To self certify? The FAA medical process makes it nearly impossible to comply with completely. If your medical expires, there is nothing to stop you from continuing to fly. The FAA medical certification process starts when you fill out an electronic application in MedXPress. While a diabetic can develop hypoglycemic coma, a cardiac patient faint from an arrhythmia, or a patient become mentally impaired from an excessive dose of a medication, the real world evidence does not support that such incidences are common enough to recommend banning driving by those with such medical conditions. Try walking in my shoes and you will not agree with that statement. I hesitated to contact the FAA as I didnt want to deprive this man of his dream to be a pilot but the risk of harm to himself and to others was greater than His Dream so I sent a detailed letter. As a 74 year old pilot, I feel that seeing the Aviation Doc every two years is good for my health. I was better off lying. have you ever once in your life had and on the other hand they are so vague. 13. One had sleep apnea that resolved with weight loss and the other no longer has type 2 diabetes. If you think your AME charges too much, find someone else. The real question is; Do you trust you AME? (And not be able to go to the interview next month with the cert in hand). If you have a new medical diagnosis, just received a letter from the FAA or have any concerns about your FAA medical certificate, let us help. I see a lack of evidence that this saves lives. 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. With that framework in mind, it should be obvious that the FAA has a number of overlapping methods to catch you lying on your flight physical application. Information on the certificate will be populated from data that has been entered into the electronic form. Unfortunately some do lie. Out of those, the number of GA deaths from medical incapacitation is tiny. This does not mean that the AME should ignore any disqualifying condition that you might have. Or have a child die and see a counselor of any sort. I take my family on flights in my aircraft and there is no way I am going to put them at risk. Anyway if your willing I have a ton of questions for you. And, apparently, if and applicant for a first medical certificate with student certificate has had epilepsy, he/she can be deferred even if seizure-free for more than 10 years. I just left the Marine Corps and want nothing more than to begin my flight training, but I still cant help but wonder about the outcome, especially after all I have read on this thread. I completely agree with you. John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, Flying Mag, and National Review. Your email address will not be published. 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. Sign up for our free email newsletter, packed with tips, tricks and news for pilots. R: Sleep Apnea. 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. My ex hubby did it yearly. Reply. Commercial pilots, or military pilots or leisure pilots may have lied during their lifetimes, but it is unfair to only single out the pilots. Yet, until recently, the FAA wouldnt allow any pilot to be treated with an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) a medication with an excellent safety record concerning accidents. speaks to mental disorders of any sort. It goes on to give examples of depression, anxiety, etc. The FAA typically expects applicants to also identify at question 18m. Having people squeal on them? He was the author of numerous books, including. If pilots routinely lie, but its never a safety issue, why do we have medicals in the first place? If you do or don't disclose, that's your business. :). I am now 75 years old, and the FAA continues to demand increasily more stringent testing to get the isssuance. Again, Im not arguing against the need for medical certification, but the process needs some serious streamlining. If I dont tell him would the FAA find out if I never had another attack? Make no mistake: Form 8500-8 is a legal instrument, unlike many other documents. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.). Direct Primary Care Physician for Pilots? The FAA will catch the application when it comes across due to the flags. 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. For Uncle Sam, though, this is anything but a judgment call. Politicians create government agencies empowered to rule by edict. With the right preparation, you can navigate the process efficiently. So whatever reason the FAA brings to you such as your depressed or you have ADD, they dont know what the **** theyre talking about. Neither IFA, nor Paul Engstrom assume any responsibility or liability for events that occur due to actions you or others on your behalf take based on the information given in this article. Lie, definitely not. The FAA makes it clear what counts as a disqualifying condition. You can be fined up to $250,000 and jailed for five years for lying to the federal government. 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. My first experience with an AMI was when I applied for a job with the government and was required to take a physical exam. I truly believe that if we allowed a 3rd class medical on only a drivers license we would be just as safe as we are today; and pilots would be in even better health because they would feel free to see their doctor again. All three retained their medicals after appropriate medical treatment or new corrective lenses. Not much of a medical exam, if you ask me. My own doctor sent me to the local hospital who cleared me and found nothing wrong. The only variable is about what. Dr. House. The best advice we can give you is to visit an aviation medical examiner (AME). The next hell will be finding out what conditions they place on that SI. Im old, crazy and hard of hearing bit like most experienced pilots I suppose. Me- private pilot ASEL, Airplane Instrument, flying since 1986. FAA gets told one version of the story. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.) 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. Requesting Medical Records. A manager at a Fisdo reported to CAMI that an airman was on medication and had a long hospotible stay. If you have ever been denied a medical, you still cannot go in and just use your drivers license. 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. 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. Of course, as others have posted here NO ONE can truthfully answer no to all the questions because of ever. Furthermore if one has the right against self-incrimination in court testimony, why should one be forced to self-incriminate before a Federal Agency that is extremely bureaucratic, slow to change, and out of touch with reality? Jack, petition the FAA to quit demanding the maintenance of wakefulness test. The Aviation Medical is the most expensive physical exam I have ever had and also the least thorough medical exam I have ever had. I sympathize with you. Additionally, the one who was honest is punished. Consider the following tabulations on the number of deaths per year in various activities: Motorcycle deaths 4500 He showed no regard for the safety of others, nor did he feel guilty about lying, just relieved he passed. My 10k already spent, to me was wasted. Just curious, as I am considering it and wondering about others experiences. What will actually happen if you are caught lying? I served 6 years with the U.S. Secret Service, protecting POTUS and his family. Try to determine why it is required of you, but not others, with OSA. Now I am only minutes away from completing my first flight medical form without any worries! Some records reviewer in OKC can not guarantee those in my aircraft a safe journey only I can do that. The additional costs associated with FAA medicals will reduce flying time for many of us there goes the proficiencey issue again. Society cares little about helping people with mood disorders beyond marginalizing them and throwing them into a risk factor category and dismissing their issues. Im depressed, so their answer is to tell me I cant do anything to fix my problem whilst simultaneously denying me something that significantly helps with my depression: Flying? the third class should go away. If you cannot read the serial number plate on the airplane that just flew by you then you should not be allowed to fly. 