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. FAA sets up high-level alerts for missed airline inspections, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The 3rd class medical crosses the line where freedom is unreasonably denied in the pursuit of absolute safety. I wonder if your AME is really doing everything he can to be your advocate in this situation. If he admits it and is taking an approved medication, there are a few extra steps but he will maintain his medical. Moreover, there are strategies that will improve your chances of gaining medical certification legally and more quickly even if health is an issue. His point is that no one requires commercial Two of the pilots I know of with these problems have Class 1 Medical Certificates. So why are private pilots singled out for this rediculous harrassment ? If your nephew had his medical denied for 10 years, he must have been found to have epilepsy. Brian, what about a medication that was rx when you were eight and havent taken for 20yrs? Im still going to try to jump through the medical hoops because I love to fly. While my husband sailed through after having lied. If they used MODERN medicine and common sense then I would have no problem with them. This is why sometimes it becomes necessary to avoid telling the attending physician more than is necessary least the physician spin the whole condition in different light by making a mountain out of a mole hill, thereby destroying the flying career of the pilot for something that even the physician himself or herself is not sure about. Im just grateful to have my medical and hope to keep it however long I have to have it. Skye, If you have not required counselling for a few years and are not taking anti-depressants you should be good to go. An airline pilot may have 500 passengers aboard while flying under stringent IFR conditions. Justify their positions by educating and hammering self certification, not for two or five years, but every flight. Its just not opening an unnecessary can of worms. Flying brought some much needed joy back into my life. Did you tell the FAA you snore? See Also: Do Flight Schools Drug Test Students? But missing information will simply cause delays and more work; the medical examiner and/or the FAA's Aeromedical Certification Division in Oklahoma City, Okla., won't process an incomplete form. When I was active duty Air Force we had a guy pass his medical and they drop from a heart attack the next day while sitting on his couch. The only variable is about what. Dr. House. https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/SAFE_PILOT_Testimony_july17.pdf. This is because you know you have a condition that would disqualify you if you did apply for a Third Class medical. That is why the FAA doesnt sanction Mr. Diabetes as Dickie would like. Well, I believe we should have to have a medical to operate a car, a motorcycle, a truck, a bus, a train or any type of machine that is exposed to or involved in transportation. 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. So, I can only assume that the FAA will see it so there is no question about having to report it myself. Are they going to question my patriotism or mental stability? hej Jim, you couldnt describe better the current situation: from Aryan superman to weelchair pilot. Heres a guy who was never diagnosed with depression or showed any signs of it, but still completed the act so feared by these administrators. When that syndrome is cured, much of what is wrong at FAA will be cured. The MedXPress application In order to understand how likely it is the FAA would catch you lying, it is important to understand how they would catch you. George ED King says: I know this Pilot who has type 1 Diabetes which requires insulin injections daily, drinks alcohol every night, takes an antidepressant, and every afternoon gets the shakes. It may be that some of you folks are not involved as subcontractors to the Airframe manufacturers. The additional costs associated with FAA medicals will reduce flying time for many of us there goes the proficiencey issue again. Brian, you are right on about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for pilots with the FAA medical people. Just makes you wonder. '[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. LSAs can kill any number in a mid-air and some on the ground as well as a passenger. Yea if you got deep pockets to afford the tests you Probably dont need. One had sleep apnea that resolved with weight loss and the other no longer has type 2 diabetes. Anyway if your willing I have a ton of questions for you. The simple fact is that the FAA generally trusts pilots. And the Medical Flight Test needs to be taken only once and the SODA is good indefinitely. 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. He then went on to work for the leading aviation magazines, including as editor of both AOPA Pilot and Flying. People who are actually depressed long term are not really at risk of doing things like this if they were, they wouldnt be here to start with. Assuming you appropriately responded to one of these three questions, your application was likely deferred and the FAA sent you a letter, requesting medical records. I did years later and got totally cleared. You get caught lying on a medical, they'll do a lot more than just bust your balls. I need some advice from experienced pilots / medical professionals about a problem. There, see you did lie on your medical didnt you. Until recently, a new pilot who had prostate cancer 10 years ago and has no evidence of recurrence had to jump through a bunch of hoops, and might have required special issuance. Your email address will not be published. My thought exactly: my last 3 medicals have consisted of please pee in this cup do you have any complaints? He started his career working with his father, Leighton Collins, at the original Air Facts magazine. Yes, they do. My AME is my regular Doctor. One will get a license. Everyone lies technically. Well maybe a little? PLEASE HELP Make a copy of the original and keep that in a safe place. Im not trying to be deceitful, but I really want to be prepared for this interview and I dont see the importance of something that wont effect flying. Yes, I lie about the counseling part. Wouldnt tell you if I had a peg leg and a glass eye. He refused to take the physical his business required because his family had a history of heart trouble, he was a bit overweight, etc. 