Hello
I am a PPL holder that’s currently fighting the FAA on medical issues, I’ve been told by everyone on my side that just about everyone in my situation gets their first class again, but I’m wondering if the airlines will consider me too disabled to fly regardless and I should just cut my loses.
Does anyone here have any wisdom on this?
Kyle,
I hate to break the news Kyle, but not every case is the same and the statement you’re being told “everyone in my situation,” is not honest. Everyone’s case is different, everyone’s story is different, and everyone’s medical history is different. The FAA medical division will be the determiners in whether you could hold a First-Class Medical Certificate or be denied. I recommend if the FAA requires any additional documentation or appointments that you follow-up accordingly and provide them with what they’re looking for. No need to explain what your medical history is here (on a public forum), but if you cooperate and assist them with supplemental information, you’re more likely to be in their graces. Time will tell, depending on the severity it could take weeks, months, or years to hold a medical depending on the circumstances.
I’m not being the bearer of bad juju, but if you were a PPL holder, you originally had a 3rd Class and applied for a 1st Class? Is my understanding right, here?
Brady
Kyle,
The airlines will ask if you have an unrestricted First Class. You either do or you don’t. If you do you’re fine, if you don’t you’re not.
Adam
I currently hold a first class, but they said I’m unfit for any class going forward
Edit: I do also understand that nobody here can tell me if I’ll get my medical, I’m just wondering if airlines will hire me despite my issues if I can get my first class again, or will they just see my issues and reject me
What does that mean “youre unfit for any class going forward”? Is your medical condition gonna resurface right in time for your renewal? Is your AME knowingly letting you hold a medical knowing you shouldnt? Seems like he’s putting his job and license on the line.
And like Adam said, and my AME told me. They ask if you have an unrestricted 1st class medical. Yes or no. Nothing more than that
That sounds like you won’t have a medical at all “going forward”?
Adam
Kyle,
The airlines will simply ask you whether you hold a current/valid unrestricted first class medical certificate. They won’t ask the details for any additional screening or testing you needed to receive it.
I would ask your AME or the FAA for clarification on this. If you are unfit for any class going forward that would lead me to believe that you are unfit right now? If so, I would believe that your piece of paper that shows the medical certificate isn’t valid anymore.
Roscoe
The FAA uses some strange, confusing language when they send you letters asking about medical conditions. None of us should get hung up on the verbiage of it or try to decipher it.
If your medical condition is simply a medical one, the airlines will most likely not ask about it. If your issues with the FAA involve drugs or alcohol, then you will very well need to explain it to an airline.
Nobody is risking themselves for me, that’s just the language used in the letter I got from the FAA
If the FAA division sent you some correspondence saying you would not be fit for your medical renewal, I suggest you discuss and share the letter with your AME ASAP. If they found you unfit for flight in x months, then they would have revoked your medical on the spot. Do you know, for certain, that you still hold a valid medical certificate? You’re not giving a lot of info here to give us much more to go on, but you shouldn’t share anything private like that with us anyway. Your AME can guide you through it. Best of luck.
The vagueness is intentional as nobody here would be able to help me even if I did give the full story. The letter did not explicitly revoke my medical, but I was advised over a year ago by someone assisting me to not fly or otherwise exercise any pilot privileges until this gets resolved.
Kyle,
To sum it up: if you lose your first class medical you won’t be able to fly for the airlines, ever. If you can keep it even under a special issuance, that’s fine. The airlines just need to see that you can hold one and won’t ask any other questions unless it involves drug or alcohol misuse.
Best of luck figuring it all out. The medical office in Oklahoma City processes thousands of deferrals a year. Try to be patient.
Hannah
Kyle,
It’s best to seek an aviation medical expertise’s advice on this topic regardless. There are tons out there. If you’re a member of AOPA, you may be eligible for extra pilot protection services through their resources (at an additional cost) which may be able to help. As for us, if you have a medical you check - yes, if you don’t you check - no.
Brady