Originally Posted by
MikeB525
My medical is not due for renewal for another 2 years. So if I'm off the stuff by then, I'm not sure that I would even have to tell the AME about it. That correct?
Also, in the distant future (long after I've stopped using it) what are the real career implications? Do you have to tell an airline if you EVER took a medication like this.
Also, Mike, anti-anxiety medications aren't like that, as I said. They're not generally taken continuously unless your doctor thinks it's necessary.
I dealt with mental health medication issues once while running a flight school...
1) First off, ANYTHING of a medical nature that happens to you MUST be reported your next medical form. Penalties for not doing so:
a) Immediate termination by your employer.
b) FAA Administrative revocation of all pilot certificates.
c) For falsifying a federal form: Possible fine and/or JAIL time...this is REAL federal law, not FAA admin law.
2) Anxiety, even with medication, is not permanently disqualifying, but it IS disqualifying while undergoing treatment. I think their standard is no flying during medication, and for 6 months after ceasing the medication. This is an observation period to ensure you are stable.
3) As was pointed out, you are supposed to ground yourself (sounds like you have) if your medical condition changes. If you have a cold, you can unground yourself when you feel better, but in your case the FAA will have the opinion that you need an AME to unground you.
4) Some folks don't report medical issues, especially minor things. If I get a cold I treat it (with FAA approved OTC meds) and then forget about it. But in your case I would think that the risk of not reporting it would be high, because there is a pretty long paper trail, and if you are ever involved in any incident, they can subpoena your medical records... Or if your girlfriend knows about, and she gets PO'ed at you some day...
Two students I knew had issues along these lines. One got medicated, got better, and learned to manage her stress issues with exercise, clean living, etc. She came back in a year, and went on to a flying career. The other apparently still needed the meds on occasion, so he had to do something else...he thought he might need them once a year, but with the 6 month stabilization period, he basically couldn't hold a medical.
Career-wise: If you can do what you need to do, get better, and stay that way without meds you can then get a normal FAA medical and pursue a career. Most regional airlines only want to photocopy your medical, they don't do exams or ask medical questions. Historically, major airlines subjected all applicants to a brutal medical exam which far exceeded FAA standards (you would not pass this). This has changed recently...some US majors, and all foriegn majors, still do their own exam. Today, however many US majors just want to see your medical. I know AA and AE will subject you to a rigorous exam, which I have no doubt that you would fail based on your history.
Basically, you would need to accept the fact that a few airlines will not hire you based on your history.
You need professional advice. These guys specialize in this sort of aviation medical issue:
http://www.aviationmedicine.com/inde...useaction=home