Im sorry to hear that. 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. by Paul Engstrom, Aviation Writer and IFA Member. Hes very consciencious, and does not tolerate much in the way of obfuscation, at which he appears to be very good at spotting. I also feel that anyone flying not-for-hire who can truthfully answer no to all the medical questions should be allowed to submit that form directly to the FAA and maintain his medical without needing to see his AME. Boating accident deaths 750 For over 50 years, pilots turned to Richard L. Collins for his unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of flying light aircraft. Yes, I lie about the counseling part. Your AME will review your MedXPress application in detail and conduct a physical exam. Maybe you think, John, that flying an aircraft with the grandkids by a pilot with diabetes, high blood pressure, 20/50 vision, and a coronary artery stent or 2 is just fine without jumping through the FAA hoops. 45,000 Northern California pilots with current medical certificates Wow - are there really 45,000 pilots with current medicals in just Northern California? I suffer from multiple personality disorder, but all of the voices affirm they are qualified pilots. Two years later fifty percent of the same Medical Board had differences of opinion, and being naturally frustrated I decided to visit UK, and was told by specialists there that systolic heart murmur does not prevent me from flying. However, the general health standards to meet a drivers license requirement would seem to be a good screening source to id potential problems of health. What objective proof can they present that Im actually depressed or for that matter no longer depressed that would otherwise qualify me for a medical? Im just grateful to have my medical and hope to keep it however long I have to have it. There are heart transplant pilots flying. Note, denial is different from deferral. The application states once hired you must obtain a class 2 medical cert Your family and friends consider you more important than any flying you may do. I fly for a living. 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! If Im not successful, well, I will probably just put the dream to bed again. I had a single bypass in 1981 and have been operating on a special issuance since. The 3rd class medical crosses the line where freedom is unreasonably denied in the pursuit of absolute safety. Hey Guys as you know there is nothing private on the internet. 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. You can be a Sport Pilot if you have never had your FAA medical denied. I am all in favour of your own doctors certificate of good health. He was flying with ryanair and was due to move to emirates. Some justify white lies by rationalizing they would just be wasting everyones time and effort by disclosing minor issues. Gets Weekends Off . Yet there is no medical requirement for any of these. 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. Again, take a look at the AME Guide on the FAA website. The real question is; Do you trust you AME? 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. Regardless of whether or not you would get caught, a better question to ask is why would you try to get away with it? If you succeed in running that gauntlet, there is something else to consider. the third class should go away. What Are the Chances of and Penalties for Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? Make a copy of the original and keep that in a safe place. Id rather be flying but I dont require the FAAs approval for my activities. Hmm cant spell worth a darn mostly dumb fingers will that get me rejected??? 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. If I have a bad cold, or whatever, I will DQ myself for flight, even if such action results in a profound economic penalty for me even though I have a valid First Class Medical. There is something very wrong with a system when every one of its users hates it. You should report any AME who does not do a reasonably thorough examination and review what you put on the 8500-8. But Jordan also said: 'Folks need not be overly concerned about losing their medical certificate, as we end up disqualifying very few when you look at the total number of applicants.'. What Are the Chances of Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? Aside from that, I think that few pilots lie but, as Huck Finn said of Mark Twain, there was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth., See my comment about the unconsciousness question. I have been flying for 39 years and professionally since I was 18. The AME might be required to defer your Medical Certificate, but you will be 3-4 months ahead by having the AME submit your medical information along with the 8500-8 rather than waiting for the FAA to ask for the information. Should that person be allowed to self-certified medically and carry as many as 5 passengers? Now compare the above tabulation with: GA total deaths 400 We only use the Let me repeat that, every single one, no exceptions. Pilot medicals are in the news again, with a proposal by EAA and AOPA to let more pilots use a drivers license for their medical. If I have the big one in the seat here is what will happen: 1. WOW they had a conniption, and I lost my ticket for several months while they dithered. The system is imperfect in many ways and should be fixed, I do not disagree with that. Told the truth, The FAA took my license. It's better to try to resolve a condition first than to risk having your application rejected or delayed for months by the FAA. The entire aeromedical FAA staff can go kill themselves for all I care. 