Coming Clean

[Commercial Pilot]

I have not told the FAA of my medical problems. Now I want to confess that I am actually taking a med for high blood pressure and that I use a CPAP for sleep apnea. Blood pressure is now well controlled and I am sure I can pass a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test for the apnea. Since I have to include the original diagnostic test results, the date of that diagnosis will be apparent. What will the FAA do about this when I turn the paperwork into the AME/FAA?

[My Flight Surgeon]

The hypertension is not a big deal. You just need to provide what the FAA wants to the AME and he can issue a certificate. Here are the requirements: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...nsion/initial/

The sleep apnea will require a Special Issuance. Just gather all of the data from the treating physician, including the sleep study and a recent (within 90 days) note from the sleep doc stating you are having no problems. Submit this to the FAA either through the AME or just send it in. Technically, this is a disqualifying condition and DQ's you until you get the Special Issuance letter.

It is better to divulge than to deceive, especially when it comes to the FAA and their enforcement division.

[Commercial Pilot]

My real concern at this point is what the FAA will do when I divulge the fact that I have gone through several medical exams without reporting the apnea.

[Sprint100]

I remember seeing a case like this regarding an ATC. He must have really pissed off the FAA because they nailed him on lying on a government document and A judge in court gave him 2 or 3 years probation and fined him $500. I don't know if going to this extent is the norm and if they would have ever found out especially since the condition didn't pose any risk at all. They only found out because he later revealed the info.

[My Flight Surgeon]

They are happy you reported it and just process the Special Issuance in my experience. They are so busy pushing paper and processing the 1000+ deferred cases a day they don't look at the timing. The ATC issue most likely was that he was an employee.

[Commercial Pilot]

Thank you for the reply. That's just what I was hoping to hear.

[My Flight Surgeon]

I talked to the FAA folks this past week and here is their take - if you "come clean" and report something that is not a major issue (by major I mean you are a child molester or rapist) they are so busy they let it pass.

In the future they are going to become tougher so better declare on the next medical.

[AviatorDawg]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

I talked to the FAA folks this past week and here is their take - if you "come clean" and report something that is not a major issue (by major I mean you are a child molester or rapist) they are so busy they let it pass.

In the future they are going to become tougher so better declare on the next medical.

Does this apply to a past DUI (8 years ago) that has never been reported?

[My Flight Surgeon]

If it is that long ago and there have been no other incidents, they will probably let it pass. The AME just needs to put a good explanation in Box 60 on the medical form.

[avro]

The AOPA medical staff says you are better off to write the FAA a letter to disclose past problems. Do you agree? Or is disclosing on your next medical the better way to go? My thought would be if the FAA is busy they will probable spend less time looking at your medical application and hopefully push it through. As opposed to sending them a letter where they can have more time to look it over and look into your file and decide what to do.

[My Flight Surgeon]

It depends on what you are declaring. Here is the way it works: the 8500-8 is completed electronically and sent to the FAA via internet connection. Their computer scans all positive answers - some are passed through and some are kicked out for a human to look at. Depending on the explanation you put in block 18 for the positive answer and the explanation the AME puts in block 60 explaining the answer (here is where it is good to have a proactive AME who is your advocate) it either gets sent back to the system and is gone forever or it is held for further review. When it is held for further review, they may ask for more records or send it to one of the physicians to review.

The important thing is to write a good explanation of the incident or case that fully explains it. For example, a MIP charge when you were 16 and youa re now 26 with no further problems with the law - it will get sent on through. a MIP charge when you were 16, an assault charge at 18, an DUI at 19 and a disorderly conduct charge at 22 will get looked at and reviewed further. They are willing to say you were young and stupid but that disappeared when you became an adult.

[avro]

Thanks Doc,

If it gets held for further review does that mean the medical that the AME just gave you is suspended? or it is still good? Do you know before you leave the office if it was accepted or held for review?

[My Flight Surgeon]

The medical is good unless the FAA asks for it back. They will give you opportunity to respond to either questions or requests for records before they deny it.

Less than 1% of all medicals are denied outright by the FAA. Most are denied when the airman fails to provide the information the FAA requests.

[t-cart]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

The medical is good unless the FAA asks for it back. They will give you opportunity to respond to either questions or requests for records before they deny it.

Less than 1% of all medicals are denied outright by the FAA. Most are denied when the airman fails to provide the information the FAA requests.

I think I can speak for the rest of the people here and say that we appreciate you being here.Thank you. T.C.

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by t-cart

I think I can speak for the rest of the people here and say that we appreciate you being here.Thank you. T.C.

I'll second that motion! You're a valuable asset to the site. Thanks for helping out, Doc!

[avro]

If the FAA wants more information from something that you put on your medical form do they just mail the 30 day request to you? or do they use confirmation mail to make sure you got it?

It would suck if the letter got lost in the mail and you never got it. How does that process work?

Thanks

[My Flight Surgeon]

They just send it by regular mail.

[avro]

One last question.

If your Medical gets kicked out and is held for further review, what is the time frame from medical application to letter at your doorstep in your experience?

Thanks again and thanks for your input on this website.

[My Flight Surgeon]

3-6 weeks.