Another Dui question

[boogie440]

I was convicted of a 3rd offense dwi which I reported on my 3rd class medical application. The FAA sent a letter stating they would reconsider my request after 1 year of documented sobriety pending a favorable psyc. evaluation, competion of treatment, etc.

While I did report my problems with alcohol, I did not report my problems with prescription drugs. I have been on a new medicine called Suboxone for the past 8 months, as recomended by my therapist. I will soon be completly tapered off of the meds.

How should I go about reporting this to the FAA? Should I just include it with the other information they requested? It's been a year since I applied for my medical. I know I will need to be off of all meds for at least 90 or 180 days, and have drug test results proving complete sobriety.

Do I even stand a chance? Will they hang me out to dry? I'm already on felony probation for the dui, I don't need federal charges also. I have begun a new chapter in my life, and I'd like to include aviation in it. I know I'll never have a career flying, but can I at least get a 3rd class S.I.? Thanks for your help!

[ljg]

If you want to pursue a 3rd class special issuance, I would highly recommend contacting Pilot Medical Solutions out of OKC. It will cost you some big bucks, but they have the expertise to lay out a roadmap that has the best chance of working out for you. Their website is http://www.leftseat.com. Moreover, good luck in your efforts toward recovery.

[athomeinthesky]

What is your age? that is probably an important factor

3rd offense DWI is not a good thing, as a pilot or in life in general, but I am not going to lecture you because I have made lots of my own mistakes.

What really troubles me is the Suboxone prescription, I have a few friends that have taken this in the past. Maybe this has been approved for additional uses but the way I know it is that it is used to get people off oxycontin or sometimes heroin. (I APOLOGIZE IF I AM WRONG)

Opiate addiction is probably the worse of all addictions and to be honest if your not really young (everybody knows young people experiment) I would say your going to get denied if it was something you did for a prolonged time.

3 DWI's show a pattern, along with a prescription to suboxone I think you would be a hard case to even approve a regular drivers license to.

There is a doctor on here that will be able to answer you better than I can, I am sure he will answer you soon.

Just remember no matter what the FAA decide you can always try in a few years and if you have stayed cleaned the decision could be positive.

[My Flight Surgeon]

You are going to have to report it when you supply ALL of your medical records and a psychiatric evaluation along with a neuropsych evaluation. The problem here is not only alcohol but multiple addictions. It is going to require an ultra clean record and excellent reports on the evaluations to be considered for a medical.

Good luck but this one will be an uphill battle.

[boogie440]

I'm 27, I've been in recovery for over a year now. I do have a valid DL, after a 2 year suspension.

[ljg]

boogie,

I just thought of something else. If you want to incorporate aviation into your life, you can always head out to your nearest reputable FBO and rent a plane with a CFI on board. If you explained your situation to a flight instructor, he or she would probably be happy to take you up every now and then and practice basic flying techniques with you. In this instance, the CFI would be exercising the responsibilities of Pilot-in-Command, and you would not be required to hold a medical certificate. Under no circumstances would you be allowed to exercises the duties of PIC, which includes soloing an airplane. However, this may allow you to incorporate aviation into your life while you work with CAMI towards reconsideration. If you elect to go forward, I would suggest disclosing *everything* to the FAA (others on here may disagree). Although sometimes it's painful, I feel it's much better to foster an attitude of working with the FAA, not against them.

Again, I wish you the best of luck with your recovery efforts.

[boogie440]

Hey ljg, First I'd like to thank you and My flight Suregon for your kind and helpful advice. I'm new to this forum and was reluctant to post this for fear of being chastised, which did not happen!!
I've logged about 29 hours flying with a CFI, in the manner which you stated. I'm currently on house arrest for the DUI so I'm unable to fly at all for the time being.
I've been working with a private therapist for one year now. She's going to help me provide all of the necessary information to the Feds. Thankfully, she understand's how much flying means to me, and will do all she can to help me acquire a S.I. Thanks again for your encouraging words!!!