new pilot with med question

B

b17

Well-Known Member
I am a new pilot with only 1 hour logged in my logbook. My instructor told me to get a medical right away because soloing comes quicker than people think. My question is that I have a DUI from July 2006 where I blew a .15. I was 19 and will be the first to admit it was a horrendously dumb move. I completed an educational program as required to get my drivers license back. Will this be a problem with the timing of things? I do not want to get my medical deferred for several weeks and forget all of my training while waiting for a response from the FAA. It is the only trouble I have ever been in. I have never applied for a medical. Also, is this DUI considered "substance abuse" in the eyes of an AME? thanks for any help!
 
Yes, a DUI is substance abuse.

The FAA requires the AME to review the police arrest report (the narrative one a well as the handwritten one) as well as the court records foraALL DUI's. An alcohol of 0.15 requires a) all of these records plus a personal statement regarding your alcohol use as well as regarding this incident be submitted to the FAA and b) the alcohol level of 0.15 requires the AME defer the issuance of the medical certificate to the FAA especially since it has been less than 5 years). If ALL of the documentation is submitted without he flight physical application, I would expect you to hear from the FAA in about 6 weeks.

As a side note, an alcohol level of 0.20 or greater requires the entire file be forwarded to the Federal Air Surgeon in Washington.

FYI: three DUI's will result in a final denial for a medical certificate.
 
Thank you for the help! So just for clarification, I will have to check yes to question 18o, and 18v, in the 8500-8 form and submit the statement/records to the AME and the FAA. Can I send my paperwork to the FAA before I go to see the AME?
 
b17 said:
Thank you for the help! So just for clarification, I will have to check yes to question 18o, and 18v, in the 8500-8 form and submit the statement/records to the AME and the FAA. Can I send my paperwork to the FAA before I go to see the AME?
Click to expand...

Answer 18v. Take the info to the AME. The FAA will not look at it until you have a medical in the system.
 
I can't help at all on the medical side (Thanks, Dr. Forred!!), but with your training, I can make a comment or two. I had a student who had their medical deferred for something. While we were waiting on her medical, we got to the point where I would have usually soloed her. Since we didn't have the medical, I told her we would just proceed with training as if she had soloed, and we started on post-solo training.

There's no reason to stop training while you're waiting on the paperwork unless you are just really nervous that it won't go through and you'll have wasted the money.
 
The FAA would probably answer yes. It really depends on the amount consumed and the frequency for diagnosis though.
Click to expand...

See I thought substance abuse was defined as

"b) No substance abuse within the preceding 2 years defined as:
(1) Use of a substance in a situation in which that use was physically hazardous, if there has been at any other time an instance of the use of a substance also in a situation in which that use was physically hazardous; "

That is directly from the FAA. So according to that a single DUI or underage consumption shouldnt be considered substance abuse because there is no previous substance abuse that was physically hazardous. It wouldnt be till you got your second DUI that it would be substance abuse under that. Or am I missunderstanding something?
 
You are missing something. The political climate has changed and the Federal Air Surgeon as well as the NTSB have tightened up on any substance misuse. Just a fact of life from now on out.
 
Seems like its time for them to rewrite their guidelines then. Whats the use of having guidelines that dont apply anymore. Seems like a good aviation lawyer could have a field day in court with this if they ever tried to denie someone after one DUI when their own guidelines say otherwise.
 
Guidelines are not cast in stone. You will also note that all of the medical regulations are at the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon.
 
OK, so I have obtained the police report, original arrest report, BAC test, court judgement, and have prepared my statement. Is there anything else I need? I want to be as prepared as I can for this
 
b17 said:
thanks for all the help doc! this forum is awesome. very helpful!
Click to expand...


Yes....this forum is very helpful.

Doc, Let me ask a question. I've finished my 6 month IOP that the FAA said that I needed to finish. The AME in Miami, (a HIMS AME), that is closes to me states that I needed to be in an aftercare program as well, which I am. My question is....

Is it too late for me to use your services or would you advise me to stick with the AME in Miami?

I am about 60 days from meeting the requirements of the FAA/NTSB of having 2yrs of "credible medical evidence" of my abstinence from alcohol and 15 days from being 2 years sober.


atp
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
Stick with the HIMS AME you have been seeing. The FAA does not like to see people change without a real hardship.
Click to expand...


That's the thing Dr. Forred, I haven't had a visit with them ever. My entire FAA medical file was sent to them and the Medical Administrative Assistant or Office Manager faxed me some info on the process and requirements of an SI......but that's it. I've never visited their office.

It's just so hard to get someone to on the phone or to return my phone calls to clarify information on the SI process. It's frustrating.:mad:




atp
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
Make an appointment!
Click to expand...


Just got off the phone with the "Comptroller of the Currency".....my Dad.:)

You'll be hearing from me next week so that you will know exactly where I am in the process and what additional services I will need.

Looking forward to working with you!!!!

Phoenix....here I come.:cool:




Marcus
(atpwannabe)
 
You misunderstood my post. You should stick with the AME in Miami. The FAA does not like to see people change AMEs in these kinds of cases. Theay are suspicious of "game playing" and your file will be reviewed even more closely.

DO NOT change AMEs in this kind of situation!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top