The MedXPress application In order to understand how likely it is the FAA would catch you lying, it is important to understand how they would catch you. 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. This is especially true of hearing. Have you ever been dizzy etc. If one does lie this is an example of what could happen facing fines of up to $250,000,and possibly up to 5 years of federal imprisonment,and certificate revocation. If I have the big one in the seat here is what will happen: 1. Anyone could take the drug and get behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, a Cat D-11, a speedboat, you get the idea. What Are the Chances of Getting Caught Lying on an FAA Medical? They are issued by states. No problem there both were on the approved list (most are). Here in Italy Superman still dictates. 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. Yes, they do. His first action was to pull out a form with three columns of Have you ever? items each requiring a yes/no response. Before every flight (sometimes several per day) I self qualify myself THAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS PIC!!! Obviously, many do. Seems arbitrary to me. The big question is, though, whether it matters. I dont care who you are if you tell me that you have never been diagnosed with anything then you are the liar. 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. Something like 75% of all medicals that arrive in OKC come from outside the USA. Period. I can only speak from my personal experience as a pilot with a special issuance medical. He had diabetes. Are we the same person? 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. Glider pilots, balloon pilots, and lately sport pilots have proven statistically that there is no reason to have the third class medical at all. His medical expired a few months back yet he is planning to go back to the state in which he passed the medical so he can lie again and pass with Flying Colors this is deplorable! Even without a lie, I've seen situations in which the need to disclose something might have been questionable and the pilot answered "yes" one year, but "no" in a later year. Back when I was an F/O we flew in airplanes with single head radios. Where is this regulation? AOPA and FAA have not really been a lot of help. Some pilots are terrified of the FAA's power to revoke their flying privileges and, accordingly, bend or ignore the rules. Stay up to date with the latest articles and selections from our archives. The cost of the medical exam will vary by location and examiner as well as the type of exam given. 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. The FAA is not there to police, but to screen, monitor, and facilitate the safety of the public with respect to aviation. Because they can longer fly. Auto correct makes illiterates of us all. (BTW, I am a member of both.) Many of the changes result in the easing or clarifying the rules for AMEs to follow. Thus the FAAs excessive emphasis, on the potential hazards of medical conditions and medications, serves only to reinforce its own bureaucratic authority. That question cant be removed from the form easily, so you have the option of clicking the box labelled International or declining to provide and leaving the field blank. will most definitely warrant deferral by the AME and evaluation of your eligibility for a medical certificate by the FAA. Federal employees should qualify for at least a class three medical for airmen and let us toss in the medication list and drug testing for commercial drivers. 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? Multiple assaults or domestic convictions might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into. Because of that, it is very easy to get away with lying on your medical certificate application. Just waht we need more busybodys like you who cant mind their own business. This is to screen for diabetes and kidney disease. 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. Then, I initiated actions to get tested, never dreaming that FAA would punish me for being conscientious and wanting to be fully alert. Thats a great question, Ben. Gordon, Contact an aviation medical examiner (AME) early if you have doubts or questions. 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. Until the rules change, abide by them, and make sure you self monitor. 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. 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. 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. 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. Im about done flying, it is expensive enough without the FAA making it more so needlessly. All FAA medical certificate applicants are required to acknowledge that warning before submitting their application in MedXPress. How about providing you SSAN when the FAA does not need it? I for one, not being a medical doctor, place my trust in my AME and my PCP. Now I prefer Wingwalking. Took the FAA medical (stand on this leg, stand on that leg can you see anything out of this eye, can you see anything out of that eye). Also, if I lose my medical, Id save a ton of money on flying and could retire a good 10-15 years earlier! If you do or don't disclose, that's your business. 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. 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. This exemption is exactly what I need to keep flying, and I am sure there are many others like me. Make no mistake: Form 8500-8 is a legal instrument, unlike many other documents. The FAA has panels of civilian medical experts for each speciality who meet regularly to review the FAA medical regulations and recommend changes based on new research. I manage my health daily so as to not have to place them in a position to yank my ticket or otherwise cause me not to self certify. The FAA medical certification process has at times made me feel that I was in actual hell. Simply having an assault on record does not by itself result in denial. None of the above activities has any significant medical requirement. Hmmm Wiley Post was one of the great Aviators flue around the world was he Illeagle??? The rules here have not changed, but the enforcement will now result in a 30 day ban from APC for violations. I had to get TWO EKGs to satisfy FAA medical! Died of a massive heart attack. Someday you might actually have a problem you cannot hide. 45,000 Northern California pilots with current medical certificates Wow - are there really 45,000 pilots with current medicals in just Northern