Does the 162 require a Medical?

killbilly said:
@Murdoughnut - you get bitten by the bug again? I thought you were done flying?
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Ehhhh, I don't know. There have been a lot of times lately when having my old plane would have been very handy for professional reasons.

Not sure I'm in a place to commit the necessary mental energy to it right now, but thought it might be cool to rent a 162 if I could get in one.

I spontaneously started suffering severe panic attacks about a year ago (imagine every symptom you've ever heard about a heart attack happening, and doctors telling you your heart is fine). Am on a pretty low dosage of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds which (knock on wood) have made them go away. Of course I knew when I decided to see the shrink that I was probably clipping my wings, but the situation had gotten serious enough to warrant it.

Naturally I would never consider getting in a plane by myself if I thought there were even a chance of it happening again.
 
drunkenbeagle said:
Quoted the the two relevant responses from the Federal Air Surgeon above. Both of them stated to consult your own private physician to determine if you have a medical deficiency that would interfere with piloting duties.

And there is a big difference here - how do you know that something would disqualify you from a 3rd class medical? How do you know that the FAA would not grant a special issuance? The only way to find out would be trying to get a 3rd class medical / special issuance. Which is not what the FAA's website says to do.

I don't think this system makes a ton of sense. And I think that the rules should be more clear. If the position of the FAA is that private doctors are on the hook for making the call, they should be publishing clear guidelines as well, which is not the case right now. Though my experience is purely anecdotal, nearly everyone flying under the rules that permit not needing a 3rd class medical is doing so because either they fear they wouldn't pass one, or don't want to pay the costs involved with a special issuance. That is at least the reality I see.
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Again, I point to 61.53, which is exactly what a fed would do. They leave just enough rope to hang ones self. If you're taking a med that would DQ you from flying anything with a 3rd class medical, chances are you would also be DQ'ed from operating as a sport pilot. Might there be exceptions, sure. But the chances are pretty slim. Name a medication you think would be okay to fly as a sport pilot that wouldn't be okay to use a first class medical. We're not talking about anything other than medication, as referenced by the OP.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Ehhhh, I don't know. There have been a lot of times lately when having my old plane would have been very handy for professional reasons.

Not sure I'm in a place to commit the necessary mental energy to it right now, but thought it might be cool to rent a 162 if I could get in one.

I spontaneously started suffering severe panic attacks about a year ago (imagine every symptom you've ever heard about a heart attack happening, and doctors telling you your heart is fine). Am on a pretty low dosage of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant meds which (knock on wood) have made them go away. Of course I knew when I decided to see the shrink that I was probably clipping my wings, but the situation had gotten serious enough to warrant it.

Naturally I would never consider getting in a plane by myself if I thought there were even a chance of it happening again.
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You're in the TPA area, right? If you find yourself in the vicinity of PBI, let me know. I'll take you up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Murdoughnut said:
Well my third class is expired - I haven't gone in to get it and had it denied or anything. I just haven't gone in to get it done because I know my meds are on the black list.

I had my medical revoked once about 10 years ago for something entirely unrelated - was on a stomach pill for GI issues. My AME issued a medical and then had the FAA come back and send me a "send it back" letter.

Just wasn't sure how the whole LSA thing worked. It's not a huge deal, I may just go up and fly with @drunkenbeagle just to dust off the cobwebs, just wanted to see if I'd be qualified to take a 162 up since the local school has one.
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If your last medical was not denied, you should be able to exercise your PPL with a valid DL in a LSA.
 
Here is a lengthy write up of using a DL in lieu of a medical for sport pilots. From the sounds of it, the FAA basically considers it an "honor system." Basically, just because you hold a valid DL, doesn't necessarily mean you can act as PIC in an aircraft that doesn't require a medical certificate if you have a condition that would require either a special issuance or waiver.


https://www.leftseat.com/sport.htm
 
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