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!) I can not discuss my medical problems with my trusted friend and AME as he MUST tell the FAA about these problems! Id probably be in better shape if I *wasnt* a pilot since Id feel free to take advantage of those things, whereas now theyre just traps, ways to lose the ability to fly. You never know what will happen to a pilot in flight with his medical conditions. The FAA issues updates to the AME Guide on a monthly basis. Its only a matter of time. On the other hand, the 3rd class questionnaire seems more like screening for Who gave the FAA the power to stop pilots from flying because they take antidepressants? Thats out of tens of millions of flights. What most folks dont realize is that less than 1% of medical applications are denied whether it be for diabetes or criminal record. I fly for a living. Those marathons at age 26 paid off. No further action by AWP-300. Not much of a medical exam, if you ask me. Im not sure what I think about all this but Ill tell you my story. Those that are honest will remain so, and those who arent never will be honest. If I wanted to continue learning to fly I had to pay to visit a nomiated CAA doctor. I forgot to mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea. Multiple assaults or domestic convictions might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into. I dont care who you are if you tell me that you have never been diagnosed with anything then you are the liar. Im another one that was originally honest and regrets it. AS for moving the old trainers into the light sport rules is not really a great option either, just get some training and rent a light sport. At medical renewal you give a different date for same previously reported event. In other words, your health is in your hands. Alternatively, upon 90-days of discontinuation of medication, you can potentially undergo the requested neuropsychological testing prescribed by the FAA. Why would you need to report that? I can meet Class 1 if I fib. Perhaps most problematic is that these medications are disqualifying in and of themselves. ALTHOUGH IF I HAD ONE LITTLE INKLING OF BEING UNSAFE I WOULD QUIT. However, my pilots do. Learn more here: thepilotlawyer.com/faa-medical/. First class medical exams can cost up to $200. 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. In the latest installment of The Great Debate, Richard Collins asks you to weigh in on whether pilots are truthful when they visit the AME. I am going to start a letter campaign to ask the people who can make this happen (our elected officials), to get behind it and make it happen quickly. Such a persons private physician(s) might not think so, but those physician(s) have no say in the matter. People are willing to take the risks in exchange for their freedoms. The Dr. the agency recommended was an AMI. I got my license back about 10 years ago. Duration of Medical Certificate Pilots who are age 40 and older will still renew a third class medical every 24 months. Having spent over 10k learning to fly I was advised at my medical I had LBBB. Type II diabetes, coronary artery stents, history of myocardial infarction (heart attack), various cancers, and several other diseases are disqualifying, but Special Issuance can be obtained by doing the hoop jumping that the FAA requires, such as providing a statement from your treating physician, listing the medications that you take, do you have any side effects from the medications, do the medications actually work. Otherwise I tend to be so healthy that I simply wouldnt ever go to the doctor. Auto accident deaths 30,000. There shouldnt be different standards. 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. Im a late student and cancer survivor and the FAA takes three months to get my student permit back and it expires in nine months. I hope the AOPA and the EAA will also move quickly, and I want to thank both organizations for this effort. Sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to have medicals. The AME is there to help you get a medical LEGALLY when you have one or more disqualifying conditions. I can only speak from my personal experience as a pilot with a special issuance medical. But, it was not the fault of the FAA, it was mine for not verifying the doctors statement before submitting it. While I dont think most will lie on their medicals, I feel that some will if they have an issue and are in fear of losing their certificate(s). The AME will then be required to report any changes to the FAA, If not, there is no need to report to the FAA. On the other hand, the FAA medical system is complex, expensive, and difficult to support with data showing lives saved, etc. Policy So do we really want 10+% of our commercial pilots to be flying with untreated major depressive disorders? There is so much hearing loss among the older pilot population, but current practices do not do much more than whisper a question when not facing the pilot. The FAA can get your records from Social Security if you are on Medicare. The rules here have not changed, but the enforcement will now result in a 30 day ban from APC for violations. I Fly America 2021, Paul Engstrom, Aviation Writer and IFA Member, Health for Pilots: A Complete Guide to FAA Medical Certification and Self-Care. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.). FAA Current Detailed Clinical Progress Notes. 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. Therefore I go to a chiropractor every chance I get. No, most pilots have few issues. Drowning deaths 2400 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. I do not think that there is anybody who does not lie or has not lied at one time or another. Taint worth messing up folks. Why do we have a federal bureaucracy policing such a low number of casualties? All content is fact-checked before publication. Yes I can agree even thought I am a pilot right now I do want to work for the airlines one day so I will need a first class which I currently hold. I hadnt had any issues or symptoms for over 10 yrs., doctors Id seen always pronounced me fit & healthy. In my opinion the medical standards of evaulating pilots needs to be changed in light of new treatments. Smaller countries use the FAA regulations for medical certification and, therefore, use the 8500-8 form and have it submitted to the FAA for approval. He never lied. So why open a can of worms by telling the aviation medical examiner? Because of that, it is very easy to get away with lying on your medical certificate application. In fact, it would be easier to get an approval with an assault record than for a DUI record. If say 10% are due to medical incapacitation, that would be 45-50 deaths a year. As a pilot for over 13 years and now an AME as of this month, I understand your concern. It sure would eliminate a lot of phone calls and digging through files for me. The premise of someone getting over long-term depression is laughable. I do medicals on two pilots who went on a vigorous diet and lost weight. - I am going to take my FAA First Class Medical examination in a few months for my very first certificate. He had diabetes. If the problem went away, petition the FAA to remove the requirement for special issuance. This is a bit off the subject of lying on the 8500-8, but it addresses another approach to not requiring a medical examination for certain types of flying. My own doctor sent me to the local hospital who cleared me and found nothing wrong. When a government becomes oppressive, intransigent, and unreasonable, allowing no recourse beyond its edicts, eventually people react. Also remember Ronald Crews 16 months in jail flying with Cape Air back in 2006 for lying about his diabetes on question 18k and then he had a diabetic seizure in flight but luckily there was a student pilot there to land the plane. You are very nave about physicians income from doing FAA medicals. 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