Changes to Form 8500-8

[My Flight Surgeon]

There are several changes to FAA Form 8500-8, the application for a medical certificate you complete at the AME's office.

They are adding a new item in the medical history, 18y. - Medical disability benefits. If you have received benefits, you will need to explain them in the explanation box and discuss them with the AME who can put a comment in Box 60 on the form.

You will also be allowing the FAA to disclose information to other Federal agencies for verification or completeness of the information.

Item 18v - Arrest, Conviction, and/or Administrative Action History is being changed to:
History of any arrest, and/or conviction(s) involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or 2) any history of any arrest, and/or conviction(s) or administrative action(s) involving an offense(s) which resulted in the denial, suspension, cancellation, or revocation of driving privileges or which resulted in attendance at an educational or rehabilitation program.

They are getting serious folks!!

[TexasFlyer]

If you were arrested, but not convicted of an offense other than what is listed... it appears you do not need to report it based on the current changes. For example, arrested for trespassing but not convicted. Is this correct.

[germb747]

Originally Posted by TexasFlyer

If you were arrested, but not convicted of an offense other than what is listed... it appears you do not need to report it based on the current changes. For example, arrested for trespassing but not convicted. Is this correct.

My interpretation only, these would be the events you'd have to report:

a) If you're arrested and/or convicted of DUI, DWI or being impared by alcohol or any drug. (regardless of disposition)

b) If you're arrested, convicted and/or subject to administrative action for any offense and your driver's license is suspended, denied, cancelled, or revoked.

c) If you're arrested, convicted and/or subject to administrative action for any offense and you attend an educational or rehabilitation program.

Again, my interpretation only, but these are events you would not have to report:

a) If you're arrested, convicted and/or subject to administrative action for any traffic-related offense (except DUI, DWI, or being impared by alcohol or a drug) and you pay a fine, get sent to jail, or get sentenced to probation and/or deferred adjudication. (I guess if you did "defensive driving", that would be reportable under 18v since it's an "educational or rehabilitation program.")

I don't know what changes were made to 18w, if any, which previously required you to report all non-traffic offenses you were convicted of (misdemeanors and felonies). If the verbage is changed to "arrests" in addition to convictions, then a treaspassing offense would be reportable.

[thesoonerkid]

what exactly constitutes a "history of" something??? repeated offenses? is one or 2 public intox citations considered a "history"

[germb747]

Originally Posted by thesoonerkid

what exactly constitutes a "history of" something??? repeated offenses? is one or 2 public intox citations considered a "history"

"History" as in the past. Have you ever been arrested or convicted? even once

[Doug Taylor]

"History of any" which I'm more than sure is interpreted as "If we're going to find it when we pull your record, and you haven't checked 'yes', you in deep doo doo Jar Jar."

[My Flight Surgeon]

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time!

[Doug Taylor]

Just to save you some PM's, checking "Yes' isn't disqualifying. But if an applicant checks "No" when he should have checked "Yes", would be disqualifying, if I'm reading this correctly.

[My Flight Surgeon]

You are correct Sir!!

You must provide an explanation in the box provided ( preferably in detail) and talk to the AME about the response. The AME is required to put an explanation in Box 60 to support issuing (or deferring if appropriate)a medical certificate.

If it was a one time event, and there is no pattern of recurrence, the AME shold be able to issue the certificate. If there are multiple episodes, he must defer (unless they were all reported previously and the FAA has not flagged the file).

The thing is being up front and honest with the info.

[thesoonerkid]

when did the change in the form occur? I got a student medical back in january and do not recall that info being asked for. im currently a contractor for the FAA and did not come across any problems before. i never have tried to hide it. thanks for the help guys

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is the New form with GG serial numbers coming out a little later this summer. Just wanted folks to have a heads-up before they wandered in and found a new form staring them in the face.

[thesoonerkid]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

It is the New form with GG serial numbers coming out a little later this summer. Just wanted folks to have a heads-up before they wandered in and found a new form staring them in the face.

its not the same form one applies for a medical/student pilot certificate is it?? thats the one i am referring to

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is the same one.

[thesoonerkid]

ok so im going in to get my ATC 2nd class medical. i already hold a DOT-FAA contractor badge, as well as a 3rd class student cert/medical. how much would a public intox hurt my chances of getting the 2nd class from a flight dr.?? i didnt have any problems when i got my contractor badge, and 3rd class.

also, do chiropractor visits need to be disclosed??

[Doug Taylor]

Dr. Forred-

It might be an interesting idea to differentiate the difference between "Reportable Incidents" and "Disqualifying Events". I think a few people are misinterpreting the two.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Thanks Doug, Reportable Incidents are just that, reportable. They include things like a DUI, having surgery, taking medications, etc. Not all Reportable Incidents are Disqualifying. For example, taking Lipitor for high cholesterol is not disqualifying whereas taking Ritalin for ADD is disqualifying. Having had a single DUI may not be disqualifying but having had a DUI every year for 3 years in a row will most probably be disqualifying. The FAA looks at many factors when they evaluate what is disqualifying. Remember that less than 2% of all medial applications result in a final denial from the FAA. Regarding the DUI question on the From 8500-8, repeated troubles with the law involving alcohol reflects a pattern of disregard for the rules and is suggestive of a personality disorder (which is disqualifying).

[thesoonerkid]

DUI and public intox are a lot different....but thanks for the clarification. its much appreciated

[Bandit_Driver]

Are the new forms now is circulation?

When is the switch to the new form Mandatory for AME's if they have old stock still in their office.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Forms are not in use yet. They have not announced a start date.

[My Flight Surgeon]

Planned start date for the new GG series of the 8500-8 is mid to late September 2008.