I hope you realize a world that had perfect safety would be one not worth living in. It is probably one of the most important benefits they offer their members. A good AME will tell you how to jump through the hoops so that when you go for your FAA medical certificate, you have all the data needed for the FAA. Thus by forcing pilots to avoid medical treatment, in order to protect their medical certificate, the FAA actually promotes ill health and thus diminishes safety. The AME will then be required to report any changes to the FAA, If not, there is no need to report to the FAA. I am not an AME but am a flying physician with long experience chairing and serving on the EAA Aeromedical Council. If you dont take a medication NOW, it does not need to be reported. Any law or rule, which is widely viewed by those subject to its enforcement as being unfair, unjust, capricious and arbitrary, because it has no basis in fact, will be disrespected and thus unenforceable. What Are the Chances of and Penalties for Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? If they find any issues, they will ask for more information. Please remember, he has a liability also. Accident investigators at every crash look for signs of incapacitation and collect items such as medication containers to try to determine if a medical reason caused the crash. For airmen, this, like so many other aspects of aviation, is a judgment call'but one that also gets tangled up in personal ethics. There shouldnt be different standards for flying than are for driving. No, I have never lied on the medical application because I understood the ramifications in the event of an accident. Case in point: A student pilot I was familiar with crashed his aircraft into the runway and killed himself after being arrested for drunk-driving the previous night. If you have vision with only one eye, you can get a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) by taking a Medical Flight Test. instead of just listening to the engine, watch the instruments that monitored the engine. My AME is my regular Doctor. I Fly America The system does work though. 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. The reader should always consult his or her doctor before discontinuation of any medication. I got the picture regarding medical, but am concerned about the section regarding legal history. As the FAA put it, a pilot must ground themselves if they are unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate.. Always wondered if the stress from taking the medical had anything to do with it. Holy hell! While I dont think most will lie on their medicals, I feel that some will if they have an issue and are in fear of losing their certificate(s). This is one of those typical government deny-theres-a-problem attitudes that eventually comes to a head when something major and catastrophic happens. My driving record is perfect, but I have been wondering if the FAA will reject my certificate because of an assault charge that happened five years ago back when I was in highschool. Others have their dreams dashed who lived years longer flying ultralights. 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. 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. Try to determine why it is required of you, but not others, with OSA. This is just as important an issue as the proverbial get homeitis.. With the impact these regulations and half-baked ideas have on our lives, economy, and national security in general it is time that federal employees comply with all the regulations the citizens that they regulate have to. At a minimum, the liar can lose flight provileges for good. If you did go fly one, it would be a violation of the Sport Pilot rule on self certification. I forgot to mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea. If it makes you feel any better, the doctors office transposed two numbers in the date of the exam. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); All information found on medmg.org is intended for informational and educational purposes only. I guess it was a bit negligent on my part to get so far into before getting the medical. 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. I go to sleep. There are also considerations for appeal to the National Transportation Safety Board, but this option will be also be dependent on discontinuation of the disqualifying medication and your ability to develop an argument that the underlying diagnosis was not accurate. 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. I am working on my private pilot license and I was honest and admitted to an episode of seasonal depression treated with medication (which I no longer require or take). So, the medical certification process has greatly reduced my joy. Now I am only minutes away from completing my first flight medical form without any worries! They were like so we dont think you ever had it Passed tests with flying colors. Regardless of whether they lie or not, the system seems to be working there seem to be very few (if any) crashes or incidents related to pilot incapacitation that they FAA/NTSB can point to a problem that should have come in a medical. 