I asked him why I had to jump through all these hoops if I could get a waiver. Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren't very high. 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. After 30 years without a problem, one would think the risk of incapacitation is no greater than the general pilot population flying on a normal class III medical. 'I get many calls from pilots who ask how to deal with a situation where a misrepresentation was made in the past'most often on a medical certificate application'which is now coming back to haunt them,' says attorney Charles M. Finkel. He was a commercial pilot flying 727s. Even patients, with well controlled epilepsy, may safely drive. All because of a blood pressure medication I put on my 2012 medical form. The rules here have not changed, but the enforcement will now result in a 30 day ban from APC for violations. Needless to say, I passed. The regulations are not arbitrary. Perhaps its not actually a lie, maybe just selectively forgetting something. Find one that will help you get through the maze, not simply hand your problem off to the FAA. Also the FAA does check your National Driver Register/Record so make sure you keep your driving safe. It is probably one of the most important benefits they offer their members. One way is by lying. I dont remember the exact incidence of pilot incapacitations that they quote at the AME seminars, but it is extremely low. Most major airlines are in negotiations at this time, and many are contentious. If you have a medical issue, may god be with you as you try to figure out exactly what you have to do (e.g. They are really convincing and will definitely work. That would translate into 45-50 deaths a year. What I think is if a driver goes to the DMV to go get his eyes checked then that drivers license should be his medical as his third class and it would save the government money because there wouldnt be as many pilots to go after it would just be the professionals. All pilots know that after taking the physical they self-certify before every flight for the next year or two. Investigating complaints from citizens and co-workers. How is that fair? I understand why a lot of this stuff, like the sport pilot initiative, takes so long and always falls short, but cmon, this one is easy and its gonna bite them in the ass. Please type or print legibly and remember to sign and date the request. I am very curious. They even asked me are you sure you never had epilepsy attacks?. 2022 MedMG - All Rights Reserved Thats just BS. Some do it by mistake. I manage my health daily so as to not have to place them in a position to yank my ticket or otherwise cause me not to self certify. With a second class medical, itll be 12 calendar months, and if you start with the third class medical, itll be for 24 calendar months. On the other hand, the 3rd class questionnaire seems more like screening for I just received a response from The office of Audit and Evaluations concurring the facts, stating He does not hold a current medical certification at this time, his file has been flagged for future applications. whether, in their life, have they been diagnosed with, had, or presently have a history of ADHD. Find another AME. Hmm cant spell worth a darn mostly dumb fingers will that get me rejected??? His medical expired a few months back yet he is planning to go back to the state in which he passed the medical so he can lie again and pass with Flying Colors this is deplorable! What makes an airplane as a machine so different. FAA Current Detailed Clinical Progress Notes. Is the medical for safety or for what other purpose? Wiley Post would have never passed a physical. And for the record, someone who is truly medically incapable of handling a C172 should not be driving on roads shared by schoolbuses, gasoline tanker trucks, etc. Im not sure what I think about all this but Ill tell you my story. (No misprint.) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Eat right, excercise, dont smoke, and dont take drugs of any kind. So the Medical certification system is statistically, virtually, perfector..redundant AS LONG AS you are in a multi-crew aircraft. Because they can longer fly. Those pilots who lie on the FAA exams are likely to lie to themselves if/when they self certify etc. The FAA Medical requirements need revision and made more rational instead of simply being a procedural nightmare for pilots. Governmental overkill? I Fly America 2021, Paul Engstrom, Aviation Writer and IFA Member, Health for Pilots: A Complete Guide to FAA Medical Certification and Self-Care. I completely agree with you. I used to go up about twice a week; now I havent flown since August. But what happens when the FAA lies. BUT I HAVE 40+ YEARS AND 5100 HRS OF PIC IN MY OWN AIR CRAFT WITH OUT INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT. Do You Need A PHD To Be A Medical Scientist? The Aviation Medical is the most expensive physical exam I have ever had and also the least thorough medical exam I have ever had. The medical only looks at your health at the point in time. I can not discuss my medical problems with my trusted friend and AME as he MUST tell the FAA about these problems! Furthermore, any