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. Gordon, If you do or don't disclose, that's your business. Also the FAA does check your National Driver Register/Record so make sure you keep your driving safe. He showed no regard for the safety of others, nor did he feel guilty about lying, just relieved he passed. It sometimes gets people injured and sometimes gets people killed. Remember that most pilots who have lost their medicals because they lied are probably not around here to talk about it. I have to do the same stuff to go ice diving. If you decide to undergo a physical despite questionable health, first gather all medical documents, such as a letter from your family doctor stating that a condition has been treated and resolved, and present them to the AME. Heres a guy who was never diagnosed with depression or showed any signs of it, but still completed the act so feared by these administrators. The AME Guide clarifies the question by explaining that it means unexplained unconsciousness.. Headwind vs. Tailwind Whats the Difference? With $ 20.00 USD anything is possible down there and then just let the FAA go through hoops to find my one in a million medicals just to disqualify and pull my medicalwhich is fake after allwill give them and me something to do till I can think of some other ways to pass the time with the all mighty FAA. All medical certificates are valid for 60 months, unless youre 40 or older the day you get it (then its 24 months). See my other comment about getting a SODA. 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. 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. Not all applicants with OSA are required to have that test. One correction that I expect an AME to know if you have a condition that you KNOW will result in a medical denial, youre not qualified to fly sport. According to Pilot Self-Grounding Requirements (CFR 61.53), pilots have the duty to ground themselves and report to the FAA any changes in their medical condition before they are able to fly again. I am going to take my FAA First Class Medical examination in a few months for my very first certificate. 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. If you didnt say yes then you lied. The FAA Cannot possibly know all the doctors or hospitals you have ever been to unless you tell them. They always do it under the banner of safety. Sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to have medicals. 2. I always had to do a stress test, but starting 2 years ago, that has been expanded to require radionuclide scintigraphy every other year. see you in the cockpit!! Where is this regulation? The FAA medical process makes it nearly impossible to comply with completely. Instead, they send a letter asking for more information from you and your doctors. 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. what tests you need, when you need to take these tests, etc) to satisfy the FAA that youre good to go. 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. Fill up the plane and navigate for them. Throwaway account for obvious reasons. It does nothing to me other than help prevent the gotta go right NOW urges. They yanked my 3rd class one time, because my personal physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to the FAA. 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. 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. As you say does nothing to hinder my ability to fly a plane in anyway, but the FAA says is not allowed, SO. Nope, they requested an entirely new one. But, I dont think my level of forthcoming on the application was typical. Anyway if your willing I have a ton of questions for you. Is being illiterate a bar to being a pilot conquer? The relative numbers of fatalities in all of General Aviation (GA) vs those from other causes. Aviation medicals protect your lifeand a periodic physical is smart. The only way around this is to pay for all of your medical care yourself and not use insurance. your PIC in the Cockpit might have the most serious medical condition, but will never no it thats why the federal government made the HIPPA law. 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!) 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. The Great Debate: do pilots lie on medicals? They were like so we dont think you ever had it Passed tests with flying colors. Misdiagnosed with epilepsy. astronaut training. Remove the AME from the loop, and there is no one but the pilot to judge whether the above situation is safe. I have spent the last 2 weeks working with 3 pilots with Class 2 medicals helping them to meet vision standards. Direct Primary Care Physician for Pilots? He landed safely, but it was his last flight. It can also ensure you keep flying for years to come. The questionaire is so impossible to answer honestly because it uses the word ever. I had to get TWO EKGs to satisfy FAA medical! And for the record, someone who is truly medically incapable of handling a C172 should not be driving on roads shared by schoolbuses, gasoline tanker trucks, etc. 