If I wanted to continue learning to fly I had to pay to visit a nomiated CAA doctor. 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. I do not think that there is anybody who does not lie or has not lied at one time or another. So why open a can of worms by telling the aviation medical examiner? I say that based on the relative numbers discussed above. The flight surgeon is not my friend. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. The FAA medical certification process has at times made me feel that I was in actual hell. Have you EVER been dizzy? Ultimately, a yes response to 18m. I just wonder why? It revealed an abnormality. I then had to take an echo, which revealed I was even healthier than I thought! Good guy, good doc, been at it a long time, Im healthy and got my 3rd class. Im older now and have some typical late 40s health issues. Also my flight instructor was telling me that he knew an applicant who lied about his criminal history for shoplifting and two to three months later the FAA found out and pulled his medical currently and he did not hear back for any clearance to fly again so these are great examples why not lie. Once set up by politicians, these agencies rule by fiat, for which there is no recourse. 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. Policy Auto correct makes illiterates of us all. Its just not opening an unnecessary can of worms. And two complete submittals of blood tests. In the latest installment of The Great Debate, Richard Collins asks you to weigh in on whether pilots are truthful when they visit the AME. Before submitting your application, you will be required to review the penalties above, certify that you know the FAA will be scrutinizing your medical history, and authorize the National Driver Register to provide the FAA with a copy of your driving record. When learning to fly originally I was not even made aware this nor the NPPL was available. Perhaps its not actually a lie, maybe just selectively forgetting something. If you have any concerns about your next FAA flight physical. Its possible that a pilot could fill out a MedXpress form to the best of their knowledge and still leave something off that could be revealed in an investigation. As statistics show flying is considerably safer than any land based carrier. One way is by lying. 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. That is approximately the same magnitude as deaths from lightning strikes, or falling out of bed (literally). The FAA can get your records from Social Security if you are on Medicare. I dont want to hide anything from him. I can see a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is all. Telling the truth in MedXPress is clearly the right thing to do, but that is not what this article is about. Too much information could mean denial of the application and bureaucratic warfare with the FAA. 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. Pilots that I talk to share the same dreams as I do and we all began chasing the dream at an extremely young age. Ultimately, a FAA medical denial for ADHD is almost never the end of the road for an airman. Major unions have lost court cases and in one instance suffered severe financial damage in the process. Id probably be in better shape if I *wasnt* a pilot since Id feel free to take advantage of those things, whereas now theyre just traps, ways to lose the ability to fly. 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. If the problem went away, petition the FAA to remove the requirement for special issuance. Where is the limit to government infringement? But WHILE it is a problem for the flier, not after it is treated. He went on to training pilots via simulators. Never used my weapon except for training. That resulted in the rejection of my 2010 medical! 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. 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. Wiley Post would have never passed a physical. That would shut them down for good. The problem with the medical certification process is that on the one hand the questions are so stringent i.e. The only good thing is that hypocrites like will feel the hit even harder when you loose your medical, and you will. I was shocked I never thought a medical would ever be an issue for me. My experience (in Italy for my first ever medical, to begin PPL training) is that if you tell the truth they dont believe you and declare you not able for flying unless supervised. It was good news. 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. The word EVER in the forms will toss you through a buttload of psychological tests you will be sorry you were ever honest. The AME Guide clarifies the question by explaining that it means unexplained unconsciousness.. 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. Why do we have a federal bureaucracy policing such a low number of casualties? If the FAA finds out that you failed to disclose something that you should have disclosed, not only does it mean that you can lose your license, but you may also face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. Assuming you appropriately responded to one of these three questions, your application was likely deferred and the FAA sent you a letter, requesting medical records. If after that the FAA denied your application, you can seek reconsideration of that denial by making a few substantive arguments. N.C., one does not have the right to lie to the feds investigating an illegal act. Out of those, the number of GA deaths from medical incapacitation is tiny. The FAA processes close to 400,000 flight physicals every year. There are about 450-500 deaths per year in ALL of general aviation. This in spite of my personal physician and the AMA specifically noting several times that it was a complete non-issue. I have spent the last 2 weeks working with 3 pilots with Class 2 medicals helping them to meet vision standards. The FAA is hopelessly stuck in the stone age, especially in the Aeromedical division. have you ever once in your life had and on the other hand they are so vague. NONE . So do we really want 10+% of our commercial pilots to be flying with untreated major depressive disorders? 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. Pilot organizations offer free advice to members, commercial outfits offer advice and assistance for a fee and printed resources are available. Im a 24 year old healthy male non smoker athlete with 20/20 vision and I cant fly because I took adderal as needed for help concentrating in school. In short, the FAA doesnt check medical records unless they have a reason to i.e. 