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. How long is a 2nd class medical good for over 40? The FAA is charged with both promoting aviation and regulating its safety, which can be conflicting responsibilities. The FAA Medical requirements need revision and made more rational instead of simply being a procedural nightmare for pilots. The problem with the medical certification process is that on the one hand the questions are so stringent i.e. Pilots aged 50 and older also have an intermediate visual standard measured at 32 of 20/40 or better in each eye separately. Also, I had had an episode 12 years ago (you know the thing, have you ever in your life. that I listed on that attachment and it hasnt been an issue since. Aviation medicals protect your lifeand a periodic physical is smart. We have an entrenched bureaucracy that refuses to relinquish power and money. In other words, your health is in your hands. He knew it. Office hours M-F 8:30am - 5:00pmOur Privacy Neither one can tell me exactly what it is I have to do to get my medical / student certificate now. Anymore stringent than the First Class Medical is now would end up grounding many older pilots. Simple you dont need to know and if you are scared to apply for you medical because your feared in getting caught. I found my regular doctor because I was looking for an AME. If somebody had an experience with this, or knows somebody who has had that would be great if they are willing to share. They always do it under the banner of safety. That isnt good leadership. I did not disclose my name or address when I created this account. Most of us fly for recreation and a burning fire within to fly, and the Sport program can be just the ticket. If I wanted to continue learning to fly I had to pay to visit a nomiated CAA doctor. The absurdity of these medicals resides in the tiny number of casualties from medical incapacitation, compared to most other activities requiring no medical. I wanted to go to the interview with the certificate already in hand so I could have a slight edge. Deaply sorry it was a dumb statement. As one previous poster mentioned, why not let the AME make more of the calls, especially for class 3? In this application, you must disclose any information about a condition that has the potential to affect your eligibility to fly. If it is not recurrent, you should be able to demonstrate with help from your private treating physician that the problem no longer exists. Never happens! It is a good thing that there are no sport airplanes to rent in your location. Yes, all my discussion was only applicable to private, recreational pilots, not airline or large freight liner pilots. It revealed an abnormality. I then had to take an echo, which revealed I was even healthier than I thought! Then, I initiated actions to get tested, never dreaming that FAA would punish me for being conscientious and wanting to be fully alert. 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 . 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. Good pilots self certify before every flight and wise, old pilots know when its better to stay home. The application states once hired you must obtain a class 2 medical cert I cheeted on a eye test flowen with out a incedent. How do I get my FAA medical records? I do not think that there is anybody who does not lie or has not lied at one time or another. What Are the Chances of Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? I am hoping that they do the right thing when it comes to my health assessment. Why? When I was active duty Air Force we had a guy pass his medical and they drop from a heart attack the next day while sitting on his couch. The absurdity is having a major federal bureaucracy policing this incredibly low number of deaths. Ill continue to go by the book until such time as the rules change, or I wish to no longer fly. Port St. Lucie, FL 34988 Needless to say, I passed. No faxes or emails are allowed. The FAA medical process makes it nearly impossible to comply with completely. The premise of someone getting over long-term depression is laughable. AMCD will consider much more than the information you submitted in MedXPress and your AMEs exam findings. What you dont want to do is lie. I was better off lying. Question 17 can identify for the FAA that an individual is currently taking a disqualifying medication such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Strattera, etc, commonly used to treat ADHD. I am a rental pilot as well, and unfortunately, there are no sport rentals available, and they are too expensive to buy. Willy post had only one eye should he have been grounded.??? 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. KL, I agreemost pilots at least fail to mention things. Whether or not your AME issues your medical certificate, the FAAs Aeromedical Certification Division (AMCD) will review your application. This is just as important an issue as the proverbial get homeitis problem so many flyers seem to have. About a week before I was suppose to be soloed I went for my medical and was told by my AME that I cant fly because I take adderal. 2022 MedMG - All Rights Reserved On the other hand, when I started flying and had to take a 3rd class medical, the AMI was a personal friend and knew of my hearing problems, therefore suggested we do the hearing test with an audiometer in the evening when there was less noise and confusion in the office. The best advice we can give you is to visit an aviation medical examiner (AME). Some do it by mistake. I am working with a private party who specializes in this sort of thing and he cant really give me definitive answers either; just educated opinion and guidance. I have sleep apnea and use a Constant Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine. Pilots also fly without annual inspections, insurance and they might even go flying without getting a briefing first. Usually, that period of time is 60 days. So, I can only assume that the FAA will see it so there is no question about having to report it myself. So by that, one could lie of not having epilepsy for example even though they have! I on the other hand can only fly sport and do when I can find a plane to rent. I WAS A BIRD DOG PILOT IN VIETNAM FOR 3+ YEARS WHEN I WAS SENT TO THE DECK BY SMALL ARMS FIRE. Hmmm Wiley Post was one of the great Aviators flue around the world was he Illeagle??? If you think your AME charges too much, find someone else. Offer their members hasnt been an issue as the FAA is charged with both promoting and... Know when its better to stay home for flying than are for driving health is in your life premise someone... The stress from taking the medical application because I was an F/O we flew in airplanes single... Of you, but not others, with OSA no question about having to report myself! Information about a condition that has the potential to affect your eligibility to fly, and the Sport program be. 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