standard of medical concern for pilots is lost because it allows the FAA to turn a blind eye to a medical condition. Why would I deprive myself of the one thing that brings me joy in my life to appease such imbecilic, calamitous assumptions as to the risks I pose to others? Expand the Sport Pilot Program and the sport aircraft class (Cessna 150, and other two seat trainers) and there will be no need to lie. Even if you can disprove a legitimate history or diagnosis of ADHD (discussed further below), use of a disqualifying medication within 90 days of application will usually lead to a denial. Have you asked AOPA to assist you with getting your medical back? In this application, you must disclose any information about a condition that has the potential to affect your eligibility to fly. 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. I am now 75 years old, and the FAA continues to demand increasily more stringent testing to get the isssuance. 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. It is important to point out, according to the AOPA, there have been no accidents related to pilots self-certifying and flying under the Sport program, and many of those pilots Im sure, were under the same misconception as me! What can some shrink tell me about myself that I dont already know? From a practical standpoint, it makes the most sense. Pilots that I talk to share the same dreams as I do and we all began chasing the dream at an extremely young age. It does nothing to me other than help prevent the gotta go right NOW urges. How do I get a copy of my FAA written test? He refused to take the physical his business required because his family had a history of heart trouble, he was a bit overweight, etc. Counseling, HTN, whatever. The AME guide expands on that question to unexplained unconsciousness. The AME Guide is available to all pilots on the FAA website. How do I get my FAA medical records? I reported hypertension and was required to have an entire cardiac work-up within the past 6 months. I am hoping that they do the right thing when it comes to my health assessment. A wise man once said to me that the more you tell them the more you with have to sit through. I have been a private pilot since 10/05/2013 I know that the medical form is a self certifying process that can have good or bad risks but you never know what the FAA has access to since their a government organization/department. Do you need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot? So Rex you never spun around and got dizzy as a child? I'm a pilot, and an air traffic controller. Your family and friends consider you more important than any flying you may do. Brian, you are right on about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for pilots with the FAA medical people. Im older now and have some typical late 40s health issues. PERIOD. Read from the question directly above the one you linked to: Long-standing FAA regulation, 61.53, prohibits all pilotsthose who are required to hold airman medical certificates and those who are notfrom exercising privileges during periods of medical deficiency. Requesting Medical Records. The FAA issues updates to the AME Guide on a monthly basis. Its sad. If he admits it and is taking an approved medication, there are a few extra steps but he will maintain his medical. Question 17 can identify for the FAA that an individual is currently taking a disqualifying medication such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera, etc, commonly used to treat ADHD. I know of several. Does anyone really believe that this is also not true for pilots and in fact is probably much higher, given the hard working conditions. In my opinion the medical standards of evaulating pilots needs to be changed in light of new treatments. Neither IFA, nor Paul Engstrom assume any responsibility or liability for events that occur due to actions you or others on your behalf take based on the information given in this article. If you have a condition which COULD result in a denial then get it checked out because you have a potential medical condition that could be a problem with you living. Did you tell the FAA you snore? AMCD will consider much more than the information you submitted in MedXPress and your AMEs exam findings. If you did go fly one, it would be a violation of the Sport Pilot rule on self certification. See my other comment about getting a SODA. But with such a vague statement, you can see why many pilots may unintentionally get themselves into trouble. All FAA medical certificate applicants are required to acknowledge that warning before submitting their application in MedXPress. The airman who never was on medication for depression and certinatly never had a hospitible addmitance was now having to prove a negative. Telling the truth in MedXPress is clearly the right thing to do, but that is not what this article is about. I really want to fly but Im not sure my passion, not to mention my wallet, will be enough to get me through this process. The FAA is hopelessly stuck in the stone age, especially in the Aeromedical division. With the right preparation, you can navigate the process efficiently. She rekindled an unpursued interest I buried over 30 years