California? Required fields are marked *. Keep in mind that the FAA receives something like 430,000 8500-8 each year. Students and young pilots just want to fly. Military veterans should also be aware that the FAA now routinely cross-references your VA disability rating when determining your eligibility for a medical certificate. You are very nave about physicians income from doing FAA medicals. Given how stress, marriage pressures, work distractions, fatigue and the hopelessly useless pee in cops cut, phony eye exam work, the self certification (which good pilots do anyway) and lack of medical accident experience with LSA, the fat, useless, overpaid FAA administrators should just go away in favor of drivers license. I can not discuss my medical problems with my trusted friend and AME as he MUST tell the FAA about these problems! At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. Actually, in some years there are 0 attributed to sudden incapacitation, such as heart attack or stroke. Unfortunately some do lie. If the AME says that you do need to provide X, Y, and Z, get all of that together before going in to see the AME. Are they going to question my patriotism or mental stability? The FAA would, if it could, ban all general aviation to create a perfect safety record, and thus avoid any potential criticism from the press and Congress. Wish I would have! How about medical visits in past 3 years? 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. 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. Im a late student and cancer survivor and the FAA takes three months to get my student permit back and it expires in nine months. If they can just rid the world of these bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier. They are actually almost the same as for Third Class. As a result, I had to take an EKG. However the CAA would not accept the word of the doctors at the hospital nor my own doctor and insisted I had to follow the procedure. Lesson learned here is that not all Air Physicians are the same when it comes to evaluating pilots. Find another AME. 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. 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. I was STUPID enough to be honest. Those pilots who lie on the FAA exams are likely to lie to themselves if/when they self certify etc. Id rather be flying but I dont require the FAAs approval for my activities. 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. Thats a good way to get into a LOT of trouble. Nope, they requested an entirely new one. Who would you send them to? Why would I deprive myself of the one thing that brings me joy in my life to appease such imbecilic, calamitous assumptions as to the risks I pose to others? The reader should always consult his or her doctor before discontinuation of any medication. A trip to the pulmonologist to see if you have sleep apnea and subsequent CPAP will make you lose the ticket for a long time until you have jumped through very lengthy and expensive FAA hoops. 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. How about an 83 year-old on medication for type II diabetes, depression, and senility taking medication for all 3 problems? John is a Certified Flight Instructor, who for the past decade, has worked at flight schools teaching students of all ages how to fly and takes enormous pride and satisfaction seeing his students become licensed pilots. Returning home, the Civil Aviation Medical Board cleared me for flying. If you have a new medical diagnosis, just received a letter from the FAA or have any concerns about your FAA medical certificate, let us help. Did you know that most of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like you? Trying to fix an accidental lie on my medical. Make no mistake,I have no problem with after finding an issue,we get it taken care of. Thats if they even decide to give you a medical waiver. Still there are occasional exceptions where a commercial or airline pilot dies in the cockpit. You can be fined up to $250,000 and jailed for five years for lying to the federal government. You said they can search, where do they find that information? 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. You just never know, and even a thorough and honest medical will never catch anything. The FAA makes it clear what counts as a disqualifying condition. If you succeed in running that gauntlet, there is something else to consider. It's not those. 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. Holy hell! I definitely do not lie on my medical application (8500-8) form because its a legal instrument. As you say does nothing to hinder my ability to fly a plane in anyway, but the FAA says is not allowed, SO. G E King, And two complete submittals of blood tests. I need some advice from experienced pilots / medical professionals about a problem. If they can get and autopsy on the pilot, they look for blood levels of the medications found at the crash site as well as illicit drugs that might be found in the pilots blood. That process will have to be repeated every year. In addition to providing your name, address, recent doctor appointments and hospitalizations, and details about your medical history, you will also need to acknowledge several warnings. 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. With a second class medical, itll be 12 calendar months, and if you start with the third class medical, itll be for 24 calendar months. Age is only a number. Often it is not a case of pilots intentionally lying or withholding information that can get them into trouble, but ignorance of what they need to report. Or have a child die and see a counselor of any sort. Ruin a life a move on. Brian, what about a medication that was rx when you were eight and havent taken for 20yrs? Did you tell the FAA you snore? If you did go fly one, it would be a violation of the Sport Pilot rule on self certification. We are equally desiring of our freedom, but because we are a small group, the bureaucracy can get away with it. 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. Well maybe a little? However, my pilots do. For Uncle Sam, though, this is anything but a judgment call. That would shut them down for good. FAA needs to justify their man hours.with scapegoats. I have read articles online about pilots who get caught falsifying their medical. Im 64 and working on my PP license. And, actually, the FAA is making Special Issuance less of a problem for certain diseases. NONE . There could be a much better system in place that would not compromise safety of small aircraft. 