Will FAA Medical Changes Impact You?

[@JosieTube]

Last year after a long layoff from flying, I went to an AME who had to send my records to the FAA after waiting 3 1/2 months I just contacted one of our state‘s US senators office and they put in a call to the FAA and within two weeks. I had my medical in my hands. Sometimes a squeaky wheel does get the grease especially if it’s coming from a US senator.

[@DavidDeWitt-id2bl]

I had heart issues 20 years ago. All my medical records were sent in August of 2023 still waiting. I’ve had no issues in 20 years. I was cleared by the cardiologist for delta airlines.i call every week stilled waiting

[@kevinpierce4605]

I had a heart attack in 2007. I have had no other issues since, and I take a blood pressure pill along with a cholesterol pill. Everything else was normal, good BP, pulse, and clear tests. When I went to get my medical the first time in 2020 of course it was deferred. The FAA made me get a heart cath done, as well as a nuclear stress test, and get a letter from my cardiologist stating he thought I was safe to fly before they would clear me. Of course I was only granted for 1yr. At the end of that first year I went back to renew my medical and was told I needed to do both of those tests over again. I ended up just letting my license go. I could kinda see needing a stress test every year but there’s no way I’m going through a completely invasive heart procedure every year to be able to fly. I just couldn’t justify it.

[@dsyncd555]

I'm so glad I can use a basic med. I hated dealing with them.

[@willjohnson211]

Hoping to get my medical back in the spring after a duster crash in June burned me up.

[@EricEsser]

This was useful and interesting, thank you so much! You guys are doing a great job with this channel.

[@TakingOff]

Appreciate it!

[@thomasyuhas]

Dan my son, that got me interested in aviation at the age of 65, had a history of ADHD 18 years prior to his AME application for a Class three medical. This was 6 years ago. He had been treated with medication. It took him almost two years and about $5000 to go through all the hoops . He needed his health history from the pediatrician and none were available since the Dr. had retired. He needed psychological evaluation and cognitive testing which was the big expense. He eventually got his third class medical and got to the point of solo flight and then a wife and three children came along! It was very interesting to hear Dr. Drew say that ADHD is still a big hangup since Covid. Great video. Thanks!

[@AllenPortman]

Hey I am 66 and starting back after a long delay to pursue my PPL I may drive up from Houston to see Dr. Sambell for my physical (medical) screening!!! Seems like a great person with a genuine personality!

[@TakingOff]

I would!

[@davidgreer1785]

I’m a Senior AME. There is no “on-line” color vision test that the applicant can do. What he’s talking about is the monthly fee the AME has to pay to the company (Waggoner) to use their color vision testing program. And by the way, after the FAA announced this, the company jacked the monthly price up to $45.99. Alternatively, the AME can buy a “lifetime access” for $999. The other 2 options cost multiple thousands of dollars. As AMEs, we have no option but to pass this mandated expense on to the applicants in the way of increased fees.

[@Donkey550]

Looking for a new flight Doc in DFW area. Glad to see a new doctor before making the appointment. Thanks.

[@jamesavery6015]

It pays not to tell the feds anything! Don’t tell them the last time you had a stomach ache or felt depressed.

[@glennwatson]

I didn't bother in the end with the FAA medical after they started asking for $3000 worth of tests for having seen a psychologist. CASA in Australia has a very different attitude about mental health, if you tick the box "no never seen anyone" they will prompt "You sure, it's completely normal to have seen someone" and then it was 0 issues getting a medical from them on the mental health front. Part of the issue having an Australian medical history, doctors document things different. Eg "adjustment disorder" is listed as mild depression here for example which has a very different meaning in the US.

[@KevinSmithAviation]

Excellent podcast Dan. I hope to see more reforms to the FAA medical, as well as expanding Basic Med even more. Keep up the excellent work. Safe skies my friend 🇺🇸🛩️

[@WolfPilot]

Thanks for this interesting discussion!

