Aviation Medical Discussion with an AME - InTheHangar

[Mike-]

The FAA is completely off their rocker with regard to class 3 medicals. They need to outsource 100% of all class 3 medicals to AME's give them immunity to lawsuits. They required me to get an MRI because I bumped my head 44 years ago riding a skateboard when I was 7 years old. When it happend back then my parents took me to the ER they checked me out. bump on my head all healed up I was fine. The FAA demanded I provide medical records from 44 years ago my parents are both dead. My pediatrician died 30 years ago the hospital I went to was torn down and Condo's were built there. I had to spend $2500 for an MRI, and Neurologist report who thought the FAA is nuts. The worst part is the FAA requires mail corresponding can't even speak to them on the phone. Not all AME's are the same some just defer, "Lets send it in let the FAA figure it out". You get that guy and it will take 2-3 years. I could understand they have higher standards why not at least have a way we can have a conference call with my AME discuss what they want instead of this letter writing BS.

[PrestonVanLoon]

The FAA Aeromedical division is an absolute disaster. I've been deferred for nearly a year now and, at this point, they are asking for even more clinical notes from my doctor because the original ones I sent are now out of date because the FAA is taking so long to reply to my letters. You can't talk to anyone, the person on the phone can't give you any information, and there is no end in sight. It's absolutely ridiculous that they take 7+ business days just to add your letter to your file after they receive it and then nearly a month later for them to write a correspondence and then over a week for them to mail that!! It takes about 2 to 3 months every time they ask for more information for them to ask for even more information. They aren't making us safer, they are making us less safe by grounding pilots for no reason

[paulpeters]

My medical (3rd Class) got denies by the FAA because of my CPAP. I am a full time paramedic and I work 24 hour shifts. FAA rules state that you must wear the CPAP 75% of the time for at least 6 hours. This is not realistic for me, so now I am left to decide if I give up my profession or give up my ideas of flying. Stupid but true if you wear a CPAP.

[nroc]

I know this is long after the show, but i have a thought. Since I took a SSRI and have an old diagnoses of ADD, i was told I need a full HIMS evaluation including neuro-cognitive eval, psychiatric eval, and HIMS AME examination. The closest HIMS Nero-Cognitive lady is 150 miles away. She wants $3, 000 for this eval. The HIMS psychiatrist is 200 miles away and wants $2, 400. The HIMS AME is in Williamsport, pa, about 175 miles away and wants $1, 500. I also am required to get full urological and GI evaluations and submit all medical records i have ever had to the FAA.
I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I told one dirty joke and I am not suicidal or homicidal and have worked in a large hospital here as a Registered nurse. I have passed all child abuse and criminal screenings required for my job and have worked with many critically ill people for over 30 years. Why does my government treat me this way?

[trdshortbus]

As a type 1 diabetic I said F the nonsense and am going for my Light Sport to save my self the hassle of digging up 20 years of my medical history and jumping through the firey hoops to possibly be denied by the FAA.

[ecossearthur]

Yes indeed! The rules regarding meds can be tricky, especially when one pill can be classed as two due to it utilizing two drugs! Awaiting my waiver right now!

[connornolan]

I just got deferred for my 3rd class med because of an ADHD diagnosis, waiting for a letter from the FAA so I can take a 6 hour long psych evaluation that costs between 2 and 5 grand, and then maybe have a shot at passing.

[KevinSmithAviation]

Another great episode Dan and Christy, thank you. Lots of great information. Hope you are enjoying your time in the UK. Safe sky's and travels. Keep up the great work. 🤘🇺🇸🛩️

[dgram]

You can get your FAA medical a day before your birthday and you get your 60 months. If your birthday happens to be on the second of the month the medical would be good for nearly 61 months.

[Wild_Bill]

Dan - I work in the medical insurance business and get asked medical questions all the time, my response is: I’m not a doctor and don’t play one on TV.

[randallmoore]

Do you know what the FAA standard is if a pilot has sleep apnea? Is that a diaqualifer in of itself? Can a CPAP machine be used provided the pilot remains in compliance?

[glendavis]

My 3rd class was deferred to FAA. It would be helpful to know what to expect. Are we doomed or is there a process to get a qualified issue certificate. A video with guests that have had this issue would be most helpful with their outcomes and time consumption.

[RH-xrms]

I found out what it means that the FAA is not happy until Everyone is unhappy

[jasonhurdlow]

Sounds like the FAA is way too strict on medicals for normal GA pilots. Imagine if we did this for drivers? Insane!

[SailorGerry]

How long after cataract surgey is the waiting period in order to do a reassessment of corrected & uncorrected vision?

[billmoran]

I’m a 460 hr Private pilot age 70, trying to get back into Aviation after being inactive for 20 years. I applied for a third class medical, went to an AME and he deferred because of my type 2 diabetes. I received the request for information from the FAA and requested that my Dr. provide the details of my diabetes treatment which is controlled by Metformin and has been stable for several years. My Dr. refused to provide any information to the FAA. it seems the GP’s are uninformed regarding the FAA’s processes and are attempting to avoid any potential liability by not releasing any information.
I feel I have no recourse in this situation which is extremely unfair.

[debbiegailstuart]

A middle-aged "friend" went through extensive testing, letters from various doctors, and thousands of dollars to prove that, decades after having suicidal ideologies, they were not depressed. It took almost a year and a half. Needless to say, it was important to my "friend" to be cleared.

[flyashish]

I was arrested for DUI but not convicted (the case was ultimatley dismissed) back in January of 2021 when I was 17. I am now 20 and and trying to get my first class medical certficate to continue my pilot training. I have about 60 hours so far and need my meidcal certificate before I can solo and finish my private. It was a one time offense and I have no substance abuse history with alchahol just a bad one time mistake and the bac was 0.07 although I don't have any official documents regarding the bac. (I am trying my best to obtain these documents and the police report). After going to the AME I passed all the phsycial tests but they had to defer the application to the FAA for them to review it last week. My AME told me they will either issue a certificate or tell me what else I may need to do in order to get the medical. I was told they can take 4-8 weeks if not longer them to respond. Do you know what will the most likley outcome for me and what my best options are? Any advice and tips would be highly appreciated as I am very passionate about aviation and I can't think of doing anything else.

[cwsosby]

Dang, I am really nervous now. I scheduled a consult with an AME just to find out if he would pass me based on my past history before starting this mess.

[retread]

Have a 1961 Dallas sectional with AN stations. Looking for proper home/display