Perhaps its not actually a lie, maybe just selectively forgetting something. We have been contacted by major union legal teams regarding this issue. Therefore, I lied. The bottom line is,if you cant be truthfull to yourself,you cant be truthfull at all. Wouldn't it be nice if, when you opened up Med Expres, all the information that you had included in your last application was there for reference. If a question comes up about whether or not a pilot is qualified to hold an FAA medical certificate, the application itself usually does not contain enough information for AMCD to make a truly informed decision. FAA gets told one version of the story. I was even showing a bit of talent for it and progressing very nicely towards my private pilot certificate. If say 10% are due to medical incapacitation, that would be 45-50 deaths a year. 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. Requesting Medical Records. What Are the Chances of Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? Have tried the polite calling routine, found they will lie to you, one time the lady told me my SI was approved & mailed 2 days prior, when I finally got it 3 weeks later the post mark date proved they had lied. The additional costs associated with FAA medicals will reduce flying time for many of us there goes the proficiencey issue again. No. Ask your AME to call Oklahoma City and ask to speak with a physician about your case. 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. Anyone could take the drug and get behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, a Cat D-11, a speedboat, you get the idea. Its mode of travel, the air, makes it a lot more divertable than stuck to a road, and should make it safer, Especially as opposed to the majority of motor home drivers, that are in their later stages of life, howling down the freeway at 70 miles per hour in bumper to bumper traffic. We report, you decipher. 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. 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 . you say he flys solo whats it to you, Gee I fell out of bead a week ago and wacked my head I wonder if I should tell the FAA. I dont think the FAA realizes that pilots arent average human beings. Free health screenings, nope, wont do those, might turn up something (whether correctly or incorrectly) that could end up costing me a fortune to deal with. 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 think a regular physical should be required, but the special AME physical in all reality boils down to a tax disguised as safety concern. But the feds harass pilots, not drivers, because they can get away with it with pilots but not with drivers. During an FAA medical, a urine test will take place that checks sugars and protein levels. The other is you tell the FAA about something. There are are more decisions that have to be made while driving than flying. However, the overriding principle here is that if you intentionally falsify your medical and are discovered, then you are done permanently. The truly dangerous people are those that make impulsive decisions while in a dire mental health state brought on by outside factors. George ED King says: You tell me how can a lighting designer be daltonic? They were like so we dont think you ever had it Passed tests with flying colors. An airline pilot may have 500 passengers aboard while flying under stringent IFR conditions. I wanted to go to the interview with the certificate already in hand so I could have a slight edge. 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. The only good thing is that hypocrites like will feel the hit even harder when you loose your medical, and you will. Yes, I lie about the counseling part. If you have a FAA medical denial for ADHD, call your aviation attorney at The Ison Law Firm for a consultation. Sometimes I think its not necessary for ATC people to have medicals. I would like to see how many incidents of NOT seeking medical attention, due to knowing that the FAA will pull their ticket, have led to problems. Brian, you are right on about AMEs being able to grease the wheels for pilots with the FAA medical people. If somebody had an experience with this, or knows somebody who has had that would be great if they are willing to share. The Aircraft Registration Branch maintains registration records on individual aircraft and serves as a repository for airworthiness documents received from FAA field offices. Theyre just scared something is going to happen in the air. Ruin a life a move on. dangerous individuals about whom one reads in the news at 10. Skye, If you have not required counselling for a few years and are not taking anti-depressants you should be good to go. 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. Willy post had only one eye should he have been grounded.??? Your email address will not be published. What are the chances you will get caught? It is so easy for those not flying professionally to prescribe stricter rules for those that do. You had better not try to get on medication to calm you down and thus make you a safer pilot because you will no longer be able to fly. Just like the annual inspection on the aircraft, when it was signed off everything was supposed to be airworthy, what happens after that is anyones guess. How do I get my FAA medical records? You have to be careful what you ask for. Remember that most pilots who have lost their medicals because they lied are probably not around here to talk about it. It took me six months and an extra EKG (probably to make sure I didnt have a heart attack over this!) Now you tell me how sad it is when an idiot declares you have daltonism and denies you the ability to fly, so ruining your dream forever. Yes I can agree even thought I am a pilot right now I do want to work for the airlines one day so I will need a first class which I currently hold. Its just not opening an unnecessary can of worms. 