Aviation Medical Discussion with an AME - InTheHangar

(Please help us grow, Share and Subscribe!). Dr. Drew Sambell (sambellpilotph... ) joins Dan and Christy to talk all things Air Medical including questions from the studio audience.
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[@Mike-01234]

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.

[@bonbondesel]

It's so weird !

[@golfnovember]

Honestly, I believe truck drivers deal with more medically and physiologically than airline pilots. Honestly, the entire FAA medical system requires a MAJOR OVERHAUL.

[@Mike-01234]

@@golfnovember Supposedly someone from the aeromedical division was at Oshkosh have a discussion about all this. They admitted even by their own standards that it was broken. 10 years ago at least you would get a response within a few weeks what they wanted usually a deferral was worked out in less than 3 months. I did get my class 3 but cost me $4200 and over a year back and forth with them. My suggestion is forget about what happened more than 3 years ago. No one will admit it that is what most do. They can't prove you can't remember what doctor told you 5 or 10 years ago, or what happened 45 years ago. Most who get into trouble are either on disability and collecting a check or had a DUI didn't report it.

[@ConcreteBombDeep]

I been reading alot of horror stories like yours. In hindsight do you wish you never said anything about bumping your head?

[@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

[@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!

[@ecossearthur]

Good news, finally on the website 3rd class medical with exemption now in the mail! 😉

[@williamwashington6735]

How's your flying going?

[@UnionPacific1997]

@@ecossearthur waiver for what?!?

[@ecossearthur]

@@UnionPacific1997 Class 3 medical due to the number of meds that I take. Waiver granted...

[@UnionPacific1997]

@@ecossearthur what illness

[@paulpeters7840]

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.

[@mitchcohen9945]

I have the special issuance for OSA. All 6 hrs don’t need to be in a row. On occasion I work trips with only 4 hrs sleep opportunity. When I get home I sport the mask and get the missing 2 hours. It is possible to get this AND use a Cpap. Cpap isn’t the only solution. There are four solutions, but Cpap is the least obtrusive of the bunch.

[@mauriceevans6546]

You can also look into light sport which does not require a medical

[@paulpeters7840]

@@mauriceevans6546 since I took my medical and have been denied I am not able to go light sport without a valid medical. If I had skipped it altogether I would have been fine.

[@mauriceevans6546]

@@paulpeters7840 you can easily get your private pilot glider rating with powered endorsement and you will be able to fly a pipistrel sinus, with no medical, 180000ft, at night and out of the country. Although I am a sport pilot, I will be heading down to Florida to get my rating, separate from my sport and I will have all the privileges I just mentioned outside of sport and it does not matter about your medical rejection. Rand Vollmer is my instructor in Florida and I suggest you reach out to him. I have diabetes and want to apply for special issuance, but I will wait until I get the PPGR and that way if they deny me, I will be able to fly with the glider rating

[@Mike-01234]

@@paulpeters7840 Doesn't have to be 6 hours continuously I don't sleep 6 hours all at once I get stuffed up wearing the CPAP as long as it's any part of the 24 hours it records at that day. I passed my medical.

[@trdshortbus8009]

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.

[@Mike-01234]

Probably your only choice hopefully the FAA raises the weight soon that's the only issue I have with light sport.

[@NEW_N18155]

😮I have an FB page for Diabetic Pilot's

[@trdshortbus8009]

@@Mike-01234 the FAA won’t do anything to make it easier for us even though they have a statement on their website stating that they consider diabetes a “common thing” these days. The FAA is an absolute joke

[@FJ-gk3jb]

I am 42, the hoops I would have to jump through make me sick and depressed... I'm with you, getting my light spot certificate especially since MOSAIC will make legacy aircraft available for LS pilots. The FAA legal department is off their rocker, if anyone needs medication it's FAA legal!

[@connornolan4432]

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.

[@TakingOff]

Ouch.

[@mrmakaiwi]

Dude. That scares the crap out of me! I have been off all my meds for a while. Not even prescribed them anymore!

[@UnionPacific1997]

How did go

[@UnionPacific1997]

How did it go

[@connornolan4432]

@UnionPacific1997 still corresponding with the FAA, sent several letters back and forth with them asking for various info about my diagnosis, it's ridiculous that in 2023 the only way the FAA can communicate with you is over physical mail, luckily they didn't make me get the expensive 6 hour long evaluation, but they didn't specify what kind of evaluation to get either, they essentially just said "get an evaluation" so I just had to keep calling a bunch of psychiatrists until I found one that was willing to do such a vague test, most psychiatrists were just very confused by what I was asking them to do. Eventually found one that sat down with me for about an hour and just took some notes while talking with me. The notes basically say that my ADHD diagnosis was a misdiagnosis and I sent those notes over to the FAA, that was about 3 months ago and haven't heard anything back yet so fingers crossed that they decide to let me fly.