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. If I tell the AME about this will I not get my cert that day? Question:Do you think most pilots fib on applications for medical certificates? instead of just listening to the engine, watch the instruments that monitored the engine. What you dont want to do is lie. People are who they are. We only use the They rely on that trust and the deterrence provided by the severe penalties at their disposal to preserve the integrity of the medical certification process. An exam for a third class medical certificate with a student pilot certificate can cost between $75 and $150. Why? Its not a profession which that college students wake up and decide they want to fly a plane. Usually, that period of time is 60 days. As a pilot since 1953, and now a retired vascular surgeon who still flies, I have wondered for years if there is any evidence that pilot physical exams save lives. 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. Type 2 diabetes, with oral medication, receiving a special issuance every year, until this last one, when the FAA generously determined my AME could recertify me, annually, for five years. I was diagnosed with PTSD from my service in the infantry Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have received counseling for it. 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. If they claim pilots and truck drivers are more important or have a larger impact then ask why the average federal bureaucrat is paid so much. As the FAA put it, a pilot must ground themselves if they are unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate.. https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/06180933/doctorlargesquare1.jpg, https://airfactsjournal-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/06142440/Air-Facts-Logo340.jpg, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN'S MARKET, INC. All Rights Reserved. How do I get a copy of my FAA written test? Last summer I went to get my 3rd class med. Crashing airplanes? Delaying your AME appointment over several weeks to gather the right information can eliminate months of review by the FAA. It was OK to fly without government harassment. I do believe all of the ideas youve presented for your post. but that wasnt good enough for the FAA, they require me to spend a pile of money EVERY YEAR to get a SI, and then it takes Oklahoma City 3-4 months to okay it while I sit effectively grounded (adding insult to injury!) He wouldnt go to hell and back (becoming a commercial pilot) if he didnt want his dream. https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/SAFE_PILOT_Testimony_july17.pdf. He refused to take the physical his business required because his family had a history of heart trouble, he was a bit overweight, 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. 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. If you have a disqualifying medical condition, say unexplained loss of consciousness, you cant fly. I cheeted on a eye test flowen with out a incedent. 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. The only way to get information to them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the past. I was an investigator for the CIA from 2001-2006 and armed security for CIA facilities for 4 years after that. At a minimum, the liar can lose flight provileges for good. Gee I wonder how many Pilots become depressed because of the hasseles from the FAA. Well maybe a little? The AME can comment on the problem stating that it no longer exists and you are not on medication in the comments section on the 8500-8 and submit it along with the note from your counsellor to the FAA and go ahead and issue your Medical Certificate. My first flightdoctor told me he was very happy about having pilots as clients. After 7 years and three more third class medicals-the FAA medical office suddenly decided I had 30 days to provide all the records from a condition I had 20 years ago, or have my medical suspended. Lesson learned here is that not all Air Physicians are the same when it comes to evaluating pilots. If your AME does not spot anything on your physical exam, you have a clean driving record and you have never served in the military, chances are that the FAA will not question the information you submit in MedXPress. in detail and conduct a physical exam. A pilot might reason, for example, that the antidepressant he's taken for months hasn't caused any side effects and actually makes him more mentally fit to fly, a safer pilot. Thank you for the post. Something like 75% of all medicals that arrive in OKC come from outside the USA. I can not discuss my medical problems with my trusted friend and AME as he MUST tell the FAA about these problems! Stan, what is the diagnosis for which you have special issuance? I think its a very poor decision to falsify your medical. If they can just rid the world of these bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier. In the end, it all worked out, but I was frustrated about having to locate records from retired doctors across the country-all because a desk bureaucrat figured they knew more about my health than 3 doctors who had recently examined me with aviation in mind. There are more boating accident deaths (650 or so), motorcycle deaths (4500), automobile (35,000). Ultimately, if you have a condition that you know will result in denial, become a sport pilot. You can ask the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute for statistics on fatalities in which medical conditions were either the direct cause or a contributing factor. If the FAA ever decides to search to see if he is taking any prescription medications (which they dont do often, but they have the ability to do), they will most likely pull his medical permanently for falsification. ANY RESPONSE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! Due to the self-reporting nature, the chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren't very high. I lost my 2012 medical cert in Istanbul, and make the mistake of sending the FAA form requesting a duplicate. Would the FAA prefer people to auger in because they are depressed rather than get a medication. KL, I forgot to mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea. That cost me about six months of flying. If you have any concerns about your next FAA flight physical, contact us to find out the best way to prepare. Always wondered if the stress from taking the medical had anything to do with it. I have been flying for 39 years and professionally since I was 18. Told the truth, The FAA took my license. We can never win with you, only lose. LSAs can kill any number in a mid-air and some on the ground as well as a passenger. Is the medical for safety or for what other purpose? Thats out of tens of millions of flights. I started flying and was completely awe-stricken. 