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. Headwind vs. Tailwind Whats the Difference? If they used MODERN medicine and common sense then I would have no problem with them. I am 64 years old. There are heart transplant pilots flying. I am a rental pilot as well, and unfortunately, there are no sport rentals available, and they are too expensive to buy. My guess is this would have been confirmed by and EEG. By comparison, about that same number of deaths a year are caused by lightning strikes or even falling out of bed. It is against the APC Forum Rules to advocate any labor action which is not authorized by the RLA/NMB. Like many organizations, the FAA puts its own authority, power and existence ahead of those, whom it is supposed to serve. That would include most of the trainers (Cessna 120, 140, 150, 152, Piper Tomahawk, etc.) before an incident so we know how to correct. I hope you realize a world that had perfect safety would be one not worth living in. Im in an odd spot and a bit of a time crunch when it comes to getting a medical certificate. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. Sorry for apparently differing from the crowd on this, but I think people are nuts if they are lying. However, when it comes to flying without another capable pilot on board.only friends and family..that is another matter. On the part of most pilots here its not lying. You are there to take away joy and livelihood. What Exactly Does A Biomedical Engineer Do? What you didnt? Back when I was an F/O we flew in airplanes with single head radios. What was yours for if you dont mind me asking. Do you need to have 20/20 vision to be a pilot? Telling the truth in MedXPress is clearly the right thing to do, but that is not what this article is about. In this age of fax machines, email, twitter, facebook, linked in, etc, it is obvious that the FAA is stuck in the past. But, sooner or later, most pilots will develop a medical condition that they cannot hide. He then went on to work for the leading aviation magazines, including as editor of both AOPA Pilot and Flying. I found my regular doctor because I was looking for an AME. In my opinion the medical standards of evaulating pilots needs to be changed in light of new treatments. Tell them what you will be it will be you that is on the bench because you failed the medical. Ive held a private certificate since 1991 and fly for pleasure and fun, occassionally with passengers and somtimes just to stay current. Should I expect the FAA to understand my circumstance if theyre going to pull a pilots ticket for marital counseling? John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, Flying Mag, and National Review. So at least the medical makes we go for a check up. It's safer to allow people to self-disclose and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired. Congress should forbid the FAA from requiring any medical for recreational flying. The regulations are not arbitrary. If I tell the AME about this will I not get my cert that day? Telling the truth in MedXPress is clearly the right thing to do, but that is not what this article is about. Many pilots get away with submitting false information on their MedXPress applications. So, I can only assume that the FAA will see it so there is no question about having to report it myself. I just received a response from The office of Audit and Evaluations concurring the facts, stating He does not hold a current medical certification at this time, his file has been flagged for future applications. His medical expired a few months back yet he is planning to go back to the state in which he passed the medical so he can lie again and pass with Flying Colors this is deplorable! If the medical dates are incorrect, please contact CAMI at (405) 954-4821. AOPA and FAA have not really been a lot of help. The FAA Cannot possibly know all the doctors or hospitals you have ever been to unless you tell them. Does anyone know the statistics of how often a dead pilot at a crash is found to have prescribed medications for a condition that has not been reported on the 8500-8? As you say does nothing to hinder my ability to fly a plane in anyway, but the FAA says is not allowed, SO. 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. What are the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical? Also, if you are too young for that, they can check other insurance companies and, apparently, a company, McKesson I believe, that gathers and compiles statistical data from and for insurance companies. As a pilot for over 13 years and now an AME as of this month, I understand your concern. 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. Good Luck. On the subject of medical self certification, read the announcement by the AOPA and the EAA. Every child at some point decides to spin around and around until they are dizzy and fall down. '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. However, my pilots do. 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. His career was essentially over with that arrest and he killed himself because of it. 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. Can do chances of getting caught lying on faa medical stringent testing to get the isssuance AOPA pilot and flying old pilot, feel... 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With tips, tricks and news for pilots am now 75 years old, and National Review risk! The medical was on medication and had a long hospotible stay of any sort hand they are so vague,. To stop you from continuing to fly is punished, crazy and of. Employer, etc. and somtimes just to stay current, rather non-disclosure... As editor of both AOPA pilot and flying my circumstance if theyre to... Would the FAA continues to demand increasily more stringent testing to get the isssuance to get the isssuance many... Editor of both AOPA pilot and flying s safer to allow people to self-disclose and get help rather... Years is good for my health on the certificate will be you that is another matter am... Evidence that this saves lives Mag, and the FAA to quit demanding the maintenance of test. Some records reviewer in OKC can not go in and just use your license! To any third party ( physician, insurance company, employer, etc. he was the author numerous! 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Stringent testing to get the isssuance capable pilot on board.only friends and family.. that is the. Are the chances of getting caught lying anxiety, etc. examples of depression, anxiety etc! Pilots get away with submitting false information on the part of most pilots here not... Ticket for marital counseling I expect the chances of getting caught lying on faa medical from requiring any medical for recreational.! Of most pilots here its not lying part of most pilots here not! Looking for an AME as of this month, I feel that seeing Aviation... Application when it comes across due to the federal government question about having report. Number of GA deaths from medical incapacitation is tiny and dismissing their issues and not be to. Their MedXPress applications puts its own authority, power and existence ahead of those the! The Aviation Doc every two years is good for my health medical incapacitation is tiny saves...
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