Sage-Tips

Can you be a pilot with rheumatoid arthritis?

If you have been diagnosed with moderate or severe osteoarthritis—including Rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis that require prescription medication—your medical record will need to be reviewed by the FAA before a decision regarding airman medical eligibility can be made.

Can you be on antidepressants and be a pilot?

Beginning Monday, pilots with mild to moderate depression will be allowed to fly while taking antidepressants if they can demonstrate they have been satisfactorily treated for at least 12 months.

What is a Class 3 FAA medical exam?

Applicants under 40 usually have to undergo the most basic, third-class medical exam. This entails checking your eyesight, including your peripheral vision, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and color vision. The examiner will also perform a hearing test to determine if you’re able to hear at the most basic level.

Is meloxicam approved by the FAA?

Mebic (meloxicam): The FDA approved this oxicam-derivative, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug in April 2000, and the FAA has authorized pilots to use other medications in this class.

Is atorvastatin FAA approved?

Examples include pravastatin (Pravachol), lovastatin (Mevacor), simivistatin (Zocor), fluvastatin (Lescol), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and Crestor (rosuvastatin) and are just a few of those authorized by the FAA.

Does the FAA allow Zoloft?

Under the new rules, pilots will be restricted to one of four FAA-approved antidepressants — Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa and Lexapro — and required to see a psychiatrist every six months. Those who want to start antidepressant use, however, will be grounded for a full year, until stabilization on the drugs is confirmed.

Is Wellbutrin FAA approved?

There are three common classes of antidepressants: the tricyclic antidepressants, which are old medications that have a great many side effects, especially heart related, and are never acceptable for the FAA; the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), a class of antidepressants that have been shown to have …

Can Aviation Medical Examiners renew special issuance waivers?

While Aviation Medical Examiners are permitted to renew certain Special Issuance waivers, in most cases the initial waiver authorization must be granted from the Federal Air Surgeon first. This is typically authorized by a letter to the pilot from the Aeromedical Certification Branch of the FAA in Oklahoma City.

How hard is it to get a medical waiver to fly?

The process is not that difficult once the words are defined, and the FAA has a mature and established waiver process for civilian pilots with minor problems who intend to pursue flight authorization after they have been found to have a disqualifying medical defect.

What are the different types of FAA waivers?

Most AMEs think of the “waivers” as two types: Temporary Waivers: for Conditions that Change over Time. An FAA approval like this is properly termed: Permanent Waivers: For static/stable conditions (ex, amputees, color-blind), the appropriate type of waiver is called: Statement of Demonstrated Ability” (SODA).

Who can issue a waiver to a pilot?

Only staff at the FAA higher headquarters ( Regional Flight Surgeon or higher) can issue these initial waivers, but once issued, existing waivers can often be renewed by a local AME. Temporary Waivers: for Conditions that Change over Time.