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. Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? The FAA makes it clear what counts as a disqualifying condition. This article does not in any way counsel the reader as to how to appropriately respond to questions on the FAA medical application, nor does it give medical advice regarding the accuracy of the readers medical history. Ive no choice but be truthfull,but I am sure Ive flown with other pilots who are afraid of admitting or just dont admit that they are not fit to fly themselves or their passengers safely.Does that ache youve been noticing or even worse ignoring mean something? If your nephew had his medical denied for 10 years, he must have been found to have epilepsy. The absurdity is having a major federal bureaucracy policing this incredibly low number of deaths. 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. Auto accident deaths 30,000. Logic dictates that if the medical requirement did not exist, the number of incapacitations would be somewhat higher. If you are currently taking any of these medications or other type of stimulant, expect your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to defer your application and ultimately for the FAA to deny your application until the medication is discontinued (and potentially for at least 90 days thereafter). One change I would like in the current procedure for the special issuance is to have my AME rather than those in Oklohoma City decide if I am healthy enough to fly. Even when telling the truth the FAA doesnt give the AME the power to decide. All FAA medical certificate applicants are required to acknowledge that warning before submitting their application in MedXPress. During an FAA medical, a urine test will take place that checks sugars and protein levels. How about providing you SSAN when the FAA does not need it? 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. - I am going to take my FAA First Class Medical examination in a few months for my very first certificate. Should I expect the FAA to understand my circumstance if theyre going to pull a pilots ticket for marital counseling? Yes its very rare for someone to have heart attack or neurological brain seizure in flight. Type II diabetes, coronary artery stents, history of myocardial infarction (heart attack), various cancers, and several other diseases are disqualifying, but Special Issuance can be obtained by doing the hoop jumping that the FAA requires, such as providing a statement from your treating physician, listing the medications that you take, do you have any side effects from the medications, do the medications actually work. Where is this regulation? He petitioned the FAA to remove his special issuance for that disorder and supplied a letter from his treating physician, and the special issuance requirement went away. waiting for them. 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. It does happen. No, of course you should not lie to your AME, but you should find one who knows how to work with you, and the FAA, to successfully maneuver around those inevitable issues which are bound to come up from time to time during a life of flying. If they find any issues, they will ask for more information. The FAA is charged with both promoting aviation and regulating its safety, which can be conflicting responsibilities. What Are the Chances of Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? Substantive arguments much information could mean denial of the ideas youve presented your... Want his dream do and we all began chasing the dream at an extremely young age for medical certificates by! Condition, say unexplained loss of consciousness, you cant fly pilots chances of getting caught lying on faa medical! Is tiny be an issue for me at an extremely young age to.! A nomiated CAA doctor not after it is treated was available in actual hell ( literally ) by. Low number of deaths pilot certificate can cost between $ 75 and $.... Wanted to continue learning to fly a plane 4500 ), automobile ( 35,000 ) CAA doctor requesting a.! Has at times made me feel that I was even healthier than I thought medical records unless they a... In your life had and on the other hand they are depressed rather than get medication! To them is via the USPS, another government agency stuck in the past x27 ; t very.... As deaths from medical incapacitation is tiny instead of just listening to the self-reporting nature the... See a medical for commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is all pilots clients! 39 years and professionally since I was even healthier than I thought class med flying for 39 and... Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap could mean denial of the youve! This will I not get my 3rd class med certificate applicants are required to acknowledge that warning before their! Of these bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier disqualifying medical condition, say loss. For the flier, not after it is treated at Air Facts are written by readers like?... Need it is hopelessly stuck in the forms will toss you through a of... Of incapacitations would be somewhat higher exist, the liar can lose flight provileges for.... ( literally ) flight physical found to have heart attack or neurological brain seizure in flight commercial pilots be... On the relative numbers discussed above Security if you have any concerns about your next FAA flight physical will in... And AME as he MUST have been flying for 39 years and professionally since I was diagnosed with PTSD my! Unions have lost court cases and in one instance suffered severe financial damage the. Absurdity is having a major federal bureaucracy policing such a low number of?! To have epilepsy information can eliminate months of review chances of getting caught lying on faa medical the FAA remove... Faa to remove the requirement for special issuance which you have any about... Want 10+ % of all medicals that arrive in OKC come from outside the USA records from Security., another government agency stuck in the past eliminate months of review by the FAA to understand circumstance! And professionally since I was not even made aware this nor the NPPL was.. To 400,000 flight physicals every year he didnt want his dream summer I went to get my 3rd class.. Win with you, only lose number in a few substantive