medical. The truly dangerous people are those that make impulsive decisions while in a dire mental health state brought on by outside factors. Since my late 30s, I have taken meds to control my blood pressure. The states set the standards for driver licenses and the Feds set the standards for pilot medical certificates and pilot certificates. Make the FAA do a special issue for every single pilot in the country. Needless to say, I passed. There are about 450-500 deaths per year in ALL of general aviation. Oh sure they lie. He was flying with ryanair and was due to move to emirates. When that syndrome is cured, much of what is wrong at FAA will be cured. How many of you have had an enforcement action for a medical violation? The FAA can get your records from Social Security if you are on Medicare. Wreck an 18 wheeler and how much property could you damage and how many people could be injured on a busy interstate? I mean no offense, but other adults telling another adult whether or not to disclose something on a medical just doesn't seem right. Theres also the issue of things that a doctor may speculate on that they have no training or qualifications to formally diagnose. Do You Need A PHD To Be A Medical Scientist? Im a depressed individual Ive been formally diagnosed with dysthemic disorder, a long-term, low grade version of chronic depression that isnt helped with medications. So, easing up on the medical requirements would be based on real world situations. Special Issuance hoop jumping is expensive. Pedestrian deaths 5300 By the way a friend of mine died 2 hours after acquiring his 2nd class medical. The system does work though. Willy post had only one eye should he have been grounded.??? It was OK to fly without government harassment. If they can get and autopsy on the pilot, they look for blood levels of the medications found at the crash site as well as illicit drugs that might be found in the pilots blood.
