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? The system is imperfect in many ways and should be fixed, I do not disagree with that. I have patients with heart disease who are able to continue to fly on special issuance. One will get a license. How about medical visits in past 3 years? Meanwhile the FAA now sits on thier collective thumbs deciding what to do. I had a friend that sold very pricey aircraft (demonstration pilot) that was colorblind. This has little or nothing to do with safety, but everything to do with preserving bureaucratic fiefdoms. Good pilots self certify before every flight and wise, old pilots know when its better to stay home. Thank you for the help. It was good news. The FAA processes close to 400,000 flight physicals every year. Information on the certificate will be populated from data that has been entered into the electronic form. I can get it back, but I have to go through a fairly extensive bureaucratic morass to recover it, then jump through extra hoops over the years to keep it. It is against the APC Forum Rules to advocate any labor action which is not authorized by the RLA/NMB. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. Yes, I lie about the counseling part. Is being illiterate a bar to being a pilot conquer? The Aircraft Registration Branch maintains registration records on individual aircraft and serves as a repository for airworthiness documents received from FAA field offices. Now then, back to your question do pilots lie about medical conditions to their AME naaaaaaah! I love flying and if I had to give it up, I know I would feel like part of me, and who I am, has been lost. However, the overriding principle here is that if you intentionally falsify your medical and are discovered, then you are done permanently. The AME might be required to defer your Medical Certificate, but you will be 3-4 months ahead by having the AME submit your medical information along with the 8500-8 rather than waiting for the FAA to ask for the information. I am hoping that they do the right thing when it comes to my health assessment. I'm not offering any advice on what to do. The responsibility for a safe flight in my aircraft is mine not the AMES, and most certainly not the FAAs. Lets analyze how you got to a denial and what can be done to appeal the denial. If your nephew had his medical denied for 10 years, he must have been found to have epilepsy. 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. Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? see you in the cockpit!! You definitely need to be in pretty good shape physically and mentally to be PIC, but I am really discouraged by the heavy-handed, intrusive, and IMHO borderline incompetent way the special issuance process works. When reading many aviation magazines and articles it seems likely that most accidents are a result of lack of proficiency rather than due to medical issues. There are folks flying with diabetes that are on insulin. 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. All medical certificates are valid for 60 months, unless youre 40 or older the day you get it (then its 24 months). '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. This is done by directly contacting you the pilot. People who are depressed are not all suicidal/homicidal freak shows hell bent on causing death and destruction to the world. I do think that the First and Second class medical criteria should be more stringent. Bury the third class in favor of drivers licenses, who cars come with inches of mine, go against lights, etc. I wonder if your AME is really doing everything he can to be your advocate in this situation. NONE . What Are the Chances of and Penalties for Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? LSAs can kill any number in a mid-air and some on the ground as well as a passenger. I know a guy from the US (cant tell his name) that told me that he has lied at least one time, he was overweight and had high blood pressure, he was medicated but he never told that in his annual. It is so easy for those not flying professionally to prescribe stricter rules for those that do. You are better off to work truthfully with your AME. Unfortunately some do lie. Actually, in some years there are 0 attributed to sudden incapacitation, such as heart attack or stroke. George ED King says: She rekindled an unpursued interest I buried over 30 years ago when we got married and started having children. I hadnt had any issues or symptoms for over 10 yrs., doctors Id seen always pronounced me fit & healthy. I have been flying with a special issuance 3rd class physical for 15 years. If you succeed in running that gauntlet, there is something else to consider. 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. They, and AOPA, worked with me to get it corrected. After you complete your MedXPress application, you will need to schedule an FAA flight physical with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). He passed his 3rd class every time. I think its a very poor decision to falsify your medical. The problem is I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was about 9. When that happens, your whole medical history will come under review. 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. Further more, if an airman lies and is in a serious accident with injuries or fatalities, his entire medical history will be examined and subsequent legal action may not be beneficial to his or her heirs. If after that the FAA denied your application, you can seek reconsideration of that denial by making a few substantive arguments. There are heart transplant pilots flying. If you fly only pilot with family and friends, your Medical certification, whether with the AME/FAA or flight-to-flight, is about them. But Jordan also said: 'Folks need not be overly concerned about losing their medical certificate, as we end up disqualifying very few when you look at the total number of applicants.'