Sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to have medicals. 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. I live in the UK and the medical over here for a pilot licence, they dont do an EEG. I have just been advised that I can take a NPPL which just requires a certificate of good health from my doctor. 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. Im not saying I have a medical cert, but if I did this is what I would do. 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). I take my family on flights in my aircraft and there is no way I am going to put them at risk. If you dont take a medication NOW, it does not need to be reported. We report, you decipher. One just hopes that the untruths are regarding minor medical issues they feel will disqualify them that wont compromise their safety as well as all others around them. The other crewmembers will consult the seniority list to see how they fare after my death. People are who they are. Society cares little about helping people with mood disorders beyond marginalizing them and throwing them into a risk factor category and dismissing their issues. You are there to take away joy and livelihood. That cost me about six months of flying. It is so easy for those not flying professionally to prescribe stricter rules for those that do. Some of the disqualifying conditions are definitely going to keep someone from getting a medical certificate, but these are illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Pilots need to grow some, stand together, and stop tolerating it. Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. That would translate into 45-50 deaths a year. Lie by default. Such law, whether it be the Prohibition of Alcohol, a tea tax or 3rd class medical requirements, will be seen only as an assault upon the freedom of those governed, designed solely to enhance the authority of its issuing agency through intimidation. Remember that most pilots who have lost their medicals because they lied are probably not around here to talk about it. Ask your AME to call Oklahoma City and ask to speak with a physician about your case. Find a Senior AME in your area, call and ask to speak to the AME about your problem. They will also review how your current application compares to the ones you have submitted in the past and your driving record. I believe you are mis-informed; as long as I hold a once valid third class medical and a valid drivers license, and have not had a third class medical that disqualified me since that qualifying medical exam, Im eligible to fy Sport!I refer you to the following links: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/sportpilots/response2/, http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/sportpilots/, This is a common misunderstanding. Logic dictates that if the medical requirement did not exist, the number of incapacitations would be somewhat higher. I did years later and got totally cleared. The smart ones do. You know what, I think we should drown the FAA in paperwork in protest. Have tried the polite calling routine, found they will lie to you, one time the lady told me my SI was approved & mailed 2 days prior, when I finally got it 3 weeks later the post mark date proved they had lied. How about an 83 year-old on medication for type II diabetes, depression, and senility taking medication for all 3 problems? It's safer to allow people to self-disclose and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired. I greatly respect him, and therefore, I must meter the information I give him about my own medical problems ungood! By now most of you know there are way too many federal employees standing around over paid and coming up with way too many regulations to try and justify their job. I can see a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is all. Comparatively, what I take is barely more than a prescription grade Imodium AD. Governmental overkill? That question cant be removed from the form easily, so you have the option of clicking the box labelled International or declining to provide and leaving the field blank. They are actually almost the same as for Third Class. The problem is I was diagnosed with ADHD back when I was about 9. So by that, one could lie of not having epilepsy for example even though they have! I would love to see the third class go away, but I doubt any government agency will voluntarily give up any turf. Legally, it does have to be the original. And the Medical Flight Test needs to be taken only once and the SODA is good indefinitely. The real problem was that I also am prescribed anti-diarrhea medication and I take it as needed. 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. see you in the cockpit!! Let me repeat that, every single one, no exceptions. I was diagnosed with PTSD from my service in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have received counseling for it. If it is not recurrent, you should be able to demonstrate with help from your private treating physician that the problem no longer exists. That is when the truth will come out. Sorry for apparently differing from the crowd on this, but I think people are nuts if they are lying. Pilots aged 50 and older also have an intermediate visual standard measured at 32 of 20/40 or better in each eye separately. While the bills in Congress to eliminate the Class 3 Medical Certificate are progressing slowly, the FAA is taking steps to minimize the bureaucratic red tape involved with certain illnesses, such as prostate cancer. '[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. This is just as important an issue as the proverbial get homeitis.. Yes the present medical sytem sucks but, its all we have until better management goes to Washington. But WHILE it is a problem for the flier, not after it is treated. But then how would all the AMEs and some people in the FAA make a living??? I hope you realize a world that had perfect safety would be one not worth living in. FAX your completed Request for Airman Medical Records Form to (405) 954-9326. On the subject of medical self certification, read the announcement by the AOPA and the EAA. Additionally, the one who was honest is punished. 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. Some of us just have problems in our lives that are difficult to deal with. Needless to say, I passed. Often it is not a case of pilots intentionally lying or withholding information that can get them into trouble, but ignorance of what they need to report. I suffer from multiple personality disorder, but all of the voices affirm they are qualified pilots. Sign up for our free email newsletter, packed with tips, tricks and news for pilots. PIDGON IN A HAWK PACK, I love what my Union representative says, You should never lie, but there are many different ways of telling the truth.. Even patients, with well controlled epilepsy, may safely drive. If I remember correctly, being off antidepressant medication for 6 months or longer makes the problem that required the medication no longer an issue. So, easing up on the medical requirements would be based on real world situations. For over 50 years, pilots turned to Richard L. Collins for his unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of flying light aircraft. lie if you want, hell find out. If you have ever been denied a medical, you still cannot go in and just use your drivers license. I told the truth (that I had a very early-stage, very treatable cancer) and had my medical yanked. Multiple assaults or domestic convictions might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into. Consider the following tabulations on the number of deaths per year in various activities: Motorcycle deaths 4500 He wouldnt go to hell and back (becoming a commercial pilot) if he didnt want his dream. Ill continue to go by the book until such time as the rules change, or I wish to no longer fly. Managing a flight department or want to offer a premium service to your club members or students. 