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? Ask those young people who posted personal info online and then got turned down for a job interview because of those posts they placed years ago. It explains a lot of stuff that seems ridiculous, like have you ever been unconscious. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.). There are too many who are afraid of liability. It has caused unnecessary pain and inhibits its mission to promote aviation. 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. I hadnt had any issues or symptoms for over 10 yrs., doctors Id seen always pronounced me fit & healthy. 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. Im older now and have some typical late 40s health issues. N '[T]here is probably some justification for that,' he acknowledged in a 1998 interview, noting that the FAA is 'extremely conservative' when it comes to medical matters. In other words, the FAA is not currently able to directly view your medical records without your knowledge or approval. 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. In other words, your health is in your hands. Before every flight (sometimes several per day) I self qualify myself THAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS PIC!!! He memorized the color chart. The FAA has created an atmosphere that not only encourages problems to go unchecked and unreported, but actually makes some of those problems worse by discouraging pilots from addressing them, instead allowing them to fester. 3. Its about cooperating with your doc so you can keep doing what you love. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. its the government way. see you in the cockpit!! Self certification is where the FAA should focus their energy. I have to do the same stuff to go ice diving. I think its a very poor decision to falsify your medical. I have also been on a special issuance First Class Medical for three years now. Yet, until recently, the FAA wouldnt allow any pilot to be treated with an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) a medication with an excellent safety record concerning accidents. Doesnt this seem grossly out of proportion? 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. I am not sure whether the doctors are always correct or what specifically they are looking for to justify one pilot is medically fit while another is unfit. 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. Because the measures necessary to achieve it would make life intolerable dull and stifling. A quick examination of the many truthful and honest individuals that are truthful during their AME exams and are no barred from ever becoming a pilot! Lie by default. 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. If you have ever been denied a medical, you still cannot go in and just use your drivers license. This is truly a Great Debate. Joined APC: Jan 2013 . If pilots routinely lie, but its never a safety issue If you have not needed counselling for a year or more (maybe less) and are not taking an antidepressant, get a note from your counsellor and take it with you to the appoint with the AME. The FAA is charged with both promoting aviation and regulating its safety, which can be conflicting responsibilities. 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 will follow that up with a word of warning. Whether or not your AME issues your medical certificate, the FAAs Aeromedical Certification Division (AMCD) will review your application. If they have any concerns about your eligibility to hold a medical certificate, AMEs can also deny your application or defer your certification to the FAA for further review. I reported controlled hypertension on my questionnaire. Most people fall into the trap thinking that one DUI will prevent them from getting their medical, or they fear it will make it difficult to get. I have not had any problems since the bypass, medication is limited to a daily asprin, and have passed all the required tests each year. He refused to take the physical his business required because his family had a history of heart trouble, he was a bit overweight, etc. 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. While my husband sailed through after having lied. If you fly only pilot with family and friends, your Medical certification, whether with the AME/FAA or flight-to-flight, is about them. A separate authorization request is required for each record released to any third party (physician, insurance company, employer, etc.) The big question is whether it matters. Drowning deaths 2400 Indeed, in 2000 the Aeromedical Certification Division granted twice as many 'special issuance' certificates to pilots who had a significant medical condition, like coronary heart disease, a valve implant, a pacemaker, or alcoholism, as it did 10 years earlier. It does happen. According to Dr. Guillermo J. Salazar, the federal flight surgeon for the Southwest Region, applicants filling out Form 8500-8 often skip Block 17, which asks about medications, rather than spill the beans. NO. 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. Ultimately, if you have a condition that you know will result in denial, become a sport pilot. The FAA Cannot possibly know all the doctors or hospitals you have ever been to unless you tell them. One will get a license. R: Sleep Apnea. He issued my medical with a waiver. Major unions have lost court cases and in one instance suffered severe financial damage in the process. How is THAT not a red flag to someone??? If you were diagnosed with ADHD when you were in school but havent taken medication or experienced symptoms in 15 years, you still are required to answer yes to question 18m. That resulted in the rejection of my 2010 medical! None of the above activities has any significant medical requirement. I showed him on the form. First class medical exams can cost up to $200. Legally, it does have to be the original. Pilots most likely have wanted too fly since they were kids. 