Medical Certification Issues

[selje]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

FAR 61.53 was ammended in July 27th of last year as a result of the sport pilot rules. Below is the text of the current FAR 61.53. Operations that require a medical certificate are treated differently than operations that only require a driver license.

"§ 61.53 Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.
(a) Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who holds a current medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:

(1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation; or

(2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.

(b) Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations provided for in §61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

(c) Operations requiring a medical certificate or a U.S. driver's license. For operations provided for in §61.23(c), a person must meet the provisions of—

(1) Paragraph (a) of this section if that person holds a valid medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter and does not hold a current and valid U.S. driver's license.

(2) Paragraph (b) of this section if that person holds a current and valid U.S. driver's license.

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61–110, 69 FR 44866, July 27, 2004]

[NC36454]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Hello: I have been very impressed with the professionalism, helpfulness and friendliness of this group. Thanks. I am a Senior Aviation Medical Examioner in the SAT (Fort Worth District) area and would welcome any questions (through private messages) regarding medical certification issues that any of the members might have. All responses would be treated as confidential and would remain private - the FAA does not receive any information until you sign a Form 8500-8 (Medical Examination) at your AME's location. Over 15% of the airmen I follow have some sort of medical issue that requires "Special Issuance" and I have been very successful working with airmen who have been motivated to keep their certificates current. My opinion as an AME to any of your questions would be just that - an opinion that leaves you free to do with as you wish. Doc

"Doc",
Don't mean to be skeptical, but do you have some sort of credentials to authenticate the position you claim?

Thanks,
Ken (been doing this too long to buy into every story that comes along!)

[Dan Voth]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Hello, I need Docs private email. Doc, if you RE STILL READING THESE POSTS please email me off line, as I have a question. Thanks Dan [email protected]

[cpirrmann]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

This has always been the on going debate about medicals in general and especially for private pilots. Except for the 20 minutes in the AME's office every two years, we always self-certify ourselves. I think the physicals themselves are good in that they force many of us to visit a doctor when we otherwise wouldn't and possibly head off potential problems or spot hidden ones but they shouldn't be as draconian and debilitating as they are.

[jdoran]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Hey Doc,


Did you notice you jumped into the forum right next to "flying barefoot"

Ya sure you want to join us?

Seriously---glad to have you.

[depfer]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Hello Doc,
I just recently signed up for this forum and I'm a student Sport Pilot.
I'm extremely interested in what you find out from the Federal Air Surgeon, since I only got permission from my Cardiologist when I applied for my Student Pilot Certificate. I have had Angioplasty performed twice (seven years apart), and had 2 stents installed the last time. My Cardiologist gave me the OK so I thought I was completely legal. I would definitely not continue with lessons if I find out I'm not medically qualified. How long do you expect it to take to get a reply ? I'm not the kind of person to try and keep something like this a secret if its illegal, although with this kind of license I'm sure a lot of people will. I'm sure after reading all the sport pilot information on several web sites including EAA and AOPA, most people going for a Sport Pilot License are like me and assume they have done the correct thing by only checking with their doctors.
Thanks, Jim

[cpirrmann]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Depfer, don't let this confuse you quickly. Sport flying falls under paragraph b. So you're fine by what you're doing. Be very careful what you let out in unsecure circumstances, because there's still a gotya clause that ground you if you fail a medical. So don't go running to an AME needlessly.



(b) Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations provided for in §61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

"Doc",
Don't mean to be skeptical, but do you have some sort of credentials to authenticate the position you claim?

Thanks,
Ken (been doing this too long to buy into every story that comes along!)

Tribe,
I hold a class III medical signed by Doc. No doubt about the credential.
Also, he is restoring his T-craft about 100 yards from where I keep mine - and the work is first class.

[Doc]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Howdy: Today is December 11, 2006 and I just picked up this post. For those who need "credentials", I hold Senior AME certificate 20969 and am under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth Flight Regional Flight Surgeon. For those who would like a "private" opinion", you may contact me at: [email protected] - I will answer any questions you pose - the official opinion only goes onto the FAA Form 8500-8 when you see your AME. Thanks. Doc

[flylo]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Thanks Doc for that great offer!