. I cheeted on a eye test flowen with out a incedent. SO ITS FLY TILL I DIE OR GO TO PRISON. The AME guide expands on that question to unexplained unconsciousness. The AME Guide is available to all pilots on the FAA website. Smaller countries use the FAA regulations for medical certification and, therefore, use the 8500-8 form and have it submitted to the FAA for approval. 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. You are very nave about physicians income from doing FAA medicals. Just do want everyone does to get into the military hide the truth. The only way to get information to them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the past. Generally, first-class is designed for the airline transport pilot; second-class for the commercial pilot; and third-class for the student, recreational and private pilot. 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. An exam for a third class medical certificate with a student pilot certificate can cost between $75 and $150. You do not have to be Richard Collins or Ernest Gann simply a GA pilot with a story youd share with friends sitting in the hangar. Im 64 and working on my PP license. The AME will then be required to report any changes to the FAA, If not, there is no need to report to the FAA. A wise man once said to me that the more you tell them the more you with have to sit through. Until the rules change, abide by them, and make sure you self monitor. He was the author of numerous books, including. Now I am only minutes away from completing my first flight medical form without any worries! Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. He proceeded to read off the list and after a half dozen items to which I responded No, he said You wouldnt tell me if you had any of these, would you? In order to understand how likely it is the FAA would catch you lying, it is important to understand how they would catch you. Too little or false information could park a pilot on the ground'permanently'and lead to fines and jail time if authorities detect a lie or deceit. He then went on to work for the leading aviation magazines, including as editor of both AOPA Pilot and Flying. You get caught lying on a medical, they'll do a lot more than just bust your balls. Auto correct makes illiterates of us all. That cost me about six months of flying. It does nothing to me other than help prevent the gotta go right NOW urges. Would I report this or any depression on the 8500-8? I can tell you from experience that once the AME releases their pronouncement, nothing else occurs. Justify their positions by educating and hammering self certification, not for two or five years, but every flight. 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. I agree that the FAA has an interest in regulating commercial pilots but anyone else should have to produce a drivers license. 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. 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. From the archives: how valuable are check rides? Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. astronaut training. instead of just listening to the engine, watch the instruments that monitored the engine. Once set up by politicians, these agencies rule by fiat, for which there is no recourse. A simple clerical error!!! Should I be worried? While not endorsing that, it is understandable at the emotional level. Local Oklahoma City Area: (405) 954-3261. And maintaining a Commercial Driver License with some illnesses is more difficult than maintaining and FAA Medical Certificate. Bottom line, you are better off disclosing to the FAA if you want a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class medical certificate. We all know that volume of cars on the roads vs. number of planes in the air leads to have to deal with more idiots on the ground. I am a rental pilot as well, and unfortunately, there are no sport rentals available, and they are too expensive to buy. You get caught lying on a medical, they'll do a lot more than just bust your balls. I had a single bypass in 1981 and have been operating on a special issuance since. Bicycle accident deaths 700 Nonetheless, the posts are very short for novices. Find one that will work with you to meet the necessary requirements, but lying is not an option. There are hardly any crashes or incidents related to pilot incapacitation and if there were the FAA or NTSB would have expressed grave concerns. 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! 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. 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. Additionally, I believe this would be a tremendous economic boon for the industry as a whole. Now Ive been unemployed for a couple months and who knows how long before some beaurucrat decides to actually look at my file snd say ok. Ive followed all the steps they dictated,all my tests and results are right on but because they wont simply look and see that Ive followed thrie rules and was honest,Im looking at becoming a burden to the system and living on public assistance until I get my medical back. But, I dont think my level of forthcoming on the application was typical. If you can pass a regular physical, youre probably in good enough shape to fly, physically, anyway. I can empathize with that Louis. Some justify white lies by rationalizing they would just be wasting everyones time and effort by disclosing minor issues. How many of you have had an enforcement action for a medical violation? If you qualify for an FAA medical certificate, they will issue it to you at the end of your appointment, document your exam findings, and transmit your application to the FAA. I flew for 16 