[@xyzaero]

For all people who don’t fly commercially, medicals should just be a consultation with a medical examiner to be made aware of the risks of your condition and you should be able to decide on your own as an adult and mentally sane citizen if you are fit to fly. If that is too much to ask, the medical should be at least performance based and certain medications should not just automatically kick you off the ticket. Just because some medication COULD cause certain severe side effects, it dies not mean that they do so in every person. If I can prove that opioids don’t affect my awareness and reaction time, then I should be allowed to fly! Nobody should be able to tell me if I can or can not fly my MD500 at low altitudes in empty areas like Utah, Montana, Arizona etc.

[@X85283]

Before we even get into opioids (which I have to say would be a really tough case to make considering they have the affect of putting people to sleep and slowing reactions), prescribed stimulant use should be addressed. A whole bunch of people can't easily get a medical because they had ADHD as a child and took Adderall or Ritalin, and even more people who would benefit from stimulants as an adult either don't take them, take them illegally (in the eyes of the FAA), or can't get a medical (if they are honest). If it is ok for a billion dollar, top secret, B-2 bomber pilot to be given stimulants (like Adderall/amphetamine) to take before/during combat missions, there is no reason why someone should not be able to take it while flying a Cessna. Or at the VERY least it should be treated like many other drugs with 24hrs after taking it before you can fly. Considering it enhances performance, alertness, and decision making in the vast majority of people who take it, it really makes no sense at all. All of the above I mostly just mean for non-commercial pilots, at least for now. I wouldn't have an issue with the guy flying the 737 I'm riding on taking a prescribed daily dose of Adderall or Vyvanse, though. Honestly if he or she needs it I would much rather that they be able to take it. Wild that it isn't allowed but 2 cans of 300mg Monster Energy Drink and/or 4 cups of coffee is totally fine. Both are stimulants but amphetamine (in sane, prescribed doses) has fewer side effects while being better at increasing alertness, performance, concentration.

[@jahbern]

Maybe if you were only permitted to fly alone in unpopulated areas. But if you’re flying over my house or have your kids in the plane, I would think it’s important to know you are healthy.

[@X85283]

@@jahbern a lot of disqualifying medication isn’t even prescribed because someone is unhealthy.

[@FlyGuy_Aero]

The #1 issue is AMEs & the FAA not allowing new applicants to cancel the appointment and turn it into a consultation. In these cases an applicant that is clearly going to be deferred, gets deferred without having their paperwork in order to cut down on back/forth time with FAA. Just stop the appointment and have them come back after gathering paperwork / maybe getting some tests done and then send all that in with the deferral. That alone would cut down paperwork & save 3-9months. My friend has been fighting for his medical for 5 years. Still flying as a CFI with no issues all that time. FAA is crickets. They steamrolled Bob Hoover and they steamroll people today.

[@robertkendall1802]

I totally agree that a medical should be allowed to switch to a consultation. It's been my dream to be a pilot since I was a kid. I finally got to a point in life to pursue that and when I showed up to the medical, the AME asked me if I had any questions after a 60-second exam, I asked him if he needed to see my compliance report for my CPAP. He didn't hesitate and said he had to defer me to the FAA. That event stopped my flight training and I've been struggling to get it resolved with the FAA. Part of the struggle is my primary care provider is the VA, difficult to get anything in a timely manner, and the other part is I work out of the country half the year. If the AME had offered me to receive a consultation and give me advice on how to proceed, I believe I would have been issued my medical by now and been able to continue on with flight training. That medical was 2 and half years ago. When the AME can collect $150 in a few minutes with next to zero risk, why would they bother doing anything that they can defer to the FAA? It's easy to pass that liability off and still get paid.

[@loveguitar2x]

reminder FAA is not happy until you're sweating at night worrying about your future in avaition.

[@paulis7319]

The FAA’s motto is “we’re not happy until you’re not happy.”

[@jeremyhill2243]

The FAA is extremely heavy handed. My 50 year old dentist had his 3rd class medical yanked because during a routine exam he answered yes he lost consciousness once when he was 17 years old when he was hit in the head with an elbow during a basketball game, he said he wasn’t sure if he lost consciousness, but it was very brief and his medical was yanked. It took him six months to get his medical back. I guess the moral of the story for him moving forward is lie your ass off?? No common sense. He’s just a private pilot too. It is for these reasons that I am so thankful. I am not an airline pilot. You stand to lose your profession at any moment. Also, don’t take viagra within 12 hours of taking that color vision test.

