I lost my younger years flying and now the hoopes I have to jump through is unbeleveable.I really love flying but the government can take the privelage away its not right. John has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Chron, Flying Mag, and National Review. When I joined the military, it popped up at MEPs and I had to complete a waiver but I was allowed to go to boot camp. I know of several. So if there is cause, e.g a call to the FAA's hotline, an investigation will occur, and these will be seen and rather quickly. You want to be an ATP, you have two pilots. However, a few years later when I needed to take a 2nd class physical, I could not pass because of the hearing problem and the AMI made an appointment for me with the FAAs regional medical representative. Because you were probably the kid who sat at the front of the classroom and said yes teacher whatever you want teacher. At least three questions on the FAA medical application (Form 8500-8) can identify to the FAA that an individual potentially has a history of ADHD. Im just grateful to have my medical and hope to keep it however long I have to have it. Are you serious? Glider pilots, balloon pilots, and lately sport pilots have proven statistically that there is no reason to have the third class medical at all. And yet still I do not feel I can speak freely to them. The flight will continue without further incident. Avoid Medical Certification Delay. No mercy from the FAA and I was not even allowed to go to a hearing I just got the notice of revocation one day and that was it. From the archives: how valuable are check rides? Manage it and you will not have to lie to the FAA, or your AME, or your PCP. Of what I can, yeah, that was my "digging thru files" reference, but why isn't there a copy of your last application right there when you log on? Probably, we certainly arent as full of ourselves as I was when I was a young man. Take two people, with same medical condition, one who has been denied previously and the other who has not. Unfortunatley I have seen too many accident reports where the pilot was on prescription medications (found during the toxicological examination)many of them disqulifying, and none of them were reported on the medical application. I dont remember the exact incidence of pilot incapacitations that they quote at the AME seminars, but it is extremely low. Your email address will not be published. The big question is, though, whether it matters. In the FAA world view you are not telling the truth. In everyones childhood years a lot of people are diagnosed with child Asthma so come on people who is the one really lying here YOU ARE. Have you asked AOPA to assist you with getting your medical back? Parasailing. Compared to all causes of death, these are infinitesimal numbers. Furthermore, any standard of medical concern for pilots is lost because it allows the FAA to turn a blind eye to a medical condition. I had kidney stone surgery 12 years ago and over the last two years I passed two stones at home. Be careful that if you have seen your doctor and are responding yes to question 19 and your doctor diagnosed you with ADHD (or suggested that you had ADHD), you will also likely need to respond yes to question 18m. Special Issuance medical exams can cost more. I can meet Class 1 if I fib. Thank you for allowing me to share. The AME certified you as ok to fly, now the feds second guess him. Good Luck. You can be fined up to $250,000 and jailed for five years for lying to the federal government. Most those fellas at the FAA seem pretty smart, but they must be pretty spineless too. Some other government agency gets told another. With the right preparation, you can navigate the process efficiently. The only way to get information to them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the past. But a private pilot should be able to fly his Cessna on a weekend without the 3rd class physical. Lie, definitely not. I tried talking to him about the serious consequences of lying, and every time he goes flying he is putting everyone at risk, but he didnt care. However, my pilots do. 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. I have been flying for 39 years and professionally since I was 18. I fly a Cirrus, my wife knows how to pull the parachute. before an incident so we know how to correct. Gets Weekends Off . In my case I have never lied, but if Im at risk of loosing my license for a medical condition that is under control I might do that also. If you do or don't disclose, that's your business. If you have more than two DUIs you are disqualified for good unless you can get the FAA to budge which is rare I have known people who have had this happen to them. Brian, you are right on about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for pilots with the FAA medical people. Question 19 speaks to visits to healthcare professionals within the last 3 years. If on this question, an applicant identifies that he or she has been to see his or her doctor for treatment of ADHD, this will likely warrant deferral. This is one of those typical government deny-theres-a-problem attitudes that eventually comes to a head when something major and catastrophic happens. Because of that, it is very easy to get away with lying on your medical certificate application. He knew it. Is the medical for safety or for what other purpose? Simple you dont need to know and if you are scared to apply for you medical because your feared in getting caught. Willy post had only one eye should he have been grounded.??? I was better off lying. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.) Please type or print legibly and remember to sign and date the request. Ultimately, a FAA medical denial for ADHD is almost never the end of the road for an airman. Bury the third class in favor of drivers licenses, who cars come with inches of mine, go against lights, etc. Consider the following tabulations on the number of deaths per year in various activities: Motorcycle deaths 4500 It's safer to allow people to self-disclose and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired. Throwaway account for obvious reasons. 