Frequently Asked QuestionsI hear the new regulations make a third class medical good for three years. If my medical was issued in 1997, is it valid for three years? The new medical regulations became effective September 16, 1996. A Third Class medical certificate issued on or after that date to an applicant who had not reached the age of 40 is now valid for 36 calendar months. Even if you turn 40 during the time the medical is in effect, it is still valid for 36 months. A First Class certificate is still valid for 6 calendar months, and the Second Class for 12 calendar months.
I'd like a copy of my medical application so I can use it as a check to make sure I don't leave anything off my next one. Can I get a copy from the AME? The new medical applications that went into effect October 1, 1999 now includes two copies of the application in addition to the original. One is for the AME record and the other one is yours. If the AME doesn't offer you one, be sure to ask for it. If you still aren't offered one, ask the doctor to turn to page 4, item 5 of the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. View the medical application at www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/8500-8.pdf.
Can I fly while using Prozac? All antidepressants are considered disqualifying once their usage is make known to the FAA. If you hold a current medical certificate and begin using antidepressants (or any other medication for that matter), you're required to abide by FAR 61.53, which, as amended August 4, 1997, prohibits the use of medications that makes you unable to meet the requirements for a medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation. Additionally, FAR 91.17 prohibits the use of any drug "that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety". Both these regulations place the burden on the pilot to voluntarily ground him/herself if there is a medical deficiency either because of symptoms or from medication side effects. It's up to you until the FAA is notified, and that happens when you complete your next FAA medical application and list any medications currently being used. If the med(s) is disqualifying, the FAA will notify by way of a denial letter. (www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/med_use.html)
I was taking antidepressants several years ago, but I'm not taking them currently. Can I get my medical back? The FAA medical application asks if you "currently" use any medication. If you have a past history of depression and have been off medications for at least ninety days, reissuance of a medical certificate is certainly possible. You will need to have a report from your treating doctor summarizing your history of depression, how it was treated, how long it was treated, and your current status. If the symptoms have not recurred and you remain off medication, the FAA will probably be able to find you qualified for a medical certificate. (www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/med_use.html)
The old vision regulations included an uncorrected distant vision requirement of 20/100. I had to get a waiver because I didn't meet that standard. The new rules have eliminated the uncorrected requirements, so I want to get the waiver removed. How can I do that? If you're up for a renewal of your medical soon, ask your AME to attach a letter requesting that the waiver be removed from your FAA medical file. Even if you don't ask, when the reviewers at the FAA take a look at your application, they will probably just remove it anyway.
I'm considering having LASIK surgery? Does the FAA allow that? The FAA allows all FDA-approved refractive procedures. The procedure that is most commonly performed is LASIK. The recovery time after having LASIK can be anywhere from a few weeks to several months. You shouldn't fly after the procedure until your vision has stabilized and the visual acuity meets the standards for the class of medical you hold. (www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/refractive.html)
The aviation medical examiner placed a color vision restriction on my medical. Can I get it removed so I can fly at night? There are procedures available to demonstrate to the FAA that a color vision deficiency does not adversely affect aviation safety. The preferable method is to pass one of about 15 different color vision tests that FAA allows. This procedure allows you to meet the color vision standard of FAR Part 67. The other alternative is to take a color signal light test at an FAA air traffic control tower. That test results in the issuance of a waiver, or Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA). Use this method as a last resort. (www.aopa.org/members/files/medical/colorvis.html)
Can I use my family doctor as my AME instead of having to see two different physicians? Yes, you can, but we don't always recommend that. Your AME is acting as a designated agent for the FAA. If you go to him/her as a patient with a medical problem that you don't yet wish to reveal to the FAA, you just did. Even though the AME may not pass that information on to the FAA, that does happen, and it creates a potential problem that you have to deal with sooner than you might normally have to. Since the AME/family physician plays different roles when you are a patient, the confidentiality that exists between the two of you may not exist any more because of the AME role. It's generally better to use your AME only for your FAA examination, and have a more comprehensive annual physical with your family practitioner, as well. The FAA exam is not intended to take the place of regular physician visits, although some potentially serious medical problems have been discovered by AME's in the process of doing the FAA physical.
Can I get a medical if I have migraine headaches? It is possible to obtain a medical certificate if you are not taking any disqualifying medications, the migraines respond to treatment, and they don't occur frequently. The new migraine medications such as Imitrex and Zomig are acceptable to the FAA as long as there are no adverse side effects.
I suffer from hay fever and allergies. What medications can I use that won't be a problem for flying? The FAA allows the use of non-sedating antihistamine medications, including loratidine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra). Other prescription or over the counter (OTC) drugs might also be acceptable if there are no adverse side effects. At the time of your next scheduled FAA medical examination, and if you're taking any medication(s), it's best to provide a report from your treating physician providing a summary of your condition and the medications being used. The AME can issue your medical at the time of examination provided the symptoms are under control, the medication is acceptable to the FAA, and there are no adverse side effects. You can view a listing of many commonly prescribed medications that the FAA accepts at www.aopa.org/members/databases/medical/druglist.cfm.
I need to contact the FAA and can't find their address. How do I write them? Use this address if sending information by regular mail: FAA Aeromedical Certification Division Use this address for express mail: FAA Aeromedical Certification Division |