flying after a head injury

[jana]

Is there a written rule in the FAR regarding the wait period after a severe head injury to returning to flying? Or, is the wait time determined by the flight surgeon?

[My Flight Surgeon]

It depends on the extent of the head injury. Thereis no hard answer here. The FAA says Head Trauma associated with:Epidural or Subdural Hematoma; Focal Neurologic Deficit; Depressed Skull Fracture; or Unconsciousness or disorientation of more than 1 hour following injury requires the airman Submit all pertinent medical records, current status report, to include pre-hospital and emergency department records, operative reports, neurosurgical evaluation, name and dosage of medication(s) and side effects and that the decision regarding the medical certificate Requires FAA Decision which means the documentation ahs to be sent to OKC. Processing such applications can be expedited by including hospital records, consultation reports, and appropriate laboratory and imaging studies, if available. Symptoms or disturbances that are secondary to the underlying condition and that may be acutely incapacitating include pain, weakness, vertigo or in coordination, seizures or a disturbance of consciousness, visual disturbance, or mental confusion. Chronic conditions may be incompatible with safety in aircraft operation because of long-term unpredictability, severe neurologic deficit, or psychological impairment.

So, if you were unconscious for 3 days after a motorcycle accident, that is different than being knocked out in a football game and waking up in 2 minutes. It is a matter of degree. Your AME should be able to give you some common sense advice regarding this. I have pilots who have had depressed skull fractures and are flying. It depends on whether or not there is any residual neurological deficit after the injury.

For severe head injury, it is safe to say a period of 6 to 12 months should elapse to allow any residual effects of the injury to subside.

*The italicized text is from FAA documents.