years in the Air Force with a known heart murmur that I know would preclude me form a civilian 1st class. Does anyone really believe that this is also not true for pilots and in fact is probably much higher, given the hard working conditions. Its not a profession which that college students wake up and decide they want to fly a plane. Have you ever been dizzy etc. If the FAA wants to do the medical process it should be strictly for airlines or commercial pilots for the first and second class medical. Then, I initiated actions to get tested, never dreaming that FAA would punish me for being conscientious and wanting to be fully alert. '[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. I dont feel it would be correct to try to hide a condition from these people. Thus, agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Federal Bureau of Identification (FBI), for example, will most likely still be able to see your expunged records. Let me repeat that, every single one, no exceptions. There are are more decisions that have to be made while driving than flying. Do you need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot? What makes an airplane as a machine so different. I think that I could make a very compelling argument that, in many cases, the FAA medical actually does more harm than good. No, most pilots have few issues. They even asked me are you sure you never had epilepsy attacks?. You know what, I think we should drown the FAA in paperwork in protest. 2022 MedMG - All Rights Reserved Should I expect the FAA to understand my circumstance if theyre going to pull a pilots ticket for marital counseling? 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. The additional costs associated with FAA medicals will reduce flying time for many of us there goes the proficiencey issue again. It has little to do with Health. Mike F, I agree, Im probably taking the same medication, also works for IBS. 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. I hope the AOPA and the EAA will also move quickly, and I want to thank both organizations for this effort. The AME also cannot read their minds, so he cannot go beyond a reasonable interpretation either to help with these questions. He wouldnt go to hell and back (becoming a commercial pilot) if he didnt want his dream. So at least the medical makes we go for a check up. Sorry, screwing around with Oklahoma City since May 2011 (not 2010). 13. Now, what other activity with a rate of death this low has a major federal bureaucracy policing it? 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. 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. The questionaire is so impossible to answer honestly because it uses the word ever. This is to screen for diabetes and kidney disease. 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. Flying brought some much needed joy back into my life. We have been contacted by major union legal teams regarding this issue. Any deviation from general standards of health found would/should require a more intense examination/(s.). WOW they had a conniption, and I lost my ticket for several months while they dithered. As a result, I had to take an EKG. by Paul Engstrom, Aviation Writer and IFA Member. They defer anyone with a deferrable problem rather than have the pilot provide the necessary data from the treating physician(s) before submitting the 8500-8. See Also: Do Flight Schools Drug Test Students? you say he flys solo whats it to you, Gee I fell out of bead a week ago and wacked my head I wonder if I should tell the FAA. Here is my suggestion: Expand the gross weight of light sport airplanes to something like 1800 pounds. 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! PLEASE HELP The issue is what we feel is important, because the government wants a complete history and providing it isnt possible and pilots are going to make their own judgements about whats truly important to fully disclose. He was flying with ryanair and was due to move to emirates. They are issued by states. Wouldn't it be nice if, when you opened up Med Expres, all the information that you had included in your last application was there for reference. It was less rigorous than a regular over 40 physical, so I took one of those too. I always had to do a stress test, but starting 2 years ago, that has been expanded to require radionuclide scintigraphy every other year. An airline pilot may have 500 passengers aboard while flying under stringent IFR conditions. I can understand, in the last 5 years, but most of my things are now 20 years old and I still have to report them-no change. Its about cooperating with your doc so you can keep doing what you love. Personally, I feel that if I am medically safe enough to drive then I should be safe enough to fly. Someday you might actually have a problem you cannot hide. Managing a flight department or want to offer a premium service to your club members or students. Here in Italy Superman still dictates. For those who fly for a living, YOU are the natural enemy doctor. If I remember correctly, being off antidepressant medication for 6 months or longer makes the problem that required the medication no longer an issue. All other patients was sick, so sick but pilots healthy, so healthy. 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. Ryanair and was due to move to emirates my health assessment find one that will work with you meet... I report this or any depression on the 8500-8 really doing everything he not. Diagnosed with ADHD back when I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was 9... 1800 pounds illiterate a bar to being a pilot bar to being a pilot costs with. You intentionally falsify your medical and are discovered, then you are done permanently to incapacitation. 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