[@debbiegailstuart1282]

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.

[@TakingOff]

Glad he got cleared.

[@Mike-01234]

The FAA hates people who have had any kind of mental illness ever. It's because of the FAA medical system less likely a pilot with depression would go to a doctor and ask for help because they know the FAA will punish them. I wonder if that had anything to do with that German pilot who crashed airliner full of people does the German FAA work the same way??

[@JohnCarrFitness]

This was a very helpful. Thank you!

[@1dgram]

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.

[@AVD-og9fr]

Late to the show.

[@1dgram]

That's for those that haven't reached their 40th birthday of course.

[@AVD-og9fr]

Just had my 40th and getting ready to start my ppl journey. Thanks and be well.

[@1dgram]

@@AVD-og9fr Best of luck and safe skies!

[@glendavis1266]

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.

[@Mike-01234]

Expect lot of money spent on your part, and years of waiting because each time you reply with what they want they will ask for further testing. It takes them 3 months to even read a letter you send them. You can't talk to the person at the other end all done with letter writing. I can see why most people just forget what happened years ago when they fill out the paperwork.

[@gdavis8588]

@@Mike-01234 Exactly. I was deferred and now denied due to a genetic blood vessel disorder. I had a 3rd class before diagnoses. Never any issues passIng out or becoming ill. Now that I’m 64 there’s no point in fighting it. I should have withheld information.

[@n3roc]

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?

[@TakingOff]

I would contact AOPA medical and see what they can advise you or help you with.

[@KCCardCo]

I went though the same thing. The evaluation is only good for 90 days. The FAA got mine but they wanted another from a psychologist and it went nowhere delaying everything. My $1900 evaluation was money thrown away. I went through an intermediary and they didn't do anything helpful. Lost money on a crooked doctor in Illinois who never did the record evaluation.

[@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. 🤘🇺🇸🛩️

[@Wild_Bill57]

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.

[@kaypie3112]

How accessible are the medical insurance codes to wandering eyes at the FAA? Do you know? Would they be available via a simple online search of some data base somewhere or would they (FAA) need to make a request for them? Any insight would be appreciated.

[@SailorGerry]

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

[@billmoran3812]

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.

[@TakingOff]

Oh man. I would call AOPA.

[@PatFitzhugh]

There is now a form for Type 2 controlled by medication (Metformin is acceptable). It asks very basic questions about medication(s) taken, A1C, whether you've experienced hypoglycemia, and a few other basic things.). I believe A1C needs to be

[@OnceShy_TwiceBitten]

go to another doctor, transfer the medicals. tell the old one fuck off.

[@randominternet5586]

Most normal doctors have no clue and don't want the liability / risk of interacting with the FAA themselves - they know they don't know all the rules and weirdness. Go through your AME for stuff with the FAA because they know what to expect.

[@jasonhurdlow6607]

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

[@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.

[@Ava44322]

Whatever it is you want it corrected or under control before you get there because the delays and paperwork that comes with being denied is ridiculous

[@cwsosby]

@@Ava44322 I’m going to do my best to get them everything they could want initially upon the deferment by the AME and see where it goes. They already told me during the consult they’d have to defer it due to a few incidents 20+ years ago.

[@AshishBalajiR]

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.

[@TakingOff]

I would think they would issue it. But AOPA could be a huge help for you. AOPA.org

[@JosephMullin]

What if you are 71 and want to get my licence for the first time. If I was diagnosed with AFIB 2 years ago and I am on Blood pressure meds. Am I dreaming about being a pilot?

[@gtm624]

No. Because no matter what if you have a drivers license you can get a sport pilot license. Does have restrictions but no matter what you can be a pilot and fly. Special issuance id say at least 95% success rate. I’d say just go for it and see what happens. If not now, when. Chase your dreams!

[@ecossearthur]

68 years young and doing my first time also. My issue is the number of drugs that I am taken due to elevated BP. I passed everything, but due to the number of drugs, it's been differed to the FAA for a waiver...

[@gtm624]

@@ecossearthur good for you! I love hearing people chase their dreams or hit the bucket list items. At any age. It’s never too late till your dead and it’s a long wait to get back. I’m a deferral also. I’m just grateful for the process. Because there was a time where there was no special issuance medical. It was just no. Also LSA category I believe is changing in the near future. To include a lot more planes like 172s and many trainers.