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. That would translate into 45-50 deaths a year. My first flightdoctor told me he was very happy about having pilots as clients. However many of the folks you are asking are not quite so anonymous. 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 is a good chance you can hide some minor medical problems or even some major ones that you recovered from years ago. My thought exactly: my last 3 medicals have consisted of please pee in this cup do you have any complaints? I know a pilot who lost enough weight for his sleep apnea to disappear. When a government becomes oppressive, intransigent, and unreasonable, allowing no recourse beyond its edicts, eventually people react. Anonomous, No problem there both were on the approved list (most are). You want to make it more difficult? Speaking as a pilot, I think that there should be a way to maintain certification for those of us flying recreationally without having to see an AME every 2 years. Is the medical for safety or for what other purpose? Should that person be allowed to self-certified medically and carry as many as 5 passengers? Seems ludicrous to me. This applies to ANY wildcat actions, including slowdown, work-to-rules, withdrawal of enthusiasm (WOE), sickouts, etc. Its a losing game. Of course people lie on the application, they want the medical so they can keep flying. Direct Primary Care Physician for Pilots? Still there are occasional exceptions where a commercial or airline pilot dies in the cockpit. Period. I hope the FAA box didnt kill more. All content on Executive Flyers is rigorously reviewed by experienced and qualified fact-checkers. If the problem went away, petition the FAA to remove the requirement for special issuance. What can some shrink tell me about myself that I dont already know? This is nothing but government bureaucracy. The AME guide expands on that question to unexplained unconsciousness. The AME Guide is available to all pilots on the FAA website. They leave that up to you, but just make sure you read their minds so that your interpretation matches theirs that they dont tell you. SO ITS FLY TILL I DIE OR GO TO PRISON. So, instead of less regulation, we need more and along with that comes enforcement. Gradually, our freedoms are being taken away by government regulatory entities. If they used MODERN medicine and common sense then I would have no problem with them. We have a very good AME in our area. 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. So, I can only assume that the FAA will see it so there is no question about having to report it myself. 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. Personally, I feel that if I am medically safe enough to drive then I should be safe enough to fly. I was STUPID enough to be honest. Ok, I read the revised FAA 61.53 and I have been under a misconception; however, there are most likely many others who believe like I did. This is because you know you have a condition that would disqualify you if you did apply for a Third Class medical. I Fly America but I was frustrated because a desk bureaucrat figured they knew more about my health than 3 doctors who had recently examined me with aviation in mind.. But most of disqualifying conditions can be dealt with, and your AME should help you do that. On the other hand, the 3rd class questionnaire seems more like screening for We should not be subjected to this inquisitional questionnaire in the first place. Having people squeal on them? But with such a vague statement, you can see why many pilots may unintentionally get themselves into trouble. Some Pilots tend to lie some just do not get medicals. Headwind vs. Tailwind Whats the Difference? Office hours M-F 8:30am - 5:00pmOur Privacy Wreck an 18 wheeler and how much property could you damage and how many people could be injured on a busy interstate? Another friend had accompanied me to this testing and he sat across the table from me so that he could see the doctors actions. Lets assume 10%, which is probably a high figure. One comment referenced the fact that we dont have to have a medical to operate a car or any other type of transportation vehicle. It was OK to fly without government harassment. Its funny that this question even comes up. No, most pilots have few issues. If I continue to wish to fly.I had better take care of myself by good nutrition and exercise..on the issue of lying no, I would not lie because not only is it stupid it is cause for losing the ticket. Pedestrian deaths 5300 FAX your completed Request for Airman Medical Records Form to (405) 954-9326. On the part of most pilots here its not lying. My new AME, (old one finally retired,) is a pilot, as is his wife, the office manager and head nurse. The AOPA and the EAA are going to propose an exemption to the third class physical exam that would allow us to use our drivers license as our medical to fly recreational. It's safer to allow people to self-disclose and get help, rather than non-disclosure and possibly flying impaired. 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. However, if you do get caught, at best you will lose your license. I reported hypertension and was required to have an entire cardiac work-up within the past 6 months. Just curious, as I am considering it and wondering about others experiences. Gordon, Once set up by politicians, these agencies rule by fiat, for which there is no recourse. We are equally desiring of our freedom, but because we are a small group, the bureaucracy can get away with it. From the archives: how valuable are check rides? Perhaps most problematic is that these medications are disqualifying in and of themselves. 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