Pilots with ADD
- Thread starter mrivc211
- Start date
A Life Aloft
Well-Known Member
AOPA has several articles regarding this:
http://www.aopa.org/search/searchresults.cfm
and
Medication Class — Attention Deficit Disorder Medications
Medication Class Description:
Current FAA policy does not allow persons who use any medications for ADD or ADHD to hold an airman medical certificates.
The FAA now has a protocol for evaluating pilots with Attention Deficit Disorder prior to issuing a waiver. Some individuals using medication have been waivered after neurocognitive testing shows adequate performance at least 72 hours off the medication. If the results of this testing is favorable, the pilot may be cleared to fly if no longer taking medications. Individuals with a reliable childhood diagnosis of ADHD may have to wait 90 days after stopping medication to take the required testing.
Some of the medications used for ADHD will cause a positive drug test in DOT drug testing programs. Strattera has a warning regarding possible liver damage.
VFS can assist with in coordinating required psychological testing and waiver petitions.
Medications Within Class:
Strattera (atomoxetine) Ritalin (methylphenidate) , Adderall (dextroamphetamine)
http://aviationmedicine.com/medications/index.cfm?fuseaction=medicationDetail&medicationID=15
http://www.aopa.org/search/searchresults.cfm
and
Medication Class — Attention Deficit Disorder Medications
Medication Class Description:
Current FAA policy does not allow persons who use any medications for ADD or ADHD to hold an airman medical certificates.
The FAA now has a protocol for evaluating pilots with Attention Deficit Disorder prior to issuing a waiver. Some individuals using medication have been waivered after neurocognitive testing shows adequate performance at least 72 hours off the medication. If the results of this testing is favorable, the pilot may be cleared to fly if no longer taking medications. Individuals with a reliable childhood diagnosis of ADHD may have to wait 90 days after stopping medication to take the required testing.
Some of the medications used for ADHD will cause a positive drug test in DOT drug testing programs. Strattera has a warning regarding possible liver damage.
VFS can assist with in coordinating required psychological testing and waiver petitions.
Medications Within Class:
Strattera (atomoxetine) Ritalin (methylphenidate) , Adderall (dextroamphetamine)
http://aviationmedicine.com/medications/index.cfm?fuseaction=medicationDetail&medicationID=15
My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
Be sure to talk with an AME who does 20+ physicals a month. They will have enough experience to be able to help you with the FAA administrative process.
@font-face { font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria Math"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; } I’m glad people are talking about this, but I’m wondering if anyone knows more about the FAA’s rationale is for these denials especially in light of FAA’s lifting of the anxiety meds ban.
As I see it there are two kinds of people who are diagnosed with conditions that are treated by the Ritalin family of drugs. The first (and more noticeable) group are the kids (usually boys) who are socially disruptive and hyper-active. The kind of kid that was putting the paper clips in electrical sockets in science class or unable to stay seated during an exam. There are many different degrees of these conditions and they clearly overlap in some cases with the group below but the kids tend to grow out of it. By the time someone with these problems reaches the age of 16 (to get a medical), you would think that if they have either outgrown it or they wont have the social skills to make it through training, the oral exam and the practical. The second group are kids, teenagers and adults who have a hard time concentrating on school-like tasks (i.e. reading and writing, listening to lectures, etc). If someone in either group can get through flight training without medication, how can their ADD be so strong as to be a flight risk?
Years ago I took ritalin, then later disclosed it to my AME, and went through the process to get a medical.
Does anyone know of any published information regarding the special issuance? I’m looking for some clarification. If the testing happens after the pilot has been off the meds for 72 hours, can they still take the meds, and fly only after they’ve been off them for 72 hours? Also why did they go with 72 hours. I remember the effects of Ritalin only lasting 12 hours at most. Lastly, are 2nd and 1st class medicals possible?
As I see it there are two kinds of people who are diagnosed with conditions that are treated by the Ritalin family of drugs. The first (and more noticeable) group are the kids (usually boys) who are socially disruptive and hyper-active. The kind of kid that was putting the paper clips in electrical sockets in science class or unable to stay seated during an exam. There are many different degrees of these conditions and they clearly overlap in some cases with the group below but the kids tend to grow out of it. By the time someone with these problems reaches the age of 16 (to get a medical), you would think that if they have either outgrown it or they wont have the social skills to make it through training, the oral exam and the practical. The second group are kids, teenagers and adults who have a hard time concentrating on school-like tasks (i.e. reading and writing, listening to lectures, etc). If someone in either group can get through flight training without medication, how can their ADD be so strong as to be a flight risk?
Years ago I took ritalin, then later disclosed it to my AME, and went through the process to get a medical.
Does anyone know of any published information regarding the special issuance? I’m looking for some clarification. If the testing happens after the pilot has been off the meds for 72 hours, can they still take the meds, and fly only after they’ve been off them for 72 hours? Also why did they go with 72 hours. I remember the effects of Ritalin only lasting 12 hours at most. Lastly, are 2nd and 1st class medicals possible?
My Flight Surgeon
Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner
1) There has not been a lifting of the ban on anxiety medications.
2) The 72 hours was defined by the half-life of the drug.
3) You cannot take Ritalin intermittently and fly. If you are off the medication, they may llo you to fly but if you take it the drug is DQ.
2) The 72 hours was defined by the half-life of the drug.
3) You cannot take Ritalin intermittently and fly. If you are off the medication, they may llo you to fly but if you take it the drug is DQ.