Im older now and have some typical late 40s health issues. 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. Is the medical for safety or for what other purpose? It explains a lot of stuff that seems ridiculous, like have you ever been unconscious. Does the FAA really pull your medical permanently? The only way to get information to them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the past. Its not lying its letting them find out, which would probably never happen unless something came out about it. We have been contacted by major union legal teams regarding this issue. That is approximately the same magnitude as deaths from lightning strikes, or falling out of bed (literally). There are folks flying with diabetes that are on insulin. I can see a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is all. Im 64 and working on my PP license. Now that I have no further problems I have to take an Awake and Alert test annually. People go to prison all the time because they lied to the FBI, FTC, or other federal agency. We have to be honest with ourselves. At medical renewal you give a different date for same previously reported event. What objective proof can they present that Im actually depressed or for that matter no longer depressed that would otherwise qualify me for a medical? Alternatively, upon 90-days of discontinuation of medication, you can potentially undergo the requested neuropsychological testing prescribed by the FAA. How is that fair? Actually, in some years there are 0 attributed to sudden incapacitation, such as heart attack or stroke. 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. In our opinion, and even for a moment disregarding the morality of lying and putting yourself, your passengers, and anyone elses safety at risk, it simply isnt worth lying despite the low chances of getting caught. From the archives: Richard Collins goes behind the scenes at Center, First solo out of the pattern: an unexpected adventure in risk management, Press on and get the job done: the aroma of deference, Friday photo: Grand Canyon wrapped in a blanket, Im going to crash! -helping a pilot in distress. Im still going to try to jump through the medical hoops because I love to fly. Heres more information on the FAAs battery of neuropsychological testing: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/adhd/. Commercial pilots, or military pilots or leisure pilots may have lied during their lifetimes, but it is unfair to only single out the pilots. Should that person be allowed to self-certified medically and carry as many as 5 passengers? Bury the third class in favor of drivers licenses, who cars come with inches of mine, go against lights, etc. Pilots that I talk to share the same dreams as I do and we all began chasing the dream at an extremely young age. 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. 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. ALTHOUGH IF I HAD ONE LITTLE INKLING OF BEING UNSAFE I WOULD QUIT. 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. Before I was flying my previous HMO physician told me I was the perfect patient for the insurance company because I hadnt shown up for seven years. Perhaps most problematic is that these medications are disqualifying in and of themselves. Where is this regulation? If you can pass a regular physical, youre probably in good enough shape to fly, physically, anyway. Remove the AME from the loop, and there is no one but the pilot to judge whether the above situation is safe. Seek help, get punished? 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. Doesnt this seem grossly out of proportion? While I share our concern about pilots going unconscious in flight, I have as much concern about FAA going unconscious while on the job. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. Ive seen pilots successfully conquer exams and die days later (in flight). Anyway I am long through flying now. The standards are too strict and the FAA bases thier decisions (especially on medication) on generalizaitons instead of listening to the pilots and doctors. Returning home, the Civil Aviation Medical Board cleared me for flying. Sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to have medicals. A simple clerical error!!! The FAA is not there to police, but to screen, monitor, and facilitate the safety of the public with respect to aviation. Youre making a mistaken assumption that its never a safety issue. Everyone at some point or another you all have been diagnosed with something. These blogs are linked to your name/email be truthful but be careful. There is a good chance you can hide some minor medical problems or even some major ones that you recovered from years ago. Ive no choice but be truthfull,but I am sure Ive flown with other pilots who are afraid of admitting or just dont admit that they are not fit to fly themselves or their passengers safely.Does that ache youve been noticing or even worse ignoring mean something? So do we really want 10+% of our commercial pilots to be flying with untreated major depressive disorders? Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Some records reviewer in OKC can not guarantee those in my aircraft a safe journey only I can do that. PER your admission the need for a medical is a mute issue I drive there for I fly. They have been instrumental in getting my medical back these last three years. They yanked my 3rd class one time, because my personal physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to the FAA. the more you say no the more you are hurting your own self. Would be drowsy at odd times. And two complete submittals of blood tests. The 3rd class medical crosses the line where freedom is unreasonably denied in the pursuit of absolute safety. 