[@Mike-01234]

You are to answer the questions to he best of your ability. One should never speculate on what happened so long don't even remember the details of the event. If you have no records, and your parents have passed on who can remember every little bump and scrape you got as kid 50 years ago.

[@DavidDavid-jb1cy]

lol. Great last point

[@mrsmith7929]

If you close your eyes while Dr. Sambell is speaking you'll hear Mr. Garrison, mmmkay, and if you take a shot each time Dan mentions "new changes" you'll never make it to the end!

[@scottinohio701]

during covid my doc refered me to FAA and was denied for no reason. I sent my medical records to them ,they signed for them,then denied me for a medical problem I dont have!!!!!!!! Have been unable to contact them!!!!! What can I do?????

[@jimwright1094]

Contact your senator and congressman for help dealing with them. That's the only way to get anything done!

[@montemenasco8584]

I waited more than a year and because i have taken pain pills for my back I got a deny. I stopped the pain pills and got doc letter and still got delayed forever and deny. It is so crapy. I gave up and had a medical since 1986

[@TheStingrayDiver]

Maybe the backlog would not be there if the FAA answered the phone or emails

[@WorldTravelerCooking]

I was diagnosed with ADD (no H) back in my teenage years but haven't been treated in decades. I suppose this would be a case where a consultation before a medical certification appoiintment would be helpful.... Though admittedly the fact that I was type-2 diabetic for about 2 years (now under control with lifestyle changes enough that A1C and blood sugar profiles are normal) might be a more fun topic.....

[@FrankP846]

When I first applied for my Medical, I failed the color perception test, and have been restricted to day time flying only. I now have a Basic Med. Under the new regulations, can I retake the color perception test under the new system?

[@josed.3696]

I'm dealing with the same issue. Hopefully this question gets answered answer. 👍🏼 I have no problem seeing PAPI lights as well as distinguishing the colored lights on runways.

[@johnburgess2084]

At 16:25, ". . . at Arlington Airport so you can actually fly in to get your medical . . ." Isn't that a bit of a Catch-22? You have to already have your medical before you can "fly in". Though, I suppose, it's handy for doing a renewal.

[@TakingOff]

For your initial, yes, but if you’re over 40 or getting a first class or second class, you might need a medical as often as every six months. So when I go to renew my medical, I can fly into Arlington.

[@letsfly72x]

Or they are flying on a special, and trying to get their medical back.

[@skigolfmike]

So, if you’re on basic med and want to get a 1st, 2nd, 3rd class medical and it gets sent to OAK City and now it’s denied, you can’t use basic med now while you wait for a determination?

[@paratyshow]

👍✅ Tks Dan, great information!

[@sbukosky]

Never use an AME that is a specialist. I lost my 2nd class because my AME selection was an opthamalogist. He found something that I needed a waiver for. That ruined my airline hopes. That was over 50 years ago. My eyes have been fine.

[@justplanefred]

Does the doc recommend mock Medicals for those whom think they have some questionable things in their medical history?

[@michaelconnolly3960]

Great episode

[@ichhabramd]

Another AME here. It is worth repeating that pilots should make use of consultations with an AME before they formally get an exam, if there’s anything they would yes to on the application.

[@drbooo]

Nothing works with them. I showed up to my AME with everything including a passed Bruce stress test. and other blood test. they waited 2 years and told me that i needed to retest my results were over months old. It costs thousands to retest . I Finally got approved, but it was my local air med office. Also when it was approved ,there was only 2 months left sense the AME visit.

[@TheMathius78]

I'd really love to ask this AME about mild-to-moderate Ankylosing Spondylitis (a semi-rare arthritic condition). Very little info available about others who have dealt with this on their aviation journey.

[@Mike-01234]

Regulator adding more regulation not a surprise because they have to justify their higher salary's to justify more tax taken out of our pockets. They want you to end up denied so you give up and go away. They can say they reduced the number of deferrals they don't want to fix the problem which is a simple phone call could do. He doesn't mention that FAA will want $1000's of dollars of medical evaluation because insurance won't pay.