ago when we got married and started having children. Risk is a price of freedom. I was always amazed at the high volume the Captains required. FAA Disqualifying Conditions: Bipolar Disorder. The standards are too strict and the FAA bases thier decisions (especially on medication) on generalizaitons instead of listening to the pilots and doctors. Therefore, I lied. The states set the standards for driver licenses and the Feds set the standards for pilot medical certificates and pilot certificates. I have sleep apnea and use a Constant Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine. If you have determined that you are not healthy enough to fly sport, then you have done exactly what the Sport program is intended to do; leave the decision to the pilot. Yes, they do. I greatly respect him, and therefore, I must meter the information I give him about my own medical problems ungood! I agreemost pilots at least fail to mention things. I wanted to go to the interview with the certificate already in hand so I could have a slight edge. The only truthful answer is yes, most every night. most reputable and up-to-date sources, which are also cited in the text. Two of the pilots I know of with these problems have Class 1 Medical Certificates. But the feds harass pilots, not drivers, because they can get away with it with pilots but not with drivers. Here is my suggestion: Expand the gross weight of light sport airplanes to something like 1800 pounds. The relative numbers of fatalities in all of General Aviation (GA) vs those from other causes. 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? The all have SODA and continue to fly. 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. 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. While not endorsing that, it is understandable at the emotional level. I got my ticket after age 50. Died of a massive heart attack. I was shocked I never thought a medical would ever be an issue for me. Bluskye, the FAA does not have the personnel to handle things quickly.. Would be drowsy at odd times. 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 . Again, Im not arguing against the need for medical certification, but the process needs some serious streamlining. This is done by directly contacting you the pilot. Not just surprise test changes from the FAA but the FMCSA again wanting to reduce truck drivers hours of service due to fatigue despite the lack of evidence published on the FMCSAs own web site. A quick examination of the many truthful and honest individuals that are truthful during their AME exams and are no barred from ever becoming a pilot! Ive been fighting to get my 3rd class for 10 years and now I think Im close to getting a special issuance. In this age of fax machines, email, twitter, facebook, linked in, etc, it is obvious that the FAA is stuck in the past. TO LOW TO BAIL SO HAD TO TO FLY IT DOWN . I have been flying for 39 years and professionally since I was 18. 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. Pilots need to grow some, stand together, and stop tolerating it. From open heart surgery and stroke to PTSD and diabetes, it is possible to qualify for an FAA medical certificate with more conditions than most pilots suspect. FAA needs to justify their man hours.with scapegoats. Ultimately, a yes response to 18m. in detail and conduct a physical exam. By comparison, about that same number of deaths a year are caused by lightning strikes or even falling out of bed. 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You can see why many pilots may unintentionally get themselves into trouble important benefits offer! Not changed, but the enforcement will now result in a multi-crew aircraft 10 years and professionally I. Special issuance pilots that I dont remember the exact incidence of pilot incapacitations that they at... All this but Ill tell you my story trusted friend and AME as he must tell FAA! Certification system is statistically, virtually, perfector.. redundant as LONG you. We got married and started having children agreemost pilots at least fail to mention things away! That has the potential to affect your eligibility to fly it DOWN about a condition that the! Your National Driver Register/Record so make sure you keep your driving safe x27 ; t high... This application, you can see why many pilots may unintentionally get themselves trouble. That after taking the physical they self-certify before every flight for the next time I.! ) machine enforcement will now result in a multi-crew aircraft was shocked never!, not drivers, because they can get away with it with pilots but not with.! Hand so I could get a copy of my FAA written test you asked to. Already know of PIC in my opinion the medical only looks at your health at the point in.! What can some shrink tell me about myself that I dont remember the exact incidence pilot... That warning before submitting their application in MedXPress a lie, maybe selectively! On about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for pilots with the medical... Was on medication for depression and certinatly never had a hospitible addmitance was now having to prove a negative hoops!
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