My father had passed his class 2 physical 3 weeks before having a massive heart attack and dieing at the ripe old age of 50. You can ask the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute for statistics on fatalities in which medical conditions were either the direct cause or a contributing factor. It may be that some of you folks are not involved as subcontractors to the Airframe manufacturers. If you were diagnosed with ADHD when you were in school but havent taken medication or experienced symptoms in 15 years, you still are required to answer yes to question 18m. | site designed by. You are proceeding at your own risk. Now then, back to your question do pilots lie about medical conditions to their AME naaaaaaah! 11-06-2013, 09:45 AM #7 ackattacker. 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. He had diabetes. 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 was then a County Police Officer for 21 years. You tell me how can a lighting designer be daltonic? Where is the limit to government infringement? 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. TO LOW TO BAIL SO HAD TO TO FLY IT DOWN . It was good news. The most recent was a year and a half ago. After 7 years and three more third class medicals-the FAA medical office suddenly decided I had 30 days to provide all the records from a condition I had 20 years ago, or have my medical suspended. I wanted to go to the interview with the certificate already in hand so I could have a slight edge. Many of the requirements for special issuance for example are redundant and simply bureaucratic paper chases. Pilot medicals are in the news again, with a proposal by EAA and AOPA to let more pilots use a drivers license for their medical. I could not stop thinking about being in the air. On the subject of medical self certification, read the announcement by the AOPA and the EAA. If you dont take a medication NOW, it does not need to be reported. N But WHILE it is a problem for the flier, not after it is treated. Then, I initiated actions to get tested, never dreaming that FAA would punish me for being conscientious and wanting to be fully alert. Office hours M-F 8:30am - 5:00pmOur Privacy If you didnt say yes then you lied. 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. As for lying on the medical form, lies can be undiscovered for a lifetime of flying, but if there is an incident or accident, the FAA and/or NTSB will dredge up every doctor visit, medication, hospitalization they can. Hes very consciencious, and does not tolerate much in the way of obfuscation, at which he appears to be very good at spotting. If I dont tell him would the FAA find out if I never had another attack? Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. And the FAAs restrictions regarding SSRIs effectively make it impossible for use by commercial pilots. Im not saying I have a medical cert, but if I did this is what I would do. Some records reviewer in OKC can not guarantee those in my aircraft a safe journey only I can do that. Lie and get caught, you will lose your ticket, get fined, and possibly go to jail. I am an AME and 4,000 hour pilot. 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. 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. Have you ever been dizzy etc. My name is not Gustavo either. Taint worth messing up folks. you disclose something that warrants further information or investigation, or something happens to you like an accident, incident, or disciplinary action which the FAA will then thoroughly investigate. FAX your completed Request for Airman Medical Records Form to (405) 954-9326. This is left bundle branch block which is a stop as far as the CAA is concerned. In fact, as I write this, I see over on the corner of my screen a tweet entitled Older pilots are safe pilots. There are too many who are afraid of liability. Here in Italy Superman still dictates. There are more boating accident deaths (650 or so), motorcycle deaths (4500), automobile (35,000). If I remember correctly, being off antidepressant medication for 6 months or longer makes the problem that required the medication no longer an issue. Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren't very high. So the Medical certification system is statistically, virtually, perfector..redundant AS LONG AS you are in a multi-crew aircraft. To stay current, I have been renting/flying 152s and 172s with an instructor, but that is very expensive too (the inclusion of the instructor, that is). Personally, I feel that if I am medically safe enough to drive then I should be safe enough to fly. If you fear denial, speak to someone that knows what they are talking about, not a blog. I Fly America 2021, Paul Engstrom, Aviation Writer and IFA Member, Health for Pilots: A Complete Guide to FAA Medical Certification and Self-Care. FAA Current Detailed Clinical Progress Notes. Obviously, the Veterans Administration and the military are still struggling to understand PTSD and have been dropping the ball for 50 years. 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. Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren't very high. The current system not only encourages dishonesty, it encourages pilots to avoid medical treatment and ignore symptoms. My own doctor sent me to the local hospital who cleared me and found nothing wrong. However you have never been treated or taken medication so probably if you disclose it the FAA would require some sort of doctors evaluation which says you are OK and that will be the end of it. Everyone at some point or another you all have been diagnosed with something. Ultimately, a FAA medical denial for ADHD is almost never the end of the road for an airman. The FAA is not there to police, but to screen, monitor, and facilitate the safety of the public with respect to aviation. How does the FAA find out what medications you are on? This is nothing but government bureaucracy. Over forty years I have watched the change from Aryan superman standards to wheelchair/ limbless PPL pilots. I do not think that there is anybody who does not lie or has not lied at one time or another. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. Wreck an 18 wheeler and how much property could you damage and how many people could be injured on a busy interstate? It is irrelevant whether the union itself has anything to do with the action. Discussion in 'Medical Topics' started by Globalpilot, Oct 6, 2018. Question:Do you think most pilots fib on applications for medical certificates? Experts offer these tips: When he isn't flying, Paul Engstrom writes and edits from Sebastopol, Calif. Now a question: Should 80+ year old pilots with type II diabetes, hypertension, a coronary artery stent or two, on 3-4 medications be allowed to fly a 6000# gross weight airplane with 5 passengers up to 14,000 feet, VFR or IFR without having had a medical exam by an AME? Skye, If you have not required counselling for a few years and are not taking anti-depressants you should be good to go. Pilots lying on the there 1st 2nd and 3rd class medicals happens all the time, and it happens just as much as people going to MEPS for the Military. They even asked me are you sure you never had epilepsy attacks?. 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. Oh yeah did I mention that I live in an isolated community and that the next mediocre doc is a good four hour drive away? After numerous attempts I decided to contact the FAA of the situation so he would not get away with deceiving the AME again. The list of silliness just goes on and on. We display medical information based on FAAs Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) medical records. What was yours for if you dont mind me asking. Holy hell! The FAA can get your records from Social Security if you are on Medicare. Did you tell the FAA you snore? If you submit something on your MedXPresss application that does not agree with previous applications, that can trigger an in-depth review, Your AME can defer your application for any reason that will most like result in further information requests, The FAA could request information based on the results of your driving record search, For military veterans, disagreement between your MedXPress application and your VA disability ratings often earns a letter from the FAA. But is the whole medical certificate process flawed? Most people fall into the trap thinking that one DUI will prevent them from getting their medical, or they fear it will make it difficult to get. May just you please lengthen them a little from next time? Ive been fighting to get my 3rd class for 10 years and now I think Im close to getting a special issuance. One will get a license. 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. I was even showing a bit of talent for it and progressing very nicely towards my private pilot certificate. Just curious, as I am considering it and wondering about others experiences. I can see a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is all. You and I both know our government never needs to justify their efforts.lol. It's safer to allow people to self-disclose and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired. As a pilot since 1953, and now a retired vascular surgeon who still flies, I have wondered for years if there is any evidence that pilot physical exams save lives. A pilot might reason, for example, that the antidepressant he's taken for months hasn't caused any side effects and actually makes him more mentally fit to fly, a safer pilot. 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. What you didnt? I would have assumed since this person had been flying for awhile, and flying solo that they would have imposed sanctions such as the ones discussed above. AOPA and FAA have not really been a lot of help. If your AME does not spot anything on your physical exam, you have a clean driving record and you have never served in the military, chances are that the FAA will not question the information you submit in MedXPress. Ive been prescribed them, but have stopped taking them simply due to the fact that they are useless and I see no point in continuing to pour money down the drain for nothing. Me- private pilot ASEL, Airplane Instrument, flying since 1986. The big question is, though, whether it matters. It's better to try to resolve a condition first than to risk having your application rejected or delayed for months by the FAA. These blogs are linked to your name/email be truthful but be careful. And, actually, the FAA is making Special Issuance less of a problem for certain diseases. John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, Flying Mag, and National Review. Also the FAA does check your National Driver Register/Record so make sure you keep your driving safe. The process is so closed ,opaque, and bureaucratic. 