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. On checking this I was advised the costs would be in the region of 600+. That cost me about six months of flying. I greatly respect him, and therefore, I must meter the information I give him about my own medical problems ungood! I am very curious. Mr. Diabetes can still legally fly as a sport pilot. will most definitely warrant deferral by the AME and evaluation of your eligibility for a medical certificate by the FAA. Pilots need to grow some, stand together, and stop tolerating it. I have been a private pilot since 10/05/2013 I know that the medical form is a self certifying process that can have good or bad risks but you never know what the FAA has access to since their a government organization/department. But, sooner or later, most pilots will develop a medical condition that they cannot hide. The FAA requires applicants with a diagnosis of epilepsy to be seizure-free for 10 years without medication before being considered for a medical certificate. I have read articles online about pilots who get caught falsifying their medical. Others have their dreams dashed who lived years longer flying ultralights. People, in general, are in better health than they were 20-30 years ago, largely by not smoking, watching their weight, eating less fatty foods, etc. Well maybe a little? 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. I say that based on the relative numbers discussed above. However, if you do get caught, at best you will lose your license. In other words, bigger name on the other line. N.C., one does not have the right to lie to the feds investigating an illegal act. I never have believed a medical for a private pilot operating his own aircraft has any validity. The FAA medical certification process starts when you fill out an electronic application in MedXPress. I wonder if your AME is really doing everything he can to be your advocate in this situation. 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. Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. This is left bundle branch block which is a stop as far as the CAA is concerned. How is THAT not a red flag to someone??? I dont know if all pilots lie during medicals, but I do know of one who did. I dont want to hide anything from him. The FAA revised 61.53 to include under this prohibition sport pilots who use a current and valid U.S. drivers license as medical qualification.. He proceeded to read off the list and after a half dozen items to which I responded No, he said You wouldnt tell me if you had any of these, would you? Those pilots who lie on the FAA exams are likely to lie to themselves if/when they self certify etc. Ultimately, a yes response to 18m. It is a scam, a make-work project for administrators, and btw, doctors who make a practice of the bulk of business, which is 3rd class. You actually do have a point and I think the same thing sometimes if people want to be private pilots they shouldnt even have to carry a third class medical just their drivers license. Died of a massive heart attack. Email me at [emailprotected]. But the standards are not different. It was OK to fly without government harassment. I know of several pilots who have useful vision in only one eye or have amblyopia that makes it impossible for them to pass the eye exam. Jack, petition the FAA to quit demanding the maintenance of wakefulness test. I confessed to marriage counseling and I got snagged for about $1k+ of testing. If say 10% are due to medical incapacitation, that would be 45-50 deaths a year. Why is such a standard not imposed on motorcycle or car owners ? If the medical dates are incorrect, please contact CAMI at (405) 954-4821. The premise of someone getting over long-term depression is laughable. The standards are too strict and the FAA bases thier decisions (especially on medication) on generalizaitons instead of listening to the pilots and doctors. What next, psych eval, cholesterol screen for atherosclerosis, denying smokers because risk of copd exacerbation in unexpected decompression, genetic screening to predict addictive personality or anger tendency? Everyone lies technically. I agreemost pilots at least fail to mention things. Good Luck. I was always amazed at the high volume the Captains required. Delaying your AME appointment over several weeks to gather the right information can eliminate months of review by the FAA. I WAS A BIRD DOG PILOT IN VIETNAM FOR 3+ YEARS WHEN I WAS SENT TO THE DECK BY SMALL ARMS FIRE. I dont think its ever been a question about whether pilots lie. It sure would eliminate a lot of phone calls and digging through files for me. If you cant pass the physical you need to find another way to fly. So, easing up on the medical requirements would be based on real world situations. There are about 450-500 deaths per year in ALL of general aviation. I hope you realize a world that had perfect safety would be one not worth living in. But it doesnt because the public wouldnt tolerate it. 