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. 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. there would be no one to fly these jumbo jets. PER your admission the need for a medical is a mute issue I drive there for I fly. The additional costs associated with FAA medicals will reduce flying time for many of us there goes the proficiencey issue again. What makes an airplane as a machine so different. Now do you AMEs see how ridiculousness the form is? That would include most of the trainers (Cessna 120, 140, 150, 152, Piper Tomahawk, etc.) If you had physician visits since your last FAA medical and a chronic illness was found that might, in the FAAs terminology, be disqualifying, ask your AME when you call to make the appointment if you need to provide some information from your treating physician. Skye, you may be a little over the top with your attitude but not by all that much. While my husband sailed through after having lied. So do we really want 10+% of our commercial pilots to be flying with untreated major depressive disorders? Do you need a medical to operate a large motor home, car, boat, sand dune buggy, tractor, motorcycle, etc, etc. 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. 3. 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 always amazed at the high volume the Captains required. Theyll wait until a couple of major airline pilots go postal or have a seizure over the threshold and get the front page bold type, then overreact totally inappropriately, and far too late. People Lie to do what they love to do. Irs Data Book, 2020. chances of getting caught lying on faa medical one of the medications used treat! 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. Each time the Dr. hit the switch, my friend kicked me under the table and I could respond that I had heard the tone in the headset as required. It came to a point that he was landing one night at a major airport, and on descent he realized that he couldnt see the runway. 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? He had me sit where I could not see him so that I could not tell when he hit the switch that turned on the tone I was required to listen for. I lost some respect for FAA there. The information provided on this website is not intended to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical advice. Responding to a letter from the FAA about your medical certificate almost always requires you to provide detailed notes from your treating physician(s) and other objective evidence to show you are safe to fly. Beyond criminal penalties and keeping your pilots license, there are many other reasons to be forthright with your FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), but for now just as a thought experiment consider that you choose to falsify your medical certificate application. If you cannot read the serial number plate on the airplane that just flew by you then you should not be allowed to fly. The bottom line is,if you cant be truthfull to yourself,you cant be truthfull at all. Pilots aged 50 and older also have an intermediate visual standard measured at 32 of 20/40 or better in each eye separately. One DUI is not disqualifying. I Fly America 2021, Paul Engstrom, Aviation Writer and IFA Member, Health for Pilots: A Complete Guide to FAA Medical Certification and Self-Care. Requesting Medical Records. I was so desperate to lower the volume that I installed a volume control in my own headset so I would not be blasted out of my seat. 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. 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. Many pilots get away with submitting false information on their MedXPress applications. But, it was not the fault of the FAA, it was mine for not verifying the doctors statement before submitting it. I started flying and was completely awe-stricken. Yea if you got deep pockets to afford the tests you Probably dont need. However, if you do get caught, at best you will lose your license. | site designed by. I am 64 years old. I'm a pilot, and an air traffic controller. It was less rigorous than a regular over 40 physical, so I took one of those too. The best advice we can give you is to visit an aviation medical examiner (AME). Would the FAA prefer people to auger in because they are depressed rather than get a medication. 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. I wonder if your AME is really doing everything he can to be your advocate in this situation. Gradually, our freedoms are being taken away by government regulatory entities. You are assumed to be lying. Now, what other activity with a rate of death this low has a major federal bureaucracy policing it? Here in Italy Superman still dictates. Until the rules change, abide by them, and make sure you self monitor. You are proceeding at your own risk. From the details they ask about, you would think you were applying to be an astronaut. Headwind vs. Tailwind Whats the Difference? FAA gets told one version of the story. Pilots most likely have wanted too fly since they were kids. They, and AOPA, worked with me to get it corrected. RE: Wiley Post. That is when the truth will come out. Sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to have medicals. It doesnt seem to exhibit much intelligence to uselessly act excited after the fact instead of before. Deaply sorry it was a dumb statement. What to do? But, it was not the fault of the FAA, it was mine for not verifying the doctors statement before submitting it. Both asked for, and received, removal of their Special Issuance. have you ever once in your life had and on the other hand they are so vague. 