Aeromedical Factors

Obtaining a Medical Certificate demonstrated ability” (SODA) can be issued. This waiver, or SODA, is valid as long as the physical impairment does Most pilots must have a valid medical certificate to exercise not worsen. Contact the local Flight Standards District Office the privileges of their airman certificates. Glider and free (FSDO) for more information on this subject. balloon pilots are not required to hold a medical certificate. Sport pilots may hold either a medical certificate or a valid The FAA medical standards, 14 CFR part 67, specify fifteen state driver’s license. Regardless of whether a medical medical conditions that are considered disqualifying by certificate or drivers license is required, 14 CFR 61.53 “history or clinical diagnosis.” Regardless of when one of requires every pilot not to act as a crewmember if they know, these conditions was diagnosed and treated, an airman may or have reason to know, of any medical condition that would not be issued a medical certificate except through a process make them unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner. called a “Special Issuance Authorization,” as explained in 14 CFR part 67, section 67.401. A special issuance is a Acquisition of a medical certificate requires an examination discretionary issuance by the FAA Federal Air Surgeon and by an aviation medical examiner (AME), a physician requires satisfactory completion of special testing determined with training in aviation medicine designated by the Civil by the FAA to demonstrate that an airman is safe to fly for Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI). There are three classes the duration of the medical certificate issued. The specific of medical certificates. The class of certificate needed disqualifying conditions include: depends on the type of flying the pilot plans to perform. • Diabetes mellitus requiring oral hypoglycemic A third-class medical certificate is required for a private or medication or insulin recreational pilot certificate. It is valid for 5 years for those • Angina pectoris individuals who have not reached the age of 40; otherwise it • Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if is valid for 2 years. A commercial pilot certificate requires at untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically least a second-class medical certificate, which is valid for 1 significant year. First-class medical certificates are required for airline transport pilots and are valid for one year if the airman is 40 • Myocardial infarction or younger; 40 and older it is valid for 6 months. • Cardiac valve replacement • Permanent cardiac pacemaker The standards are more rigorous for the higher classes of certificates. A pilot with a higher class medical certificate • Heart replacement has met the requirements for the lower classes as well. Since • Psychosis the required medical class applies only when exercising the privileges of the pilot certificate for which it is required, a • Bipolar disorder first-class medical certificate would be valid for 1 year if • Personality disorder that is severe enough to have exercising the privileges of a commercial certificate and 2 or 5 repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts years, as appropriate, for exercising the privileges of a private • Substance dependence (including alcohol) or recreational certificate. The same applies for a second-class medical certificate. The standards for medical certification • Substance abuse are contained in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations • Epilepsy (14 CFR) part 67 and the requirements for obtaining medical • Disturbance of consciousness and without satisfactory certificates can be found in 14 CFR part 61. explanation of cause Students who have physical limitations, such as impaired • Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) vision, loss of a limb, or hearing impairment may be issued without satisfactory explanation of cause a medical certificate valid for “student pilot privileges only” while learning to fly. Pilots with disabilities may require However, this list includes only the mandatory disqualifying special equipment to be installed in the aircraft, such as conditions. There are many other medical conditions that fall hand controls for pilots with paraplegia. Some disabilities into the General Medical Condition section of the regulations necessitate a limitation on the individual’s certificate; for that are considered by the FAA to be disqualifying even example, impaired hearing would require the limitation though they are not stated in the regulations. Conditions “not valid for flight requiring the use of radio.” When all the such as cancer, kidney stones, neurologic and neuromuscular knowledge, experience, and proficiency requirements have conditions including Parkinson’s disease and multiple been met and a student can demonstrate the ability to operate sclerosis, certain blood disorders, and other conditions that the aircraft with the normal level of safety, a “statement of 17-2