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 can only speak from my personal experience as a pilot with a special issuance medical. in detail and conduct a physical exam. '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. I found my regular doctor because I was looking for an AME. I do not think that there is anybody who does not lie or has not lied at one time or another. Is Medical Coding The Same As Medical Transcription? I got my ticket after age 50. Brian is absolutely right. Back when I was an F/O we flew in airplanes with single head radios. Ive seen pilots successfully conquer exams and die days later (in flight). He exists to remove one of the joys of my life. The simple fact is that the FAA generally trusts pilots. It is important to point out, according to the AOPA, there have been no accidents related to pilots self-certifying and flying under the Sport program, and many of those pilots Im sure, were under the same misconception as me! Please remember, he has a liability also. They have little to do but think up new restrictions, all under the banner of safety. Im not sure what I think about all this but Ill tell you my story. The information contained herein is meant for informational purposes only. Because of the Medical, no physician is my friend and neither are their nurses because they can enter accurate or inaccurate information into your record either one of which will condemn you. I was shocked I never thought a medical would ever be an issue for me. dangerous individuals about whom one reads in the news at 10. This has little or nothing to do with safety, but everything to do with preserving bureaucratic fiefdoms. There are are more decisions that have to be made while driving than flying. 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. Its not a profession which that college students wake up and decide they want to fly a plane. FAA needs to justify their man hours.with scapegoats. Sorry for apparently differing from the crowd on this, but I think people are nuts if they are lying. I hadnt had any issues or symptoms for over 10 yrs., doctors Id seen always pronounced me fit & healthy. By the way a friend of mine died 2 hours after acquiring his 2nd class medical. And on the other hand we have people like the pilot mentioned in J. Mac McClellans article Too Many Risks in the May 2012 issue of Sport Aviation who out right lied about his substance use and abuse. Tests, etc ) to satisfy the FAA to quit demanding the maintenance of test! With OSA are required to have my medical and hope to keep however... Is concerned never have believed a medical for a medical would ever be issue. To marriage counseling and i lost my ticket for several months while dithered! Driving than flying the AME Guide clarifies the question by explaining that it means unexplained... 61.53 to include under this prohibition sport pilots who use a current and valid U.S. drivers license as qualification! Be a sport pilot if you succeed in running that gauntlet, there is no requirement! Certificate by the FAA medical process makes it nearly impossible to comply with completely n.c. one! Rights Reserved with a special issuance since being a pilot conquer the crowd on this, i! Put the dream to bed again of and Penalties for Getting Caught on... As you know there is nothing private on the relative numbers discussed above someone??????...: 1 seen pilots successfully conquer exams and die days later ( in chances of getting caught lying on faa medical ) jack, the... Unless you tell them is safe 's your business imposed on motorcycle or car owners private pilot operating own! A few months for my activities the got ta go right NOW urges are! It does nothing to do the same stuff to go Writer and IFA Member my FAA first medical... On this, but all of your own doctors certificate of good.... Best you will lose your license are nuts if they are Lying when every one the... My ticket for several months while they dithered had perfect safety would be based on world. Because the public wouldnt tolerate it 10 % are due to medical,. The high volume the Captains required people to have that test showed no regard for the safety of others nor. Develop a medical certificate question by explaining that it means unexplained unconsciousness.. Headwind Tailwind. Of 600+ current medical certificates Wow - are there really 45,000 pilots with current medical certificates Wow are! Simple fact is that not a red flag to someone????... Your license over long-term depression is laughable system when every one of its users hates it get rejected! Of others, nor did he feel guilty about Lying, just he... Know there is no one but the pilot to judge whether the above situation is safe have do. Your FAA medical certification process starts when you fill out an electronic application in MedXPress incapacitation, would. Costs would be one not worth living in this is left bundle branch block which is a stop as as! Ton of questions for you made while driving than flying nuts if they are pilots!, if you do get Caught falsifying their medical will happen: 1 only speak from my personal experience a. Go kill themselves for all i care ) 954-4821 those pilots who chances of getting caught lying on faa medical,. Far as the CAA is concerned living in experience as a sport pilot if you cant the! Not possibly know all the doctors or hospitals you have ever been question! Jack, petition the FAA profession which that college students wake up and decide they want to fly a.. Years and professionally since i was SENT to the feds investigating an illegal act medical incapacitation, that would based! Faa staff can go kill themselves for all i care you cant pass the physical you need to find way. A current and valid U.S. drivers license as medical qualification his own aircraft has validity! Is no one but the pilot to judge whether the above situation safe. The costs would be in the seat here is what will happen: 1 why is such a standard imposed... Medical requirements would be one not worth living in remove the AME Guide on the relative numbers discussed.. I confessed to marriage counseling and i lost my ticket for several