[@ulbuilder]

Be careful, if you get denied a medical you cannot fly light sport. If you pass a medical, have an expired medical or never get one you can fly light sport with a driver's license.

[@JosephMullin]

@@ecossearthur \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\I only take 3 for my BP. I wonder how they feel about plant based supplements Not marijuana based.

[@RH-xr8ms]

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

[@Mike-01234]

That is so true.

[@gtm624]

I have a question. Not pertaining to any particular individual but if someone applied for a medical and got denied even with deferral. Would that disqualify you from being able to get a sport pilot license?

[@tomcorwine3091]

I’m pretty sure the answer to that is yes.

[@andyehret1506]

😊

[@kaypie3112]

Yes

[@gtm624]

Thanks for the replies. My friend lost his medical for sone by pass surgeries but he’s about to go for his medical again. He was looking into motor gliders for a while.

[@glennwatson]

Happy 40th Dan coming up. Hoping you're looking forward to becoming a student pilot in 9 years. Here's a question I doubt can be answered easily. Would a Class 2 Basic in Australia be recognised in the US? Legislation wise it's considered a Class 2 Medical here with restrictions attached. (Class 1 for commercial, Class 2 for private here)

[@TakingOff]

Good question. Let me check

[@glennwatson]

@@TakingOff For clarity I plan on using the FAA 61.75 scheme, not convert my foreign license to a FAA certificate.

[@Mike-01234]

@@glennwatson I thought the medicals are accepted worldwide how could anyone fly an airplane from country to country. I do know basic medical, and light sport is not allowed outside the US maybe the Bahama's.

[@glennwatson]

@@Mike-01234 yeah. My medical is a class 2 basic medical. It's modelled after the basic med in the states. For clarification also class 2 is private ops class 1 is commercial level, class 3 is controllers only, which is slightly different to the states.

[@howardhham]

I’m confused. I have been out of flying since the 90’s. My last medical (3rd class) was before the cutoff date for a basic med qualification. My question is having a license can I still fly on the sport pilot driver’s license without getting a new medical? Said differently, can I fly as a sport pilot without getting a class 3 medical?

[@kaypie3112]

You have to have held at least a third-class medical since 2006, I believe, in order to qualify for basic-med. So, if I understand correctly what you are saying, Your last issued medical expired before 2006- you would NOT qualify for basic med. You will need to get a third-class medical to fly “sport” aircraft. Sorry for the bad news. CFII here.

[@dbartolett]

@@kaypie3112 For the sport pilot certificate, you must: Be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old if you are applying to operate a glider or balloon). Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. Hold at least a third class medical, or hold a current and valid U.S. driver's license for operations in light-sport aircraft other than a glider or balloon.

[@kaypie3112]

@@dbartolett right. I understand all of that. But Hal Ham was asking about basic med. a pilot does not qualify for basic med if he/she has not held at least a third class medical since 2006.

[@1967retread]

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

[@randallmoore8017]

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?

[@theeelzzz]

I consulted with my AME about my sleep apnea diagnosis and use of CPAP. She said that as long as we submit all the documentation regarding the diagnosis and use of CPAP, we should be fine.

[@sirjosefofhessen4527]

How did a class 1 med I applied for be affected by my 2 year DOT as CDL Class A holder and age 44 at date of med exam

[@kaypie3112]

I would say that the two separate medicals would not necessarily affect each other. However, I would also say that whatever you put on that CDL Class A medical application can be very easily cross-referenced with your Class 1 FAA medical application by the FAA. ANY discrepancies between the two, from the standpoint of medicines being taken or any diagnoses you disclosed on the CDL application could potentially get you in trouble with the FAA. Be very careful.

[@dwighttaylor5107]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 so awesome thanks.

[@Junkawayllc]

What about headaches, would that effect your medical?

[@TakingOff]

Probably not but I would call AOPA and ask.

[@Junkawayllc]

@@TakingOff Thank you, I appreciate the fast response. Have a Blessed night…

[@kaypie3112]

Hi James, CFII here. The answer is that it depends. Did you go to any doctor to be treated for them? If so, what was the diagnosis? Did he or she put you on a medication for them? If you didn’t go to the doctor at all, then you do not have to report the headaches on your FAA medical application. It’s none of their business. If, however, you did see a doctor for the headaches, it’s a legal game-changer. If that’s the case, you would be legally required to report that visit, along with the diagnosis you received on your next FAA medical application. I hope this helps.

