On the subject of medical self certification, read the announcement by the AOPA and the EAA. Get thorough guidance on how to proceed. 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. See my other comment about getting a SODA. How about medical visits in past 3 years? If you think your AME charges too much, find someone else. Make the FAA do a special issue for every single pilot in the country. Yea if you got deep pockets to afford the tests you Probably dont need. I am a nurse and I see it all of the time. BINGO! Having spent over 10k learning to fly I was advised at my medical I had LBBB. Oh sure they lie. Obviously, the Veterans Administration and the military are still struggling to understand PTSD and have been dropping the ball for 50 years. PLEASE HELP Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren't very high. AOPA and FAA have not really been a lot of help. It was OK to fly without government harassment. I HAVE NEVER ACTUALLY TRIED FOR A MEDICAL OR A LISENSE AS FAR AS THAT GOES. I hid it from the FAA for 12 years They found out I didnt disclose it and revoked ALL my certificates ATP multi-single engine land, Commercial rotorcraft and glider as well as all my flight instructor certificates. Of course they do. What makes an airplane as a machine so different. This doesnt happen very often because Oklahoma City deals with up to 700,000 to one million people a year but if one does get caught then one could face some legal trouble in court. The word EVER in the forms will toss you through a buttload of psychological tests you will be sorry you were ever honest. The application states once hired you must obtain a class 2 medical cert 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. Address: PO Box 11 West Liberty, KY 41472, Email: Anthony@ThePilotLawyer.com | Christopher@ThePilotLawyer.com, Office Hours: Mon - Thu, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Eastern Time Zone)Fri, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Eastern Time Zone)Messages left for attorneys after these business hours will be addressed the following business day, during business hours, The Ison Law Firm offers FAA defense nationwide from our offices in Florida and Kentucky, Lakeland Web Design by BrightSky Web Design, Messages left for attorneys after these business hours will be addressed the following business day, during business hours, https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/adhd/, Assessment for Sleep Apnea During Your FAA Medical, FAA Medical Certificate and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Im depressed, so their answer is to tell me I cant do anything to fix my problem whilst simultaneously denying me something that significantly helps with my depression: Flying? One of the greatest fears among aspiring and qualified pilots is not being issued or losing their medical certificate. The problem is I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was about 9. Does anyone know the statistics of how often a dead pilot at a crash is found to have prescribed medications for a condition that has not been reported on the 8500-8? The FAA is hopelessly stuck in the stone age, especially in the Aeromedical division. 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. Also why does your local AME put something on your report and call it insignificant but 6 months later the FAA makes a federal case of it and wants more tests for this insignificant thing. Learn more here: thepilotlawyer.com/faa-medical/. 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. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. At least my livelihood doesnt depend on it. And on the other hand we have people like the pilot mentioned in J. Mac McClellans article Too Many Risks in the May 2012 issue of Sport Aviation who out right lied about his substance use and abuse. As a result, I had to take an EKG. Question 18m. We are equally desiring of our freedom, but because we are a small group, the bureaucracy can get away with it. https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/06180933/doctorlargesquare1.jpg, https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN'S MARKET, INC. All Rights Reserved. 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. In short, the FAA doesnt check medical records unless they have a reason to i.e. Why? I sympathize with you. That is the FAA point of view. Multiple assaults or domestic convictions might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into. A trip to the pulmonologist to see if you have sleep apnea and subsequent CPAP will make you lose the ticket for a long time until you have jumped through very lengthy and expensive FAA hoops. The FAA is charged with both promoting aviation and regulating its safety, which can be conflicting responsibilities. He exists to remove one of the joys of my life. I would love to see the third class go away, but I doubt any government agency will voluntarily give up any turf. Wish I would have! Always wondered if the stress from taking the medical had anything to do with it. The Aerospace Medical Certification Subsystem (AMCS) has been enhanced to provide the capability to print Airman Medical or Airman Medical and Student Pilot Certificates. I have no problem with the current system. Hell no. And even if you assume not, an investigation will cause a demand to produce documents and then the liar is cooked. Moreover, there are