[@Autocross7]

It’s time to recognize that the FAA has become little more than an expensive alphabet agency that fails, on many levels, to do the job. It’s time to shutter it in its current form and revamp the organization from the ground up.

[@jimwright1094]

The FAA and in particular the FAA Medical system need a top to bottom reorganization. They do their level best to discourage aviation and destroy pilot's career. I had a problem with them due to a finding of A-FIB from a Medicare physical when I turned 65. After almost two years of jumping through hoops for these supposed medical professionals, I finally got my senator and representative involved. I was issued a third class dated back to when this all started so it was only good for less than a year and then they wanted me to go through all this again. Thank God for Basic Med! BTW, the reason the FAA wants to immediately deny any medical sent to them is to stop you from being able to use Basic Med to bypass them if you already have a medical and anything comes up with your renewal. You can not use Basic Med if your last medical was denied. You must have an approved medical, even if it's a special issue, to use Basic Med.

[@bernardanderson3758]

Should not have to go to Air Adventure to get cleared to get your medical back

[@AwestrikeFearofGods]

3:42 So...they can't trust the AME to administer the test fairly, but they can trust the pilot with a "take-home" test? What about cheating?

[@publicmail2]

Ecspecially vs Especially

[@pavelavietor1]

you are the best cinematographer, saludos

[@rogerdixon3700]

Watching this from the other side of the world, this guy is trying ( and succeeding) in driving people away.

[@gab1961]

I was on a 15 month wait to get my Class 3 deferral reviewed/restored. I finally got restored but instead of giving me a 24 months from the restore date, I was held to the original medical exam date of 15 months ago. Now I'm on Basic Med.

[@bernardanderson3758]

There’s more that’s needs to be done to make it better receive your medical back

[@JoeEngineersThings]

So if I have adhd I can’t be a pilot? I’m the guy you want in the cockpit, not the guy you want to keep out of it.

[@tburda823]

Yep, it's why I don't have my PPL. Being medicated changed my life for the better, and I'm not going to throw that away for a hobby and some regulatory bs.

[@RobtheAviator]

You can if you aren’t currently taking medication, I’m pretty sure.

[@MisterTechnologic]

You can but you can’t can’t be on methamphetamine derivatives for I believe two years prior. I have an ADHD diagnosis and an unrestricted third class medical, but it cost me like $4K

[@travisw9071]

because all monitors have the same exact correct color

[@TakingOff]

I thought about the same thing, meant to mention that

[@paulis7319]

That would be terrible to fly all the way to Arlington for a medical just to have it deferred or denied. 😂

[@airops423]

I'm switching to BasicMed and experimental for ultimate freedom from this nonsense.

[@drbooo]

They haven't even tried. there is a 2 year wait. They need to allow all 3rd class Med to the field AME period.

[@johnkilgore1055]

The FAA has long been on a mission to either eliminate or drastically reduce general aviation. Relatively minor and benign medical issues will ground you and cause a loss of your career. This is after a hundred and fifty thousand dollars of expenses for training and decades of experience with no accidents or incidents involvement. They’ve done the same thing with new aircraft certification. New technologies are excluded due to lengthy and costly certification requirements. So we’re stuck with flying 50, 60yr old or even older aircraft. The cost to maintain the older aircraft is exorbitantly expensive with replacement parts scarce or unobtainable. Then add in ridiculous training requirements for new pilots. There is a reason for a lack of qualified pilots.

[@puretrouble1603]

You have to do something with the heavy breathing in the mike!!

[@TheStingrayDiver]

The color vision standards is bs

[@mortekaieve4729]

Why?

[@TheStingrayDiver]

@ It is archaic. Light guns are hardly ever used, almost never. If they wanted an actual test, use the lights in operation, not ground a pilot for a slight deficiency that does not matter. In the case of the FedEx crash, the pilots all acknowledged 4 red, so the color vision failure post-crash had nothing to do with it. Add to that that if there are colorblind cheating pilots, the FAA is not testing them. They are all grandfathered in.