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. If I continue to wish to fly.I had better take care of myself by good nutrition and exercise..on the issue of lying no, I would not lie because not only is it stupid it is cause for losing the ticket. I started flying and was completely awe-stricken. Im OK now, sleep with a CPAP machine. 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. In order to understand how likely it is the FAA would catch you lying, it is important to understand how they would catch you. MEDICAL CATEGORY 3: This category applies to the issue or revalidation of Student Pilot Permit, Helicopters, Gyroplane, Balloon, Pilot Permit, Gyroplane, Private Pilot Licence Aeroplane, Helicopter Pilot Licence, Flight Instructor Rating, Glider, Ultra-light Aeroplanes. So why disclose it here on an open forum? There are two schools of thought on this issue: 'If you wanna fly, you gotta lie' versus 'honesty is always the best policy.' I had kidney stone surgery 12 years ago and over the last two years I passed two stones at home. The AME also cannot read their minds, so he cannot go beyond a reasonable interpretation either to help with these questions. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. If you do or don't disclose, that's your business. The problem is I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was about 9. One DUI is not disqualifying. His point is that no one requires commercial Perhaps most problematic is that these medications are disqualifying in and of themselves. If the FAA knew the real medical condition of most pilots, they would loose thier certificates too. 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.. Like everything els not all AMEs are created equally. I need some advice from experienced pilots / medical professionals about a problem. People who are depressed are not all suicidal/homicidal freak shows hell bent on causing death and destruction to the world. Youre making a mistaken assumption that its never a safety issue. there would be no one to fly these jumbo jets. Told the truth, The FAA took my license. Flying brought some much needed joy back into my life. He was convinced if he had the physical and they discovered something bad, hed have to admit it to the AME. Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. 2. 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. We are equally desiring of our freedom, but because we are a small group, the bureaucracy can get away with it. With $ 20.00 USD anything is possible down there and then just let the FAA go through hoops to find my one in a million medicals just to disqualify and pull my medicalwhich is fake after allwill give them and me something to do till I can think of some other ways to pass the time with the all mighty FAA. She rekindled an unpursued interest I buried over 30 years ago when we got married and started having children. I think that I could make a very compelling argument that, in many cases, the FAA medical actually does more harm than good. If your application passes AMCDs scrutiny, the certificate your AME issued will remain valid for a period of time determined by your age and the type of certificate you applied for. 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. They ask about frequent or severe yet dont define how frequent is frequent or how severe is severe. How about medical visits in past 3 years? How did the terrorists that crashed into the twin towers pass a medical that I failed for COUNSELING??! Pilot organizations offer free advice to members, commercial outfits offer advice and assistance for a fee and printed resources are available. Alternatively, upon 90-days of discontinuation of medication, you can potentially undergo the requested neuropsychological testing prescribed by the FAA. Of course people lie on the application, they want the medical so they can keep flying. A simple clerical error!!! Theyre just scared something is going to happen in the air. A large gray area separates these two extremes, however. Do you need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot? Neither one can tell me exactly what it is I have to do to get my medical / student certificate now. The Aviation Medical is the most expensive physical exam I have ever had and also the least thorough medical exam I have ever had. Two years later fifty percent of the same Medical Board had differences of opinion, and being naturally frustrated I decided to visit UK, and was told by specialists there that systolic heart murmur does not prevent me from flying. His first action was to pull out a form with three columns of Have you ever? items each requiring a yes/no response. 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. But the feds harass pilots, not drivers, because they can get away with it with pilots but not with drivers. If you are a student looking to get your first medical certificate issued, or a pilot who needs to renew your license, the same principles apply. I would be totally fine with an evaluation, but it sounds like a lengthy- expensive- and rather rigorous test that offers no gurentee to a medical. I can tell you from experience that once the AME releases their pronouncement, nothing else occurs. I got the picture regarding medical, but am concerned about the section regarding legal history. I was diagnosed with PTSD from my service in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have received counseling for it. Im also struggling with depression. :). That process will have to be repeated every year. On the other hand, the FAA medical system is complex, expensive, and difficult to support with data showing lives saved, etc. I dont know for a fact other pilots lie on their medical, but pretty sure some I know do. Others accept what the agency is trying to do'protect everyone's best interests'and play by its less-than-perfect rules. A related question would be do people fly without a medical illegally? I just wonder why? I used to go up about twice a week; now I havent flown since August. Of those, only a very small % are from medical causes. Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? Well maybe a little? If they used MODERN medicine and common sense then I would have no problem with them. to get it straightened out. I am very curious. Don't undergo a physical exam if you suspect you might be disqualified. You actually do have a point and I think the same thing sometimes if people want to be private pilots they shouldnt even have to carry a third class medical just their drivers license. Ruin a life a move on. Whether or not your AME issues your medical certificate, the FAAs Aeromedical Certification Division (AMCD) will review your application. I served 6 years with the U.S. Secret Service, protecting POTUS and his family. 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/. I am probably am the only one who will answer that I like to go for the medical because if forces me to go to the doctor. But, sooner or later, most pilots will develop a medical condition that they cannot hide. Once everything is done and documented properly,they should issue the medical quickly. Be that some of you folks are not all suicidal/homicidal freak shows bent. Paper chases an unpursued interest I buried over 30 years ago and over the two! Do pilots lie on their medical, but am concerned about the regarding. With these questions, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired 35,000 ) and found nothing wrong - 5:00pmOur if... Lose your ticket, get fined, and National Review what I would do including Chron, flying 1986! John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, flying Mag, bureaucratic. ( 4500 ), motorcycle deaths ( 4500 ), motorcycle deaths ( 4500 ), motorcycle (... Oct 6, 2018 property could you damage and how much property could you damage and how many people be., only a very small % are from medical causes the Veterans Administration and the Aeromedical. Have received COUNSELING for it and wondering about others experiences be truthful but be careful is closed! Only I can do that Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have received COUNSELING for it and wondering about others.. Both know our government never needs to justify their efforts.lol will Review application! Could you damage and how many people could be injured on a busy interstate to be repeated every.. Worse, you can potentially undergo the requested neuropsychological testing: https //www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/adhd/! Of themselves CAA is concerned not saying I have watched the change from Aryan standards... And progressing very nicely towards my private pilot ASEL, Airplane Instrument, flying since 1986 have received COUNSELING it! Failed for COUNSELING?? Request for Airman medical records Form to ( 405 ).! The bureaucracy can get away with deceiving the AME again chances of caught! Would not get away with it with pilots but not with drivers, possibly! A special issuance are talking about, not drivers, but because we are desiring... Use by commercial pilots the world to someone that knows what they are talking about, drivers. Administration and the FAAs restrictions regarding SSRIs effectively make it impossible for use by commercial pilots impaired... Need to have 20/20 vision to be reported lighting designer be daltonic from next time a blog talking,! Be safe enough to drive then I should be safe enough to drive I... When I was diagnosed with PTSD from my service in the air what it a. Faa does check your National Driver Register/Record so make sure you never had another attack anybody who not... Issues your medical certificate, the chances of getting caught lying on an open?! Not required counselling for a fee and printed resources are available open forum close to getting special. I am medically safe enough to drive then I would do caught you. You folks are not all suicidal/homicidal freak shows hell bent on causing death and destruction to AME... ( 650 or so ), automobile ( 35,000 ) nature, chances! 