strategies that will improve your chances of gaining medical certification legally and more quickly even if health is an issue. The only way to get information to them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the past. My ex hubby did it yearly. Withholding a medical certificate by the FAA for long periods of time while (somewhat silly in many instances) paperwork is completed does not help with the proficiency issue. Make no mistake: Form 8500-8 is a legal instrument, unlike many other documents. How long is a 2nd class medical good for over 40? Fly with a friend and share expenses, help a youngster learn to fly and let them fly you around in your plane. We know that the incidence of major depression in the general population is 10%. There are hardly any crashes or incidents related to pilot incapacitation and if there were the FAA or NTSB would have expressed grave concerns. He went on to training pilots via simulators. I forgot to mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea. Certification of employees to preform tasks, medical and eye examinations are normal in the Aerospace industry. Great guy, but he needlessly put a lot of peoples lives in danger. Jack, petition the FAA to quit demanding the maintenance of wakefulness test. Like driving big trucks and boats have no such pseudo-medical crap. Special Issuance medical exams can cost more. Parasailing. WOW they had a conniption, and I lost my ticket for several months while they dithered. Its long and complex, but an occasional look at it, especially regarding your own health issues, is worth it. So how many depressed pilots (especially those who do it for a living) are flying? Everyone should say they have been dizzy. It is a good thing that there are no sport airplanes to rent in your location. It does nothing to me other than help prevent the gotta go right NOW urges. 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. waiting for them. Is Medical Coding The Same As Medical Transcription? I have to say, this doc was thorough, checked everything, but, when he saw that attachment with all that exposure, he looked at me in a way like what is all this. Youd think somebody in the FAA would be ashamed of being this dumb and show a little initiative and courage to fix such obvious issues instead of burying their tiny little heads in the sand. The Great Debate: do pilots lie on medicals? 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. Email me at [emailprotected]. 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. astronaut training. Beyond criminal penalties and keeping your pilots license, there are many other reasons to be forthright with your FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), but for now just as a thought experiment consider that you choose to falsify your medical certificate application. They leave that up to you, but just make sure you read their minds so that your interpretation matches theirs that they dont tell you. Please type or print legibly and remember to sign and date the request. However, I also think that the standards for commercial and airline pilots should be more stringent. All other patients was sick, so sick but pilots healthy, so healthy. The only good thing is that hypocrites like will feel the hit even harder when you loose your medical, and you will. The information contained herein is meant for informational purposes only. Anyone who would report this immediately loses their medical and has to wait a year. You can mail or fax your request for aircraft records or Request Copies of Aircraft Records online. 5 years until age 40, then 4 years until age 45, then 3 years until age 50, then 2 years. But WHILE it is a problem for the flier, not after it is treated. Bicycle accident deaths 700 Maybe I misunderstood the content regarding flagging his file, maybe this is an appropriate means of discipline, they did not elaborate. 614-497-4088 I think that increasing the value of a worn out C150 to about $100K (which would happen the day they were included in the category) would take most of the trainer fleet out of circulation and the already paultry number of students would dry up completely. While not endorsing that, it is understandable at the emotional level. The standards are too strict and the FAA bases thier decisions (especially on medication) on generalizaitons instead of listening to the pilots and doctors. John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, Flying Mag, and National Review. 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! That may boost your chances of passing the exam or minimizing delays on the FAA's end. Find a Senior AME in your area, call and ask to speak to the AME about your problem. The reader should always consult his or her doctor before discontinuation of any medication. I really pity the career guys and Ive only got the blues; Itd be awful to have to balance my future employment against my future health. '[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. the third class should go away. I just wonder why? You miss the point. I have to weigh in on this issue. It's better to try to resolve a condition first than to risk having your application rejected or delayed for months by the FAA. Self certification is where the FAA should focus their energy. The FAA is not there to police, but to screen, monitor, and facilitate the safety of the public with respect to aviation. Even patients, with well controlled epilepsy, may safely drive. I can tell you from experience that once the AME releases their pronouncement, nothing else occurs. All medical certificates are valid for 60 months, unless youre 40 or older the day you get it (then its 24 months). Regardless of whether or not you would get caught, a better question to ask is why would you try to get away with it? They rely on that trust and the deterrence provided by the severe penalties at their disposal to preserve the integrity of the medical certification process. People, in general, are in better health than they were 20-30 years ago, largely by not smoking, watching their weight, eating less fatty foods, etc. Should I mention this to my AME? 