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MidlifeFlyer
Well-Known Member
The FAA has a history of being especially tough on anything medical it doesn't understand.
pilot4500
IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
This hits close to home for me. I was denied a medical a few years ago, did all of the tests that the FAA requested, and was still denied. They want me to do more expensive tests that my doctors say are not at all necessary. I had thought seriously about coming back to flying and making a run at the regionals, but medical issues keep me planted firmly in the IT field.
Seggy
Well-Known Member
That is not an accurate characteristic of the FAA medical certification branch.
This is a known issue with the FAA. It should be pretty simple.
"Go get these tests done, and if the results come back good, you can have your medical back"
But that's not what happens.
"Go get these tests, and if the results come back good, we'll reconsider saying no, in a different way."
You could be completely medically fit to fly, and still be denied. It scares the crap out of me going to the doctor for anything, for fear of having to report something on my medical. I had my AME almost deny me a medical for a minor car accident, because my attorney advised me to go to the ER.
"We're you on disability? Because you called out sick for this car accident, you may be denied your medical now. You know that, right?"
In some cases, it makes sense to deny someone a medical. In some cases, I'm just left shaking my head, thinking "WTF FAA? This makes zero sense."
"Go get these tests done, and if the results come back good, you can have your medical back"
But that's not what happens.
"Go get these tests, and if the results come back good, we'll reconsider saying no, in a different way."
You could be completely medically fit to fly, and still be denied. It scares the crap out of me going to the doctor for anything, for fear of having to report something on my medical. I had my AME almost deny me a medical for a minor car accident, because my attorney advised me to go to the ER.
"We're you on disability? Because you called out sick for this car accident, you may be denied your medical now. You know that, right?"
In some cases, it makes sense to deny someone a medical. In some cases, I'm just left shaking my head, thinking "WTF FAA? This makes zero sense."
Seggy
Well-Known Member
Sounds like an AME issue not a FAA issue.
The FAA Medical Branch does excellent work getting pilots back in the air.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
It's a classic example of government bureaucracy.
The guy in OKC reviewing your file isn't a specialist, and doesn't have time or money to consult with one. His main goal is to not get into trouble by approving someone who could possibly be incapacitated in the cockpit. So he denies anything that looks remotely suspicious.
I know several pilots who don't report anything on their medical application for this exact reason. "I'm in perfect health, here's $85, see ya next year."
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
Yes it is.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
Remind me again, where did you go to Medical School?
I'm in the same boat,I just don't have the financial resources to fight the FAA unfortunately
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Seggy
Well-Known Member
Seggy
Well-Known Member
The FAA Aeromedical Branch is there to help the pilot get back in the air.
Seggy
Well-Known Member
Per our texts, agree to disagree.
Seggy
Well-Known Member
I've been in a position since 2011 that has given me a little peak how the FAA Aeromedical Branch actually works. It's goal is to certify pilots to fly safely. Yourself?
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darrenf
resident denizen
Self admitted "little peak", but now he thinks he knows everything about it. Typical Seggy.
Seggy
Well-Known Member
Self admitted "little peak", but now he thinks he knows everything about it. Typical Seggy.
Well more than a little peek but I was being humble.
pullup
Homewrecker
How noble of you.
trafficinsight
Well-Known Member
I'm going to go with "it is, but...."
As the article says, a large share of denials are from people who simply don't provide what's requested.
I have a difficult medical but I haven't found anything to be out of the ordinary or unwarranted given what I know about the condition, but it's taken a fight to get it to where it is today. In the past it was yearly neurocognitive testing to the tune of 10k! Now it's just 3 months and 500$ heh.
In my experience aeromedical doesn't have anyone in it that wants to ground anybody, but there has to be documentation. They are behind the times a lot but they can be worked with, or if need be, wrestled to the ground