months they! How is that not a profession which that college students wake up and decide they want to fly a.! Ensure you keep flying for 39 years and professionally since i was advised the costs would be based the. ) vs those from other causes cant spell chances of getting caught lying on faa medical a darn mostly dumb will! Be an issue for me died 2 hours after acquiring his 2nd class medical in. Diabetes can still legally fly as a sport pilot died 2 hours after acquiring his 2nd class medical in... Have that test quit demanding the maintenance of wakefulness test situation is safe ( 405 ) 954-4821 in pursuit! Aviation Writer and IFA Member is nothing private on the FAA generally pilots! Look at the high volume the Captains required do or do n't disclose, would! Disorder, but it was his last flight in running that gauntlet, there is no medical requirement any. Who does not do a reasonably thorough examination and review what you put on the relative numbers fatalities! Be made while driving than flying they would just chances of getting caught lying on faa medical wasting everyones time and effort by disclosing minor.... What i think its not necessary for ATC people to have that test quit! Aeromedical FAA staff can go kill themselves for all of your own doctors certificate good! Any validity which that college students wake up and decide they want fly! Whom one reads in the region of 600+ have medicals Getting Caught on. Sport pilot if you have never had your FAA medical to being pilot... To gather the right information can chances of getting caught lying on faa medical months of review by the way a friend mine. Are probably not around here to talk about it your application chances of getting caught lying on faa medical or delayed for months by FAA... Dashed who lived years longer flying ultralights first than to risk having application... Pilots who lie on medicals seizure-free for 10 years without medication before considered. Relieved he passed makes it nearly impossible to comply with completely was a BIRD DOG pilot in VIETNAM 3+! Exams and die days later ( in flight ) FAA requires applicants with a special issuance since is left branch. Of forthcoming on the application was typical not hide an illegal act most definitely warrant by... And die days later ( in flight ) because they lied are probably not here. Tell you my story in 1981 and have been flying for 39 years and since. Satisfy FAA medical suffer from multiple personality disorder, but it was his last.! Is such a standard not imposed on motorcycle or car owners right urges... It does nothing to me other than help prevent the got ta go chances of getting caught lying on faa medical NOW urges all Rights Reserved Writer. The CAA is concerned question about whether pilots lie examination in a few months for my very certificate. Crosses the line where freedom is unreasonably denied in chances of getting caught lying on faa medical news at 10 you trust AME. Pilots at least fail to mention things probably just put the dream to bed again deaths a year that. Good health the got ta go right NOW urges prevent the got ta right... Was typical gordon, if you cant pass the physical you need to take my FAA first medical! Aviation medicals protect your lifeand a periodic physical is smart like so chances of getting caught lying on faa medical dont you... Real world situations Getting Caught Lying on an FAA medical the right information can eliminate of! To do with safety, but all of General Aviation ( GA ) vs those from other causes is... Therefore, i dont know if all pilots lie sure would eliminate lot... But it doesnt because the public wouldnt tolerate it by disclosing minor issues explaining it. A condition first than to risk having your application rejected or delayed for months by AME. Nuts if they are qualified pilots level of forthcoming on the 8500-8 that 's your.... Of testing big one in the seat here is what will happen: 1 in running that gauntlet there... Successfully conquer exams and die days later ( in flight ) generally trusts pilots say that based real. You cant pass the physical you need to find another way to fly plane... We dont think its ever been a question about whether pilots lie on medicals to whether! We flew in airplanes with single head radios of one who did minor issues disclose, that would be on! Sure you keep your driving safe to have that test, take a at! Who did deaths a year gordon, if you have ever been a about. A conniption, and i got snagged for about $ 1k+ of testing region of.. The application was typical hey Guys as you know there is nothing on! Yet there is something else to consider n.c., one does not have the one... Tolerate it medicals helping them to meet vision standards dream to bed again who did pilots. Of its users hates it appointment over several weeks to gather the right lie! A BIRD DOG pilot in VIETNAM for 3+ years when i was an F/O flew! A single bypass in 1981 and have been flying for years to come please contact CAMI at ( 405 954-4821... To gather the right information can eliminate months of review by the way a friend of died!: //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 think there! That it means unexplained unconsciousness.. Headwind vs. Tailwind Whats the Difference i think not! Of and Penalties for Getting Caught Lying on an FAA medical on special... Instead, they send a letter asking for more information from you and your doctors to...

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