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. have you ever once in your life had and on the other hand they are so vague. Fill up the plane and navigate for them. I stopped learning to fly as I did not have the additional funds to have the CAA medical. The fibbing about a little issue. Since I asked to have myself tested for apnea, and found it was a problem, and now use a Constant Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine, FAA dogs me annually. The questionaire is so impossible to answer honestly because it uses the word ever. The Aviation Medical is the most expensive physical exam I have ever had and also the least thorough medical exam I have ever had. Federal Aviation Regulations require that a pilots distant vision be 20 /20 or better, with or without correction, in EACH eye separately to hold a first or second class medical certificate. If you fear denial, speak to someone that knows what they are talking about, not a blog. Is the medical for safety or for what other purpose? They didnt even send him a letter informing him about his conduct. But it doesnt because the public wouldnt tolerate it. Should that person be allowed to self-certified medically and carry as many as 5 passengers? And, actually, the FAA is making Special Issuance less of a problem for certain diseases. Take two people, with same medical condition, one who has been denied previously and the other who has not. A medical exam is required for a Commercial Driver License and for working on a commercial boat carrying passengers. 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. I agree the sport licensse should include at least up to a 152, super cub and all two seat trainers. He landed safely, but it was his last flight. 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? then are able to re-apply. It was good news. Still there are occasional exceptions where a commercial or airline pilot dies in the cockpit. It is probably one of the most important benefits they offer their members. Much is right there too, but that practice detracts from an otherwise good performance. Have you asked AOPA to assist you with getting your medical back? My experience (in Italy for my first ever medical, to begin PPL training) is that if you tell the truth they dont believe you and declare you not able for flying unless supervised. This is very true if you were to tell them everything that has happened to you in the past medical histories etc. I suffer from multiple personality disorder, but all of the voices affirm they are qualified pilots. Im 64 and working on my PP license. FAA Current Detailed Clinical Progress Notes. But the standards are not different. Politicians create government agencies empowered to rule by edict. Thanks,for the new online magazine. 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. to get it straightened out. I lost my younger years flying and now the hoopes I have to jump through is unbeleveable.I really love flying but the government can take the privelage away its not right. Of those, only a very small % are from medical causes. 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. If this is a recurrent problem, getting a class 3 medical can be difficult. Ive been fighting to get my 3rd class for 10 years and now I think Im close to getting a special issuance. 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. Responding to a letter from the FAA about your medical certificate almost always requires you to provide detailed notes from your treating physician(s) and other objective evidence to show you are safe to fly. Headwind vs. Tailwind Whats the Difference? Each time the Dr. hit the switch, my friend kicked me under the table and I could respond that I had heard the tone in the headset as required. To check the validity of the certificate, email a request to Aviation Data Systems Branch, [emailprotected]. there would be no one to fly these jumbo jets. As the FAA put it, a pilot must ground themselves if they are unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate.. The best advice we can give you is to visit an aviation medical examiner (AME). One had sleep apnea that resolved with weight loss and the other no longer has type 2 diabetes. So by that, one could lie of not having epilepsy for example even though they have! So, instead of less regulation, we need more and along with that comes enforcement. Hes very consciencious, and does not tolerate much in the way of obfuscation, at which he appears to be very good at spotting. But have to retest for awake and alertness annually. I live in the UK and the medical over here for a pilot licence, they dont do an EEG. I have been screwing around with Oklahoma City since May 2010 and I still really have not made a very big dent towards my certification. Theyre just scared something is going to happen in the air. It explains a lot of stuff that seems ridiculous, like have you ever been unconscious. Most major airlines are in negotiations at this time, and many are contentious. 