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. I dont feel it would be correct to try to hide a condition from these people. The FAA medical certification process has at times made me feel that I was in actual hell. Driving While Impaired (DWI) from alcohol, drugs, texting and exhaustion is obviously a serious problem and every driver self certifies, there is no evidence in the National Traffic Safety Data Base, that accidents caused by preexisting health conditions and the medications used for their treatment, is a major problem. Counseling, HTN, whatever. Skye, If you have not required counselling for a few years and are not taking anti-depressants you should be good to go. It is against the APC Forum Rules to advocate any labor action which is not authorized by the RLA/NMB. 2022 MedMG - All Rights Reserved Aviation medicals protect your lifeand a periodic physical is smart. Period. Obviously, many do. The FAA Cannot possibly know all the doctors or hospitals you have ever been to unless you tell them. Would be drowsy at odd times. The whole thing is about safety but the FAA has never proven the need for the medicals, especially the third class, it was just randomly instituted one day a long time ago. It is possible that the Emirates authorities will check to see if he can make an attempt at a complete sentence with capitalization and punctuation. But the standards are not different. Flying is no more dangerous than driving when properly trained. Don't undergo a physical exam if you suspect you might be disqualified. They may only get 3rd class, but they are flying with strict guidelines on preflight accu check, inflight accu check, etc. I hadnt had any issues or symptoms for over 10 yrs., doctors Id seen always pronounced me fit & healthy. Certification of employees to preform tasks, medical and eye examinations are normal in the Aerospace industry. There are folks flying with diabetes that are on insulin. I have to say, this doc was thorough, checked everything, but, when he saw that attachment with all that exposure, he looked at me in a way like what is all this. In example, if you have depression, they dont want to risk the possibility of the pilot (with depression) crashing the aircraft, when in fact flying is the only thing the pilot probably cares about. It has caused unnecessary pain and inhibits its mission to promote aviation. However, if you do get caught, at best you will lose your license. N Pilots also fly without annual inspections, insurance and they might even go flying without getting a briefing first. In reality, all pilots (no matter what their license) self-certify their fitness to fly every time they fly. I read a lot of threads on here about how pilot are getting caught lying on their medical applications. I was an investigator for the CIA from 2001-2006 and armed security for CIA facilities for 4 years after that. Lie by default. Ive held a private certificate since 1991 and fly for pleasure and fun, occassionally with passengers and somtimes just to stay current. What Are the Chances of Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? If they say that you have a condition that requires you to be grounded, then fill out an 8500-8 medical form. On checking this I was advised the costs would be in the region of 600+. 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. Since I asked to have myself tested for apnea, and found it was a problem, and now use a Constant Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine, FAA dogs me annually. 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. Insurance companies now have a way out of paying the claim and if there were passengers or other property damage involved now lawyers get involvedsomething to think about! '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. The 1320 pound (600 Kg) limit is based on the European standard, I think. WOW they had a conniption, and I lost my ticket for several months while they dithered. Medicine is too concerned with dealing with mental health like a physical disease now you have it and POOF now you dont. I WAS A BIRD DOG PILOT IN VIETNAM FOR 3+ YEARS WHEN I WAS SENT TO THE DECK BY SMALL ARMS FIRE. Im sorry to hear that. My problem is with it taking MONTHS of run around after the issue is handled to the FAAs satisfaction per the conditions they themselves tell us we need to meet. There are more boating accident deaths (650 or so), motorcycle deaths (4500), automobile (35,000). I go to sleep. Another friend had accompanied me to this testing and he sat across the table from me so that he could see the doctors actions. 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. George ED King says: Yes the present medical sytem sucks but, its all we have until better management goes to Washington. Anyone could take the drug and get behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, a Cat D-11, a speedboat, you get the idea. I have been asymptomatic for all of those years and I am on no medication. I have spent the last 2 weeks working with 3 pilots with Class 2 medicals helping them to meet vision standards. I think a regular physical should be required, but the special AME physical in all reality boils down to a tax disguised as safety concern. 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 am going to start a letter campaign to ask the people who can make this happen (our elected officials), to get behind it and make it happen quickly. 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. I told the truth (that I had a very early-stage, very treatable cancer) and had my medical yanked. With over 20,000 hours of real world experience, much of it in Cessna 172s and P210s, Collins wrote about safety, weather and air traffic control from first-hand experience. Many pilots have waited months or years for their medical certificates because each new record they provide to justify their medical certificate eligibility reveals another ailment they did not disclose before. 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. I had a single bypass in 1981 and have been operating on a special issuance since. 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