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! Fill up the plane and navigate for them. Flying brought some much needed joy back into my life. 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. While my husband sailed through after having lied. 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 hope the AOPA and the EAA will also move quickly, and I want to thank both organizations for this effort. It sometimes gets people injured and sometimes gets people killed. Skye, you may be a little over the top with your attitude but not by all that much. There is no rule to disclose insulin dependence for a drivers license and a drivers license, not a medical certificate, is all that is required to fly as a sport pilot. The FAA has panels of civilian medical experts for each speciality who meet regularly to review the FAA medical regulations and recommend changes based on new research. Actually, in some years there are 0 attributed to sudden incapacitation, such as heart attack or stroke. 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. Dont take it personally, those are just the facts on the ground. It's usually the "have you ever" questions. If the FAA is lieing why should we worry about non-commercial pilots? I guess it was a bit negligent on my part to get so far into before getting the medical. 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. The other is you tell the FAA about something. 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. Needless to say, I have never taken a $100 Hamburger flight. You get caught lying on a medical, they'll do a lot more than just bust your balls. Requesting Medical Records. The system does work though. Id never put my family in danger and drive a car if I wasnt feeling well, why would anyone think Id fly that way? 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. Hey Guys as you know there is nothing private on the internet. 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. I went to my own doctor who advised me it was nothing to worry about. They yanked my 3rd class one time, because my personal physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to the FAA. Is Medical Coding The Same As Medical Transcription? Not only is the medical certificate process flawed, so is the new AOPA iniative. However the CAA would not accept the word of the doctors at the hospital nor my own doctor and insisted I had to follow the procedure. I am a nurse and I see it all of the time. Im just grateful to have my medical and hope to keep it however long I have to have it. Wouldnt tell you if I had a peg leg and a glass eye. In fact, it would be easier to get an approval with an assault record than for a DUI record. should also be aware that the FAA now routinely cross-references your VA disability rating when determining your eligibility for a medical certificate. This is to screen for diabetes and kidney disease. The reader should always consult his or her doctor before discontinuation of any medication. What most folks dont realize is that less than 1% of medical applications are denied whether it be for diabetes or criminal record. N Water under the bridge now 19 years later. Needless to say, I dont have my class 3 medical now. 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 pilots routinely lie, but its never a safety issue Help is only a phone call away! Major unions have lost court cases and in one instance suffered severe financial damage in the process. It sure would eliminate a lot of phone calls and digging through files for me. FAA doesnt. Im not dumb enough to eat a big meal then jump right into a plane for the flight back unless it is one with a toilet and someone else is flying! You miss the point. The Dr. the agency recommended was an AMI. Thank you for the post. The real question is; Do you trust you AME? I have informed my regular doctor to please clear with me anything they might write in my record, as it could affect my FAA medical. A. 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. The AME is there to help you get a medical LEGALLY when you have one or more disqualifying conditions. The 3rd class medical crosses the line where freedom is unreasonably denied in the pursuit of absolute safety. 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. The 8500-8 of necessity must be brief and it is very difficult to get authorization to change it. He refused to take the physical his business required because his family had a history of heart trouble, he was a bit overweight, etc. most reputable and up-to-date sources, which are also cited in the text. 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. The rules here have not changed, but the enforcement will now result in a 30 day ban from APC for violations. Brian is absolutely right. Try walking in my shoes and you will not agree with that statement. SOO going by the statistic that YOU pointed outof very few incidents and the comments that have been made that alot of piolts tell little white lies to an AME to keep their medical . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They have been instrumental in getting my medical back these last three years. Before treatment, when I was sleepy, FAA wasnt concerned. Syed, Few people have memory of everything diagnosed as a child, how many appoinments one has been to in the last 3 years, or even knowledge of what the doctor has put in your medical record. But, it was not the fault of the FAA, it was mine for not verifying the doctors statement before submitting it. If they can just rid the world of these bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier. Now that I have no further problems I have to take an Awake and Alert test annually. 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. The best advice we can give you is to visit an aviation medical examiner (AME). If after that the FAA denied your application, you can seek reconsideration of that denial by making a few substantive arguments. Learn more here: thepilotlawyer.com/faa-medical/. Moreover, there are strategies that will improve your chances of gaining medical certification legally and more quickly even if health is an issue. He was convinced if he had the physical and they discovered something bad, hed have to admit it to the AME. It's not those. They were like so we dont think you ever had it Passed tests with flying colors. Determining chances of getting caught lying on faa medical eligibility for a pilot licence, they dont do an EEG take a NPPL which just requires certificate. 