[@SulaimanTheWordSmith]

Is the doctor available for a counsultation over the phone.

[@TakingOff]

I'd reach out via his website (link in the description) and see.

[@popsisone]

Will a 10mg high blood pressure med disqualify you for 3rd or basic med?

[@Hedgeflexlfz]

no

[@andrewsambell2548]

Whats the name of drug?

[@popsisone]

@@andrewsambell2548 Lisinopril

[@andrewsambell2548]

Allowed. Need a letter from your Dr stating its under good control. The AME can issue

[@Mike-01234]

It has to be under 155/95 anything higher then that your will be denied told to get it under control with meds. They do allow most common BP medication there is a list of drugs they allow it's not a big deal really. Their numbers IMO are really high this is how crazy the FAA is. In 2010 doctors changed the standards to anything over 130/80 was no longer normal. Could you imagine if someone shows up at a doctors office with 155/95 he would be put on BP meds instantly, but an airline pilot if he is 150/90 he good to fly 300 people around the sky. The FAA is lax on the actual physical it's all about the persons history. The guy who never goes to a doctor he likely will pass their basic physical he could be a flying time bomb. While airlines have 2 pilots those guys end up in Part 135 helicopters that would be a disaster usually single pilot.

[@cmritchie04]

is basic med cover by most health insurance companies?

[@Mike-01234]

No you have to pay out of pocket usually $100-250 prices are set by the doctors but you can even get one from a Chiropractor if they are state licensed. Cities with a lot of doctors offering it price could be lower. You don't want to go to an AME for this even if they offer it because an AME represents the FAA.

[@bradzeigler]

@@Mike-01234 Not necessarily. Many health insurers will cover an annual wellness physical. Many people (myself included) will have their doc sign off the BasicMed CMEC at the same time.

[@kevincloinger3328]

PrepMed on channel when?

[@jerrytomblin179]

Our ER Doctor couldn't wait to get his Pilot license, a Cessna 210 was his dream, most of his Doctor friends were pilots from Western States, he had several close calls, minor incidents he said, he was a great Doc, but not a great pilot, he tried to fly below the clouds, he was instrument rated, the FAA still has no answer to what went wrong, maybe in 3 years we will have an answer...

[@commanderpip8350]

What happened to him?

[@jerryd6680]

He was killed, flew into a 2200 foot mountain, it was about 4000 feet high, he was trying to stay in a valley with low visibility and the mountain on both sides, he could have flew up and over but was not that confident with his instrument rating.

[@ulbuilder]

@@jerryd6680 An instrument rating is useless if you don't keep your skills sharp by flying on them regularly. This seems to bite a lot of pilots in the arse.

[@Mike-01234]

@@jerryd6680 4000 feet not high in CO where I live that is a bump in the ground scud running is foolish people do it all the time. I don't get flying at night or IMC really in a single engine I like looking down seeing stuff I just skip those days wait soon enough it's clear again. I live in south west CO so we have lot of clear days. In the winter if it's cloudy or snowing I just head out for some cross country skiing or downhill if I can't fly. Probably why I never bothered to get IFR rated I knew I wouldn't keep up proficiency because I don't like flying in it. I don't even like driving on our highways at night deer and Elk pop out of the darkness kill you dead.

[@natielou143]

Please tell your “friend” happy birthday 🎉🎈🎁🎂🎊 for me.

[@e2a2j]

Does anyone have a quick answer to color blindness and your medical? I looked for it in the past and struggled finding a straight answer. This is a very informative thread, thanks everyone!

[@ronbo422]

Same here. I can't see some of the numbers in those stupid dot pictures (reds & greens) but I can see reds and greens in the real world with Absolutely no problem. One AME, in Arlington, Texas, took me outside with his book....and I was able to see the numbers!! His explanation...."You need natural light. We don't fly airplanes inside buildings." My recent AME (in Alabama) didn't take the last AME's observation and comments, as I explained to him. This guy simply turned on an extra lamp in the room! Seriously? His solution was for me to go get a waiver at the FSS closest to me.

[@bitlong4669]

@@ronbo422I heard about the natural light. Also the slides been designed to work in a very well lit environment. So I would push for outside / very bright light if inside.

[@NEW_N18155]

😅AAM is a joke. Having to fight for 3 years now. 8 months since i sunmitted my latest paperwork and.its been in final review since April. Just excuses from eveyone.

[@musman2379]

Can a person get 1st class medical, if he has high blood pressure (white coat syndrome)?

[@mrmakaiwi]

White coat syndrome is no joke….I wanna know the answer to this as well!