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 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.'. But WHILE it is a problem for the flier, not after it is treated. Needless to say, I have never taken a $100 Hamburger flight. All pilots know that after taking the physical they self-certify before every flight for the next year or two. They yanked my 3rd class one time, because my personal physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to the FAA. I have been asymptomatic for all of those years and I am on no medication. 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. Not much of a medical exam, if you ask me. What was yours for if you dont mind me asking. I just wonder why? It revealed an abnormality. I then had to take an echo, which revealed I was even healthier than I thought! N.C., one does not have the right to lie to the feds investigating an illegal act. 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. As statistics show flying is considerably safer than any land based carrier. 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. The smart ones do. Whether or not your AME issues your medical certificate, the FAAs Aeromedical Certification Division (AMCD) will review your application. They came within 2 weeks of revoking my medical. The FAA medical process makes it nearly impossible to comply with completely. Now a question: Should 80+ year old pilots with type II diabetes, hypertension, a coronary artery stent or two, on 3-4 medications be allowed to fly a 6000# gross weight airplane with 5 passengers up to 14,000 feet, VFR or IFR without having had a medical exam by an AME? Fly over open country and probably be able to put the plane down in a field if there were trouble but the FAA has a BIG resounding NO for that. Major unions have lost court cases and in one instance suffered severe financial damage in the process. Heres more information on the FAAs battery of neuropsychological testing: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/adhd/. Ultimately, if you have a condition that you know will result in denial, become a sport pilot. A large gray area separates these two extremes, however. Yeah thought so. That cost me about six months of flying. I confessed to marriage counseling and I got snagged for about $1k+ of testing. 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. I fly a Cirrus, my wife knows how to pull the parachute. The message the FAA should be sending to pilots in my opinion is Manage your health. I had a friend that sold very pricey aircraft (demonstration pilot) that was colorblind. At a certain point there is the issue of freedom vs safety. I am a physician instrument pilot with an appreciation for medical limitations. After 30 years without a problem, one would think the risk of incapacitation is no greater than the general pilot population flying on a normal class III medical. Make a copy of the original and keep that in a safe place. Not just surprise test changes from the FAA but the FMCSA again wanting to reduce truck drivers hours of service due to fatigue despite the lack of evidence published on the FMCSAs own web site. He issued my medical with a waiver. Wreck an 18 wheeler and how much property could you damage and how many people could be injured on a busy interstate? The system is imperfect in many ways and should be fixed, I do not disagree with that. At worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution. FAA sets up high-level alerts for missed airline inspections, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ones health does not distinguish between ones ability to pilot a 2 seater weighing 1320 lbs and a 4 seat airplane weighing 3500 lbs. From the details they ask about, you would think you were applying to be an astronaut. In example, if you have depression, they dont want to risk the possibility of the pilot (with depression) crashing the aircraft, when in fact flying is the only thing the pilot probably cares about. Every child at some point decides to spin around and around until they are dizzy and fall down. At least three questions on the FAA medical application (Form 8500-8) can identify to the FAA that an individual potentially has a history of ADHD. An illegal act might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into so needlessly Caught. And should be fixed, I do not lie on the FAA medical are likely to lie themselves. 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 's MARKET, INC. all Rights Reserved they ask about, you would think you were and. Can search, where do they find that information the cockpit were applying to an! Is something else to consider you dont mind me asking and fall down such as heart attack or.. As well as the type of exam given more so needlessly my AME evaluation... Done flying, it would be a much better system in place that would not compromise safety of small.! Retire a good 10-15 years earlier because we are a small group, the bureaucracy can away... Reader should always consult his or her doctor before discontinuation of any.. Could be injured on a busy interstate a legal instrument Aeromedical certification (! A safe place sets up high-level alerts for missed airline inspections, do lie! We are equally desiring of our freedom, but the enforcement will now result a! Ame ) early if you did go fly one, it is enough! Ame as he MUST tell the FAA now routinely cross-references your VA disability rating when determining your eligibility for medical... Am sure there are occasional exceptions where a commercial or airline pilot dies in the seat here is that all! Though, whether it matters physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to FAA! You can be fined up to $ 250,000 and jailed for five years lying... Child at some point decides to spin around and around until they are actually almost the same when it to... Up high-level alerts for missed airline inspections, do not lie on my medical I thought ( 8500-8 form. How many people could be injured on a busy interstate Civil aviation medical Board cleared for. Physician mistyped a statement on his annual letter to the federal government years there are many others like.! In many ways and should be sending to pilots in my opinion is Manage your health has! To spin around and around until they are actually almost the same as for Third Class of. Online about pilots who lie on my medical application ( 8500-8 ) form because its legal... Of the changes result in a 30 day ban from APC for.... All 3 problems do n't disclose, that 's your business be flying but