[whake]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

As you know Doc, Sport Pilot Medical is a very hot subject. If what you say is true or enforced there will be a lot of Sport aircraft for sale in the "fastest growing segment of general aviation". There is an on going debate on this subject between the EAA,AOPA and the FAA on this subject, I would prefer to leave it that way.

[Doc]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Howdy: Today is Dec 16th and Merry Christmas to all! The Aeromedical Certification Branch of the FAA is in a political quandry. All of you know about the age 60 rule...Industry wants the medicos to push out the older pilots and the medicos really do not have a reason to enforce the rule. It is also complicated by the European standards that allow pilots over 60 to fly, and we are supoposed to endorse a global medical standard. Now lets get to Sport Pilot rules...a critical review of the current FARs supports my prior statements....but...the FAA wants Sport Pilot to work...so, they are basically looking the other way by letting the Pilot AND his/her physician make the call about suitability for flight in that category. I have discussed this with the Fort Worth Flight Surgeon personally...this is an example of "don't ask..don't tell". IF you think you are OK to fly, AND IF you can get your physician to agree, then you will be good to go for the Sport Pilot (assuming you still have a valid DL). Having said all of this, most pilots with medcial conditions can get a Special Issuance for their 3rd class...it is just an expensive medical testing/documentation process. Let's look at a scenario: Pilot has chest pain, is diagnosed with coronary artery disease, receives bypass surgery or stents, etc. If going for 3rd class, then must wait 6 months and start paper work after extensive testing. Bottom line is 9-12 month wait and $$$$ spent. I assume that if the pilot's physicians state hat he/she has passed the healing process and is "good to go", then they would probably be able to fly legally. That is OK for the TC in the hangar...but what about the A36 sitting in the back? Obviously this is an individual question for each pilot. Personally, I support 3-5 year medicals for the bigger aircraft, a thorough briefing to each pilot of the regs, and self-certification for light aircraft. Most of us are not suicidal (or so financially well off) that we would fly with impairments on any given day. We are all big boys and girls. For those who contacted me about medical issues - thanks. I really enjoy the interaction with this group! Doc
u

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Hi Doc , you are indeed one of our assets. I have been sitting back a bit on all this dicsussion. I always have a don't ask don't tell attitude. Around my area we have the mavericks and I love most of them.
BUT I have had to have the TALK with three older Aviators as their skills started to go away. I have even flown with Epileptic, Parkinson, and other palsy effected folks for evaluation. ALL have self denied themselves when presented with the facts. THEY have all been offered the ability to have someone else go with them when they want to fly and they have done so! The ones that scare me are the episodes that come on very quickly; Gordon Baxter, two very well known Aerobatic Pilots, A Flight Instructor next to us with the heart attack at age 42 ; with Student ( who landed okay). If you are pre disposed to some type of incapacitation, PLEASE think real hard about taking another life into your hands, wither in the ship with you or on the ground.
My AME has expressed it very well "Use the MIRROR test, look in the mirror before flying , if you look good and feel good, do it!"
I am still good with the 2nd Class Medical but am ready to switch over any time to LSA.

[Doc]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Forrest et al: 12/24/2006 The "mirror" test is a great exam...I will "lift" it and start using it in the office! You would be surprised at how many "ah ha" looks I get when I tell an airman with a new medical problem that he/she can still fly with their medical condition...as long as the other controlled seat has a qualified/current pilot. Personally, I ws always happy when the wheel/stick was in my hands, with or without a current medical. Merry Christmas to all! Doc

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Medical Certification Issues

Nothing quite like the fun taking up an old timer or someone who has lost their medical and letting them do the whole flight. The piece of paper is a safety requirement for when there isn't another qualified pilot aboard (with acccess to the controls!).
Had an interesting experiance with a buddy I went flying with. He didn't know I was only a student and I didn't know he had lost his medical. We went up on a cross country in his 337 and had a GREAT time flying all over for a whole day (you can cross a LOT of country in a day flying a 200 mph airplane!) I had flown his twin many times and the nice thing about a 337 is you can always just shut down the aft engine if you get in trouble and she flys like a 182 that is REAL HEAVY. I wasn't worried (even after) about getting home safely, but it would have been interesting explaining what we thought we were doing to the Feds!
He has since "Gone West" and I miss him every day. Take your older buddies up every chance you get while you can. They won't be here forever. Fly safe Walt, the Feds can't touch you now.
Hank