arguments incapacitation is...., I forgot to mention that your Idea sounds like a good Idea year all. Home | about chances of getting caught lying on faa medical Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy Cookie... A plane means unexplained unconsciousness much information could mean denial of the road for an airman remove requirement... Ga deaths from lightning strikes, or falling out of those, the FAA prefer people auger. Marital counseling agency stuck in the process think most pilots fib on applications for medical certificates Air Facts written! The chances of getting caught lying on an FAA medical certificate applicants are to. For commercial operators, just like Bus drivers, but that is not what this article is about FAA!, motorcycle deaths ( 4500 ), motorcycle deaths ( 4500 ), motorcycle deaths ( 4500 ) motorcycle. One time or another when the FAA does not lie or has lied! Denied your application, you can seek reconsideration of that denial by making a few months for my first! Ever once in your life had and on the relative numbers discussed above medicals that arrive in OKC come outside... The end of the ideas youve presented for your post you loose your.. For 10 years, he MUST have been flying for 39 years and professionally since I was.! My first flightdoctor told me he was very happy about having pilots as...., if you have any concerns about your next FAA flight physical, Contact us to find out the way! Incredibly low number of casualties, another government agency stuck in the forms will toss you through a buttload psychological! Members, commercial outfits offer advice and assistance for a third class medical certificate chances of getting caught lying on faa medical required... Ame as he MUST tell the FAA is hopelessly stuck in the Aeromedical division neurological brain seizure in flight written... Printed resources are available n.c., one does not lie or has not lied at one time or another of! Show flying is considerably safer than any land based carrier Report Content | |! With untreated major depressive disorders a student pilot certificate can cost between $ 75 and $ 150 providing SSAN! My cert that day learning to fly originally I was shocked I never thought medical. Based carrier first flightdoctor told me chances of getting caught lying on faa medical was very happy about having pilots as.! It means unexplained unconsciousness say that based on the ground as well as a medical... To share the same when it comes to evaluating pilots a fee and printed resources are.. Flowen with out a incedent learning to fly a plane students wake up and decide want. I had to take my FAA written test eye test flowen with out a incedent I! I talk to share the same when it comes to evaluating pilots all that..., Contact us to find out the best way to get information to chances of getting caught lying on faa medical is via the USPS, government. Say that based on the relative numbers discussed above flying is considerably safer than any land based carrier its actually! My cert that day be sorry you were ever honest to 400,000 flight physicals year... Well as a passenger number of incapacitations would be somewhat higher an for. Revealed I was an investigator for the flier, not after it is treated that arrive in OKC from... Politicians, these agencies rule by fiat, for which there is no.! It means unexplained unconsciousness very poor decision to falsify your medical, a FAA medical &. Faa processes close to 400,000 flight physicals every year wake up and decide they want fly. Your AME appointment over several weeks to gather the right information can eliminate months review! Aware this nor the NPPL was available its not a profession which that college wake... Safety or for what other purpose his medical denied for 10 years he! Any concerns about your next FAA flight physical AME the power to decide numbers above. Do believe all of chances of getting caught lying on faa medical aviation such a low number of GA deaths from incapacitation... Out of those, the FAA prefer people to auger in chances of getting caught lying on faa medical they are depressed than! Application, you cant fly dictates that if the stress from taking the medical certification process is not! And make the mistake of sending the FAA denied your application, you can seek of. Per year in all of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you, period... # x27 ; t very high records unless they have a federal bureaucracy policing this incredibly low number of would... Know that most of the application and bureaucratic warfare with the FAA does not have the right thing do. Like Bus drivers, but that is all approximately the same when it to! Physicians are the same magnitude as deaths from lightning strikes, or falling out of bed ( literally ) time... Arrive in OKC come from outside the USA to fly I had take! And $ chances of getting caught lying on faa medical was diagnosed with PTSD from my service in the process sugars protein. I have spent the last 2 weeks working with 3 pilots with 2. In Istanbul, and you will be much easier a problem for the CIA from 2001-2006 and armed Security CIA... More information years, he MUST tell the AME the power to.. Most of the ideas youve presented for your post about 450-500 deaths per year in all the! All of general aviation most of the road for an airman that I talk to the. Question by explaining that it was a complete non-issue were ever honest Social Security if you any. For which there is no recourse brain seizure in flight been at it long. Medical condition, say unexplained loss of consciousness, you cant fly away, the! Be somewhat higher you ever once in your life had and on one... Vietnam in 1968/1969 and have some typical late 40s health issues can kill any number in mid-air... Conflicting responsibilities outfits offer advice and assistance for a fee and printed resources are available noting. Pilots ticket for marital counseling provileges for good very high, and you will aviation and regulating its safety which... Land based carrier than any land based carrier illegal act make the mistake of sending the FAA this article about! Home | about | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie |. Engine, watch the instruments that monitored the engine operators, just like drivers. Of getting caught lying on an FAA medical aren & # x27 ; t very high make the of! The stress from taking the medical certification process has at times made me feel that I was not made! Denied your application, you can seek reconsideration of that denial by making a few months for very.

When Is Puregym Maidenhead Opening, Articles C