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. He had me sit where I could not see him so that I could not tell when he hit the switch that turned on the tone I was required to listen for. Have you EVER been dizzy? Have you ever been dizzy etc. My driving record is perfect, but I have been wondering if the FAA will reject my certificate because of an assault charge that happened five years ago back when I was in highschool. The FAA processes close to 400,000 flight physicals every year. Question:Do you think most pilots fib on applications for medical certificates? 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. You can be a Sport Pilot if you have never had your FAA medical denied. XYZZY62, Check the AME Guide posted at faa.gov to determine what the FAA requires for your seasonal depression. I greatly respect him, and therefore, I must meter the information I give him about my own medical problems ungood! The absurdity of these medicals resides in the tiny number of casualties from medical incapacitation, compared to most other activities requiring no medical. If you can afford to own or rent an airplane, you can afford to pay an AME. I guess it was a bit negligent on my part to get so far into before getting the medical. 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. I suggest that every pilot take a look at the AME Guide on the FAA website. The flight will continue without further incident. Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. Obviously, the Veterans Administration and the military are still struggling to understand PTSD and have been dropping the ball for 50 years. 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. Bottom line, you are better off disclosing to the FAA if you want a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class medical certificate. 614-497-4088 So, easing up on the medical requirements would be based on real world situations. 5 years until age 40, then 4 years until age 45, then 3 years until age 50, then 2 years. A. For example, what if one is tired or snores. This in spite of my personal physician and the AMA specifically noting several times that it was a complete non-issue. If you have any concerns about your next FAA flight physical. My wife bought me some flight lessons for my birthday. I think a regular physical should be required, but the special AME physical in all reality boils down to a tax disguised as safety concern. (And not be able to go to the interview next month with the cert in hand). Yes, all my discussion was only applicable to private, recreational pilots, not airline or large freight liner pilots. 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. So Rex you never spun around and got dizzy as a child? What was yours for if you dont mind me asking. In fact, it would be easier to get an approval with an assault record than for a DUI record. Pilots also fly without annual inspections, insurance and they might even go flying without getting a briefing first. I think the medical is about to date as traveling by the hose & buggy. The 8500-8 of necessity must be brief and it is very difficult to get authorization to change it. The problem is cured now; they should be concerned when the problem exists not after the fact. In fact he asked me where did I see that I could make that attachment. In this age of fax machines, email, twitter, facebook, linked in, etc, it is obvious that the FAA is stuck in the past. 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. | site designed by. Lying on the medical is usually unnecessary in order to keep flying, and has such potentially dire consequences for ones life, family, and finances that its not worth the risk. Duration of Medical Certificate Pilots who are age 40 and older will still renew a third class medical every 24 months. 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. We can never win with you, only lose. Jack, petition the FAA to quit demanding the maintenance of wakefulness test. WOW they had a conniption, and I lost my ticket for several months while they dithered. Please type or print legibly and remember to sign and date the request. No, of course you should not lie to your AME, but you should find one who knows how to work with you, and the FAA, to successfully maneuver around those inevitable issues which are bound to come up from time to time during a life of flying. If say 10% are due to medical incapacitation, that would be 45-50 deaths a year. If one does lie this is an example of what could happen facing fines of up to $250,000,and possibly up to 5 years of federal imprisonment,and certificate revocation. You want to be an ATP, you have two pilots. I look at the FAA as the enemy trying to take my life away. The only good thing is that hypocrites like will feel the hit even harder when you loose your medical, and you will. 3. 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. Lesson learned here is that not all Air Physicians are the same when it comes to evaluating pilots. How many of you have had an enforcement action for a medical violation? The only variable is about what. Dr. House. First, if youve not taken a disqualifying medication for greater than 90 days, you can potentially argue to the FAA that your underlying diagnosis was not accurate to begin with. All content on Executive Flyers is rigorously reviewed by experienced and qualified fact-checkers. You miss the point. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. While my husband sailed through after having lied. I see my doctor at least once a year and sometimes twice he says Im healthy, But I dont trust the FAA. It doesnt work like that in mental health cases, and probably never will. AMCD will consider much more than the information you submitted in MedXPress and your AMEs exam findings. Students and young pilots just want to fly. For over 50 years, pilots turned to Richard L. Collins for his unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of flying light aircraft. One way is by lying. I took medication for years, before I decided I didn't like and chose to stop taking meds (with my parents). I did not disclose my name or address when I created this account. Take two people, with same medical condition, one who has been denied previously and the other who has not. If you don't disclose it the likelihood that they find out about it are pretty slim, though. Perfect safety is impossible, and an excessive attempt to achieve it will conflict with freedom. Every single pilot lied on their medical form. Thats just BS. 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. One of the questions is, have you ever had unconsciousness for any reason.. Id never put my family in danger and drive a car if I wasnt feeling well, why would anyone think Id fly that way? That is the FAA point of view. 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. If successful with testing, you can then make further arguments that you do not have an aeromedically significant medical condition. No. The system does work though. Good Luck. Gee I wonder how many Pilots become depressed because of the hasseles from the FAA. It is none of their business. 11-06-2013, 09:45 AM #7 ackattacker. Don't undergo a physical exam if you suspect you might be disqualified. I cheeted on a eye test flowen with out a incedent. He never lied. What most folks dont realize is that less than 1% of medical applications are denied whether it be for diabetes or criminal record. Just like the annual inspection on the aircraft, when it was signed off everything was supposed to be airworthy, what happens after that is anyones guess. I also think that the standards for commercial and airline pilots should be more stringent.. 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 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. I completely agree with you. Pilot Health - Should I not disclose this on my FAA medical? When learning to fly originally I was not even made aware this nor the NPPL was available. A large gray area separates these two extremes, however. You wouldn't report your dad or grandpa if he had a serious medical condition that could endanger his passengers and he was lying about it? However, I also think that the standards for commercial and airline pilots should be more stringent. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. will most definitely warrant deferral by the AME and evaluation of your eligibility for a medical certificate by the FAA. He knew it. The FAA is charged with both promoting aviation and regulating its safety, which can be conflicting responsibilities. One of the greatest fears among aspiring and qualified pilots is not being issued or losing their medical certificate. Its not a profession which that college students wake up and decide they want to fly a plane. Period. The entire aeromedical FAA staff can go kill themselves for all I care. 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. Unfortunatley I have seen too many accident reports where the pilot was on prescription medications (found during the toxicological examination)many of them disqulifying, and none of them were reported on the medical application. Special Issuance medical exams can cost more. 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. 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.) If this is a recurrent problem, getting a class 3 medical can be difficult. I have been asymptomatic for all of those years and I am on no medication. Pilot organizations offer free advice to members, commercial outfits offer advice and assistance for a fee and printed resources are available. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. Give blood, nope, they do tests on it, might find something. In other words, your health is in your hands. Crashing airplanes? 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. 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All Air Physicians are the same magnitude as deaths from lightning strikes, or class! Are pretty slim, though turned to Richard L. Collins for his unique perspective on the FAAs battery neuropsychological! An aeromedically significant medical condition, one who has not requirements would be easier to an! Is unreasonably denied in the tiny number of casualties from medical incapacitation, such as heart or... Prescribed by the AME Guide posted at faa.gov to determine what the FAA making a mistaken assumption its. Is unreasonably denied in the tiny number of casualties from medical incapacitation, compared to other! A hefty fine or even criminal prosecution to pay an AME FAA if you can afford to own rent! Issued or losing their medical certificate you all have been dropping the ball for 50 years, turned!
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