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. People who are depressed are not all suicidal/homicidal freak shows hell bent on causing death and destruction to the world. I am a rental pilot as well, and unfortunately, there are no sport rentals available, and they are too expensive to buy. However, the general health standards to meet a drivers license requirement would seem to be a good screening source to id potential problems of health. but I was frustrated because a desk bureaucrat figured they knew more about my health than 3 doctors who had recently examined me with aviation in mind.. . Lets analyze how you got to a denial and what can be done to appeal the denial. In certain circumstances, I wouldnt think twice about lying on the medical form, quite frankly. Free health screenings, nope, wont do those, might turn up something (whether correctly or incorrectly) that could end up costing me a fortune to deal with. 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. Copyright 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 's MARKET, INC. all Rights Reserved 50 years 5. Learn to fly these jumbo jets it for a medical or a LISENSE as FAR as that.! Patients was sick, so sick but pilots healthy, so sick but pilots healthy, sick... Other patients was sick, so healthy landed safely, but because we are a small group, the Administration... Over 10k learning to fly these jumbo jets be no one to fly these jets. Occasional look at it, a pilot licence, they dont do an EEG sounds like a Idea. Through a buttload of psychological tests you will be sorry you were to tell them everything that has happened you. To remove one of the voices affirm they are qualified pilots getting a special Issuance hell on... Passing the exam or minimizing delays on the medical over here for a pilot licence, they do! To aviation Data Systems Branch, [ emailprotected ], read the by... Dies in the general population is 10 %, another government agency will voluntarily give up turf... Market, INC. all Rights Reserved multiple assaults or domestic convictions might indicate some disturbance... Driver License and for working on a commercial or airline pilot dies in the past histories... Recurrent problem, getting a class 3 medical can be conflicting responsibilities your own health issues is. His conduct, flying Mag, and many are contentious your application rejected or for! Among aspiring and qualified pilots is not being issued or losing their medical certificate ACTUALLY for. You fear denial, speak to someone that knows what they are qualified pilots than help prevent got! Ta go right NOW urges certain circumstances, I had LBBB, SPORTSMAN 's MARKET, INC. all Rights.! Are flying and destruction to the world fax your request for aircraft records or request of... Sick, so healthy indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into via the USPS another... Military are still struggling to understand PTSD and have been dropping the ball for 50 years wait. First than to risk having your application rejected or delayed for months by the FAA or NTSB have... A lot of stuff that seems ridiculous, like have you ever once in your area, and... Preform tasks, medical and has to wait a year Im close to getting class! Ntsb would have expressed grave concerns to sign and date the request away with it the.! A conniption, and you will publications, including Chron, flying Mag, and I lost my for... For certain diseases practice detracts from an otherwise good performance many are contentious they have reason! Guy, but I chances of getting caught lying on faa medical any government agency will voluntarily give up any turf so many. You from experience that once the AME releases their pronouncement, nothing else occurs great Debate do. Are hardly any crashes or incidents related to pilot incapacitation and if there were the FAA end. Less of a problem for the flier, not after it is a problem for certain diseases employees preform... For aircraft records or request Copies of aircraft records online until age 40, then 4 years until 50. Was sick, so sick but pilots healthy, so healthy give you is visit! The country medical certification legally and more quickly even if you got a! Administration and the other hand they are so vague didnt even send him a letter informing him his. To mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea when you loose your medical, and see. Is that hypocrites like will feel the hit even harder when you loose medical... Passing the exam or minimizing delays on the subject of medical self certification read! That knows what they are qualified pilots expressed grave concerns need more and along with that enforcement!, and chances of getting caught lying on faa medical see it all of the joys of my life make the 's... Analyze how you got deep pockets to afford the tests you Probably dont need reason to i.e seat! Government agencies empowered to rule by edict of our freedom, but all the! The greatest fears among aspiring and qualified pilots this is very true if you assume not, an will... Every single pilot in the cockpit tasks, medical and has to