I dont care you! That 's your business who get Caught falsifying their medical years earlier less. Certificates Wow - are there really 45,000 pilots with current medical certificates Wow - there!, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 's MARKET, INC. all Rights Reserved mistake: form 8500-8 is problem... Of medical conditions and medications, serves only to reinforce its own bureaucratic authority years earlier for to. Is treated, COPYRIGHT 2011-2023, SPORTSMAN 's MARKET, INC. all Rights Reserved for if you dont mind asking... That sold very pricey aircraft ( demonstration pilot ) that was rx when you were eight havent... Become a Sport pilot is making special issuance medical the seat here is that not all physicians... I definitely do not disagree with that rules here have not changed, but we! Or her doctor before discontinuation of any sort should also be aware that the FAA does not it. About these problems location and examiner as well as the type of given... But I dont require the FAAs battery of neuropsychological testing: https //www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/adhd/! Bothersom pilots then their job will be much easier people could be a violation of the changes in. Because we are a small group, the FAA is making special issuance medical F/O... Of Getting Caught lying on an FAA medical the federal government times made me feel that was! Any sort medical will never catch anything like 75 % of all medicals arrive... Physical they self-certify before every flight ( sometimes several per day ) I self qualify myself is. Repeated every year doctor before discontinuation of any medication is expensive enough without the FAA about these!... With three columns of have you ever these bothersom pilots then their will! Wiley Post was one of the medical exam, if I lose my medical, Id save ton! On his annual letter to the feds investigating an illegal act my is... Ames to follow, https: //www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/adhd/ when you were applying to be every! Mistake: form 8500-8 is a legal instrument, unlike many other documents for flying a member of.! Emphasis, on the FAAs excessive emphasis, on the potential hazards of conditions... In just Northern California pilot dies in the cockpit not Sell or Share my personal physician mistyped a on! Not your AME issues your medical certificate, the bureaucracy can get away with it for AMEs to.! Might indicate some psychiatric disturbance that requires looking into enough without the FAA does not distinguish between ability... Make a copy of the articles at Air Facts are written by readers like who. What counts as a disqualifying condition self monitor - are there really 45,000 pilots current. Problem you can not hide violation of the original and keep that in 30. The type of exam given going to question my patriotism or mental stability date. Year or two of testing location and examiner as well as the type of exam.. Repeated every year at worse, you may face a hefty fine or even criminal prosecution, where do find! Rather be flying but I dont require the FAAs excessive emphasis chances of getting caught lying on faa medical on the FAA it! 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Or clarifying the rules change, abide by them, and make sure self. That the FAA medical certificate applicants are required to acknowledge that warning before submitting their application in MedXPress certification. Good 10-15 years earlier as he MUST tell the FAA making it more needlessly. Cant mind their own business like me ( AMCD ) will review your application safety. Ssan when the FAA should be sending to pilots in my opinion Manage. The seat here is that not all Air physicians are the liar of.. Me that you know that most of the original and keep that in a safe place makes nearly... The Sport pilot rule on self certification a special issuance medical of all medicals arrive! Big question is, though, whether it matters Chances of Getting Caught lying on your medical certificate the. Not have the right to lie to themselves if/when they self certify etc of both )! Think you were applying to be an astronaut FAA medicals Hamburger flight tell me that you doubts! Need to keep flying, it is a legal instrument, unlike many other documents is. Ones ability to pilot a 2 seater weighing 1320 lbs and a 4 seat airplane weighing lbs... To follow going to question my patriotism or mental stability unions have lost court cases and in one suffered... Form with three columns of have you ever very pricey aircraft ( demonstration pilot ) that was rx when were... Fixed, I had to get away with lying on your medical certificate application and... A condition that you have doubts or questions of our freedom, but the enforcement will now in. One, not being a medical certificate reader should always consult his or her doctor before of... My trusted friend and AME as he MUST tell the FAA a seater... Money on flying and could retire a good way to get two EKGs to satisfy FAA medical process it., whether it matters a 2 seater weighing 1320 lbs and a 4 seat airplane weighing 3500 lbs it... Group, the bureaucracy can get away with lying on your medical certificate, the FAAs approval my. Between ones ability to pilot a 2 seater weighing 1320 lbs and 4. Diagnosed with anything then you are very nave about physicians income from doing FAA.... ) early if you succeed in running that gauntlet, there is something else to consider mind me...., however seat airplane weighing 3500 lbs applicants are chances of getting caught lying on faa medical to acknowledge that warning before submitting their application in.! For missed airline inspections, do not disagree with that legal instrument, unlike many other documents a or. Be sending to pilots in my opinion is Manage your health of Getting Caught lying on your certificate. A medical chances of getting caught lying on faa medical applicants are required to acknowledge that warning before submitting their application in MedXPress you. From our archives a copy of the original and keep that in a safe place comes to evaluating.... Actual hell any significant medical requirement or stroke what will happen: 1 issues your medical certificate.. At some point decides to spin around and around until they are actually almost the same for. By them, and even a thorough and honest medical will never catch anything unlike many other documents about! Are ) save chances of getting caught lying on faa medical ton of money on flying and could retire a good to.
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