[@NEW_N18155]

Wait there understaffed, and they know there is pilots trying to get approved and waiting for a year plus. Get them help!

[@jimwright1094]

That's an excuse!

[@firepilot109]

Should be able to use your PCP instead of overpriced FAA Dr.

[@nea273]

If you think ADHD is bad. Try PTSD as a combat vet.

[@dafox0427]

or any type of anti-depressant/anti-anxity drug with corresponding diagnosis. They treat you as though you are some kind of alcoholic drug addict who has multiple DUIs on their record.

[@RogerAlan]

They won't impact me. When I was 19 I got caught with a gram or two of marijuana. When I went to get a PPL some 15 years later the FAA asked for all sorts of documentation about the case. I told them to go fuck themselves and did not continue flight training. I took the money I had left over and bought a BMW M3 with it.

[@worldtravel101]

👍

[@Mike-01234]

You would have been screwed make you go through HIMS and have attend AA. I saw a post on Pilots of America forum guy had a tattoo of a shot glass. AME deferred him to the FAA he ended up in HIMS and going to AA once a week over a tattoo.

[@RogerAlan]

@@Mike-01234 That's obscene. I can only speak for myself but there is nothing about my teenaged pot use that would preclude me from safely operating an aircraft. Fuck the FAA.

[@X85283]

@@Mike-01234 I find that story hard to believe as written, but if true that's insane. Laser removal is easier, cover-up even more easy (put a big 🚫 over it?), or even easier just tell the AME is is a small pint glass to remind you to hydrate, or a shot glass to remind you of your sobriety, etc. Absolutely insane that a tattoo of honestly any kind would be a dis-qualifier.

[@jamesretta5690]

Unnecessary, period!

[@bottom-gun]

Thank god for basic med. Shame you still have to go through the 3rd class to get it

[@MaxMustermann-nd4uy]

There is so much neurodiscrimination in the system.

[@captaindunsel2806]

Let crazy people fly! Stop denying our rights!

[@MaxMustermann-nd4uy]

@@captaindunsel2806 What a BS response. There is a lot of prejudice and mistrust towards anyone who has ever been near a psychologists office.

[@willibaldkothgassner4383]

Hoping Mr. Musk will look over FAA medical with DOGE!

[@satellitechaser]

You got to be kidding me. You do your own brain surgery too?

[@thomasmckendry8566]

Wait, ain’t you a liberal?

[@TakingOff]

Never. Very conservative.

[@jim-t4q]

I would vote for 60yo age cap. No-one older than that has any business flying over me.

[@nerfthecows]

You gotta make it like just yearly testing after 60 I work with a guy who is 72 and he's in better physical shape that most 40 year old and his reaction time is better than some in who is in their prime

[@captaindunsel2806]

What age cap do you suggest for holding the nuclear release trigger? 78?

[@gilbertojohnson6981]

As a passenger, if I was allowed to choose a captain on a commercial flight. I would choose a 60-65 year old captain with 30K hours over a 30 year old with 10K hours.

[@Mike-01234]

22 year old kid playing with his phone while driving rear-ended my neighbor totaled his BMW just put $3500 in service work into.

[@Sierranite]

The worst thing is for an AME to submit papers to the FAA knowing that it will be deferred. If the AME knowingly does that it is, in my opinion, unethical medical practice and should be reported to their State Medical Board/Commission . The applicant should specifically ask that the paperwork is either good to go and medical approved or, if it is not, then DO NOT submit it to the FAA.

[@wb6anp]

Unfortunately to get your appointment you have to go through the FAA its not just a phone call to the doctors office, You have to apply the medexpress, so the FAA knows your getting your exam and if the Doctor doesn't turn in the paper work the they are in trouble with the faa. If you want a consult first you can call that doctor on your own and make an appointment for a consult only.

[@clarencewiles963]

On the field flying in for your appointment 📅 is a great way to get your physical done ✅

[@davidgreer1785]

Assuming you pass … lol :)

[@garywinslow2973]

@@davidgreer1785 Or make sure you know how to use Uber...