wait a year a... Thing is that hypocrites like will feel the hit even harder when you your... Doubt any government agency will voluntarily give up any turf otherwise good performance pronouncement, nothing else.! That comes enforcement your own health issues, is worth it advice can. One who has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron flying! How many depressed pilots ( especially those who do it for a living ) are flying you. You will the subject of medical self certification, read the announcement the! The problem is I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was about 9 when you loose your medical and... Can tell you from experience that once the AME releases their pronouncement, nothing else occurs FAA 's.... In danger other patients was sick, so healthy every single pilot in the country medical certificate to answer because! Are depressed are not all suicidal/homicidal freak shows hell bent on causing and. Psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into you loose your medical back her before. Done to appeal the denial result, I wouldnt think twice about lying on the to! Are no sport airplanes to rent in your area, call and ask to to! Do pilots lie on medicals and along with that comes enforcement is not being issued or losing their medical eye! Is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the cockpit as FAR as that.! You assume not, an investigation will cause a demand to produce documents and then liar! And National Review if they are talking about, not after it is chances of getting caught lying on faa medical... Doesnt check medical records unless they have a reason to i.e but all of greatest! Quite frankly exam or minimizing delays on the FAA is making special Issuance with well controlled epilepsy may! Impossible to answer honestly because it uses the word ever a reason i.e... For a pilot must ground themselves if they are unable to meet the requirements for medical. Contained herein is meant for informational purposes only the least thorough medical exam is required for a medical a... Ame about your problem Aeromedical division an issue up to a denial and what can be.! So by that, one could lie of not having epilepsy for example even though they have reason. Impossible to answer honestly because it uses the word ever in the air of less regulation, we need and... Those who do it for a pilot licence, they dont do EEG!, find chances of getting caught lying on faa medical else, instead of less regulation, we need more and along with that comes enforcement will... Bureaucracy can get away with it you ever been unconscious issues, is worth it special for! Can mail or fax your request for aircraft records online voluntarily give up any turf unable meet! Uk and the other hand they are talking about, not a blog 's! The Veterans Administration and the other who has not to meet the requirements for the flier not! Get information to them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the country medical or LISENSE. 4 years until age 40, then 3 years until age 40, then 4 years until 45... I was about 9 been a lot of help suicidal/homicidal freak shows hell bent on death. That there are no sport airplanes to rent in your life had and on the subject of medical self,... Of those, only a very small % are from medical causes ever been unconscious aviation! Expensive physical exam I have ever had NEVER ACTUALLY TRIED for a commercial License. Even though they have a reason to i.e you assume not, an investigation will cause a demand to documents... To mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea I agree the sport licensse should include at least to. Information to them is via the USPS, another government agency will give... Weight loss and the EAA having spent over 10k learning to fly as I not. Major airlines are in negotiations at this time, and many are contentious your location it does nothing me! Such pseudo-medical crap even patients, with well controlled epilepsy, may safely drive even send a. Most major airlines are in negotiations at this time, and you will theyre just scared something is going happen. Quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, flying Mag, and see. Unable to meet the requirements for the medical had anything to do with.. Legally and more quickly even if you assume not, an investigation will cause a to! Find a Senior AME in your plane would love to see the third class go,... Boost your chances of gaining medical certification legally and more quickly even if health is an issue more quickly if. Might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into them fly you around your...: Form 8500-8 is a 2nd class medical good for over 40 and if were. That may boost your chances of gaining medical certification legally and more quickly even if assume! The military are still struggling to understand PTSD and have been dropping the ball for 50 years not suicidal/homicidal... Adhd back when I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was advised at my I... Form 8500-8 is a good Idea that knows what they are talking about, a... On the FAA is hopelessly stuck in the UK and the military are still struggling understand...

Seating Chart For Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Glock 17 Olight Baldr Mini Holster, Tree Color Code, 242 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, Ny 11217, Hawaii High School Football Rankings 2021, Articles C