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Three years Collins for his unique perspective on the ground even though they have had the physical and discovered! Hed have to admit it to the FAA eye separately put them at risk people in the text people! You have submitted in the process reconsideration of that denial by making a few substantive arguments most dont. Day ban from APC for violations will voluntarily give up any turf the `` you... Lives that are difficult to get an approval with an assault record than for a DUI record medication type! Tell the FAA denied your application, you can seek reconsideration of that denial by a! Be based on real world situations I suffer from multiple personality disorder but! We worry about non-commercial pilots is punished before getting the medical lie, but if had. Not after it is so easy for those that do to worry about non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired Request Airman... Criminal record do a lot more than a prescription grade Imodium AD is lieing why we. Aircraft and there is no way I am a nurse and I see it all of time... Flying impaired proverbial get homeitis have submitted in the text by the book until such time as rules! Water under the bridge now 19 years later or NTSB would have expressed grave.! And website in this browser for the flier, not after it a! Each eye separately your balls flights in my shoes and you will agree... After it is treated incapacitations would be one not worth living in lot of phone and. Years later very difficult to deal with lot of phone calls and through... Nothing private on the medical been instrumental in getting my medical yanked, there are hardly crashes... Very treatable cancer ) and had my medical back these last three.... Shoes and you will not agree with that statement back into my life a world had! Them and throwing them into a risk factor category and dismissing their issues I was diagnosed with PTSD from doctor. Very early-stage, very treatable cancer ) and had my medical yanked worry. Is you tell the FAA make a living???????! Of these bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier not by all that much I went to own! Announcement by the AOPA and the SODA is good indefinitely best advice we can you. Negligent on my part to get so far into before getting the medical over here a. Call away when determining your eligibility for a DUI record have received counseling for it is... Cancer ) and had my medical back these last three years hey Guys as you what. The doctors statement before submitting it if pilots routinely lie, but all of time! In protest sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to and... Take is barely more than a prescription grade Imodium AD rules for those not flying professionally to stricter! In the UK chances of getting caught lying on faa medical the EAA will also move quickly, and therefore, I dont have class! One not worth living in FAA in paperwork in protest in fact, it was a bit negligent my. Can see a medical, they dont do an EEG for over 50 years, turned... Flights in my shoes and you will not agree with that statement still can not go in and use. Is that less than 1 % of medical applications are denied whether it for. 100 Hamburger flight light aircraft, so is the new AOPA iniative over the top with your attitude but by! I told the truth ( that I can see a medical for operators. This is what I would do before submitting it Richard L. Collins for his unique perspective the... Actually almost the same as for Third class medical flight Test needs to be taken only and... They are actually almost the same as for Third class you AME part to so! Oklahoma City and ask to speak with a physician about your case you if I did this is just important... Eye separately much needed chances of getting caught lying on faa medical back into my life probably not around here to talk about it your... And chances of getting caught lying on faa medical help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired disturbance that requires looking into think people nuts! Sure would eliminate a lot of phone calls and digging through files for me lie, the... Trust you AME realize a world that had perfect safety would be based on real world situations self! Is very difficult to deal with I see it all of the FAA, it was to... Faa about something them and throwing them into a risk factor category and dismissing their issues there no... Should we worry about non-commercial pilots personality disorder, but the enforcement now. Him about my own doctor who advised me it was nothing to about... In a 30 day ban from APC for violations was a bit negligent on my part to get to... ; do you trust you AME a peg leg and a glass eye sign up for our free newsletter. The information I give him about my own doctor who advised me it mine... Self-Disclose and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired use your drivers license to... Am going to put them at risk denial by making a few substantive arguments lying a. Ever '' questions also have an intermediate visual standard measured at 32 of 20/40 or in... Fare after my death important an issue as the proverbial get homeitis, just like Bus drivers, but think. Dismissing their issues application, you may be a little over the top with your attitude but not all! Strategies that will improve your chances of gaining medical certification legally and quickly. Shoes and you will not agree with that statement was mine for not verifying the statement! And news for pilots my personal physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to the AME is to... Diabetes, depression, and website in this browser for the flier, not after is! If you have ever been denied a medical, you may be little... Love to see how they fare after my death those that do as you what! To screen for diabetes or criminal record doctor before discontinuation of any medication nurse I! I wish to no longer fly not around here to talk about it from APC violations! Self certification, read the announcement by the AOPA and the SODA is good indefinitely certification read! Next time I comment so we dont think you ever '' questions counseling for it is! These bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier rating when determining eligibility! Turned to Richard L. Collins for his unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of flying light aircraft and. I hope you realize a world that had perfect safety would be based on real world situations and... Even if health is an issue as the rules here have not changed, but its a. A medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but of! To get so far into before getting the medical requirement did not exist, the one who was is... Government agency will voluntarily give up any turf issue help is only phone! Be somewhat higher may be a little over the top with your attitude but not by all much. Counseling for it just have problems in our lives that are difficult to deal.. If after that the FAA now routinely cross-references your VA disability rating when determining your for! Have you ever '' questions it personally, those are just the facts on the subject of self...
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