Amateur Hour/ Career Change/ OVI(Dui) Question

NewGuyBob

New Member
On March 17, 2009 I was arrested for driving intoxicated and landed myself in court with a well deserved OVI (that's Ohio's DUI) to which i pleaded guilty to. No way around it, I was in the wrong and to this day, 10 years later, it continues to be my crowning moment of stupidity and the worse decision of my life. I sincerely regret my lack of judgement at that time and have abstained from alcohol as well as anything and everything potentially intoxicating (i don't do drugs) since. My question begins simply: does this mistake remove me from any chance of being a career pilot?

What about a medical cert? 1st class?

I was 21 then and 31 now. I have lived on the straight and narrow ever since and this OVI is it. Is this something time and maturity can heal in regards to the aviation industry?

Thank you to any and all that reply. I also apologize if I'm going about this the wrong way. Super new...to it all....

Thankd
 
I'm not an AME. You need to find an AME that can provide you will a special issuance medical. Then you'll have to go through the HIMS program. Then maybe you'll get a class one. I'm not an expert at airline hiring but its possible for you to get a job with an airline IF the hiring environment remains the same as it is now, which is unlikely. Or you could possibly get a job with a 135 or 91 flight department that was having trouble hiring. Or you could possibly work as a CFI if there weren't any other applicants that didn't have a DUI.

I hope this helps and I'll do my best to answer you questions. I'm not trying to sound judgmental because there by the grace of god go I and all. But really, you're asking to climb an awfully tall mountain.
 
I'm not an AME. You need to find an AME that can provide you will a special issuance medical. Then you'll have to go through the HIMS program. Then maybe you'll get a class one. I'm not an expert at airline hiring but its possible for you to get a job with an airline IF the hiring environment remains the same as it is now, which is unlikely. Or you could possibly get a job with a 135 or 91 flight department that was having trouble hiring. Or you could possibly work as a CFI if there weren't any other applicants that didn't have a DUI.

I hope this helps and I'll do my best to answer you questions. I'm not trying to sound judgmental because there by the grace of god go I and all. But really, you're asking to climb an awfully tall mountain.

Not much experience with this, but pretty sure he won't need an SI. The AME will likely defer to OKC, and he will have to submit a ton of paperwork + a written statement. They may ask him to also get evaluated by a specific addiction-assessment specialist. I've not known other pilots to have to go through a HIMS program unless they were already at a 121 carrier, but maybe that's just my ignorance showing.

@NewGuyBob - you might consider joining AOPA and then talking to their medical cert division.
 
Hi NewGuyBob,

It isn't necessary to go to a HIMS AME at this point. You can apply through a regular AME for regular issuance, you will need to check "Yes" on box 18v. The FAA is more concerned about your dependence/abuse of substances than they are about punishing you for a bad decision. See the AME guidance below.


If the BAC on your arrest was under 0.15 that is particularly favorable in a certification decision.

You should gather as much information about the arrest as possible before you apply/see the AME. If the AME feels they can't determine you no longer have a substance abuse issue they will defer the application to the AMCD who will ask for prior records anyway, so having the material prepared in advance is recommended. Take a look at the following flowsheet to give you some idea of the information you should be ready to supply:


Best Regards,

Aaron Florkowski, MD
FAA Designated Aviation Medical Examiner
www.kansascityame.com
 
I'm not an AME. You need to find an AME that can provide you will a special issuance medical. Then you'll have to go through the HIMS program. Then maybe you'll get a class one. I'm not an expert at airline hiring but its possible for you to get a job with an airline IF the hiring environment remains the same as it is now, which is unlikely. Or you could possibly get a job with a 135 or 91 flight department that was having trouble hiring. Or you could possibly work as a CFI if there weren't any other applicants that didn't have a DUI.

I hope this helps and I'll do my best to answer you questions. I'm not trying to sound judgmental because there by the grace of god go I and all. But really, you're asking to climb an awfully tall mountain.

This is a little harsh a view. I know two guys personally with DUIs and got on with majors before the current hiring wave. It’s possible. Just make sure to keep your nose clean and work hard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yeah really, a dui 10 yrs ago and abstaining ever since and acknowledging how bad it was is not a tall mountain to climb compared to the guys who get in the cockpit drunk or atc girls who get on position drunk and everyone is all bless their heart they have an illness and deserve sympathy and should keep their job regardless of number of incidents.:rolleyes:
 
I'm not an AME. You need to find an AME that can provide you will a special issuance medical. Then you'll have to go through the HIMS program. Then maybe you'll get a class one. I'm not an expert at airline hiring but its possible for you to get a job with an airline IF the hiring environment remains the same as it is now, which is unlikely. Or you could possibly get a job with a 135 or 91 flight department that was having trouble hiring. Or you could possibly work as a CFI if there weren't any other applicants that didn't have a DUI.

I hope this helps and I'll do my best to answer you questions. I'm not trying to sound judgmental because there by the grace of god go I and all. But really, you're asking to climb an awfully tall mountain.
This is totally incorrect. As others have stated your regular ame will deal with this issue. The .15 will dictate a few things. An event like this (as you stated) will not stand in the way of obtaining a medical nor a job at any airline.
Good luck!
 
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