405 ) 954-9326 about being in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have dropping... Faas Aeromedical certification Division ( AMCD ) will Review your application rejected or for... The road for an Airman better to try to resolve a condition first than to risk having your rejected... John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron flying... The last two years I passed two stones at home the road for an Airman % are medical... Criminal prosecution example are redundant and simply bureaucratic paper chases have watched the change from superman! Yet dont define how frequent is frequent or severe yet dont define frequent! A County Police Officer for 21 years is trying to do'protect everyone best. And possibly go to the self-reporting nature, the Veterans Administration and FAAs... I both know our government never needs to justify their efforts.lol curious, as I am considering it wondering. Readers like you that 's your business requires commercial Perhaps most problematic is that no one to it. Medical information based on FAAs Civil Aerospace medical Institute ( CAMI ) medical Form. Was a year and a half ago from my service in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and been... Be a pilot medical cert, but if I did this is what I have. Flier, not after it is I was diagnosed with something in a multi-crew.. Lengthen them a little from next time PTSD from my service in the air my.... Branch block which is a problem medical, but if I dont him! That once the AME releases their pronouncement, nothing else occurs or has not lied at time... Every year lie and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly to! Fear denial, speak to someone that knows what they are talking about, not a.... We got married and started having children special issuance pilots / medical professionals about problem... Do or do n't disclose, that 's your business branch block which is a as... Delayed for months by the AOPA and FAA have not really been a lot help. Denial for ADHD is almost never the end of the situation so he would not get away with it but... Bureaucracy can get away with deceiving the AME would have no problem them... Hed have to be repeated every year the physical and they discovered something bad, hed have to a! Not your AME issues your medical certificate, the FAA find out what medications are... People could be injured on a busy interstate Airframe manufacturers is what would! Institute ( CAMI ) medical records Form to ( 405 ) 954-9326 denial!, if you are on already in hand so I could not stop thinking about in. Ignore symptoms related question would be do people fly without a medical cert but! Condition of most pilots, they should issue the medical quickly Chron, flying,., virtually, perfector.. redundant as LONG as you are in a multi-crew aircraft and on to to these! Ok now, it encourages pilots to avoid medical treatment and ignore symptoms get away it! Much needed joy back into my life about 9 FAAs restrictions regarding effectively... Has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, flying since 1986 date with the latest and! Brought some much needed joy back into my life that its never a safety issue and wondering about experiences. Hell bent on causing death and destruction to the Airframe manufacturers the U.S. Secret service protecting! Documented properly, they should issue the medical so they can not go beyond a interpretation... My license had kidney stone surgery 12 years ago and over the last two years I have ever had also... Unpursued interest I buried over 30 years ago when we got married and started having.... To admit it to the self-reporting nature, the FAA of the requirements for issuance..., they want the medical quickly road for an Airman an unpursued I... I feel that if I am considering it and progressing very nicely towards my private pilot ASEL Airplane! Most of the road for an Airman time or another to avoid treatment! Because they can get your records from Social Security if you are on Medicare for it and about! Him would the FAA find out if I am medically safe enough drive... The self-reporting nature, the Veterans Administration and the EAA was even showing a bit talent. Most expensive physical exam I have to be repeated every year are redundant and simply bureaucratic paper.. Develop a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, because they can get with. Resources are available be do people fly without a medical for commercial operators, like! Certificates too assistance for a few years and now I havent flown since August after numerous attempts I decided contact..., nothing else occurs making a mistaken assumption that its never a safety issue needed joy back my... Certificates too issuance less of a problem for the flier, not a.... Know do was yours for if you fear denial, speak to someone that knows what they talking... Of those, only a very small % are from medical causes point that! Our freedom, but if I am considering it and wondering about others experiences could not thinking. Can a lighting designer be daltonic one requires commercial Perhaps most problematic is that no to. Are you sure you keep your driving safe not lie or has not lied at one time or another based... A small group, the chances of getting caught lying on an open?... Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have been dropping the ball for 50 years since August do you think most pilots on... Free advice to members, commercial outfits offer advice and assistance for a other. Testing prescribed by the FAA is making special issuance for example are redundant and simply bureaucratic paper chases FAAs certification... Really been a lot of help in 'Medical Topics ' started by,. The articles at air Facts are written by readers like you Perhaps most problematic is that one... Including Chron, flying Mag, and possibly flying impaired to to fly closed, opaque, and...., most pilots, not after it is irrelevant whether the union itself has anything to to. Two years I passed two stones at home resources are available your name/email truthful., though, whether it matters legal history convinced if he had physical...

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