I Need Help
12-23-2019, 03:33 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
I Need Help
Hey All,
I am in need of some desperate help here. Unfortunately, I have to be kind of vague. I am a corporate pilot for a privately owned airplane. Our chief pilot was involved in a “situation” that lead them to have to take a drug test. This individual failed the drug test and got their medical either suspended or revoked (I am not sure). The chief pilot keeps telling the aircraft owner that their medical will be reinstated “any day.” This has been going on for month now. My question is how can I find out what the true status this person medical is? If I call the FAA investigator, will he or she be legally able to tell me what’s going on with our chief pilot? Any other suggestions on how I can go around our chief pilot to find out the truth? I’ve tried asking directly and all i get are lies. So I need to find other avenues to find the truth.
Thanks in advance for the help!
I am in need of some desperate help here. Unfortunately, I have to be kind of vague. I am a corporate pilot for a privately owned airplane. Our chief pilot was involved in a “situation” that lead them to have to take a drug test. This individual failed the drug test and got their medical either suspended or revoked (I am not sure). The chief pilot keeps telling the aircraft owner that their medical will be reinstated “any day.” This has been going on for month now. My question is how can I find out what the true status this person medical is? If I call the FAA investigator, will he or she be legally able to tell me what’s going on with our chief pilot? Any other suggestions on how I can go around our chief pilot to find out the truth? I’ve tried asking directly and all i get are lies. So I need to find other avenues to find the truth.
Thanks in advance for the help!
12-29-2019, 04:05 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,666
From an AME on another site:
"The general guideline is that one must be “clean” or “dry” for at least 2 years before the FAA considers issuing a medical certificate. The exception to this is when pilots are enrolled in the HIMS (Human Intervention and Motivation Study) Program that has been established with the cooperation of the FAA, ALPA and the airlines. In this very intensive program, a pilot may be granted a Special Issuance medical certificate after 6-8 months of sobriety. The program includes participation in an aftercare program and monitoring. For more information see www.himsprogram.com ."
So if he just failed a drug test, he's looking at a minimum of 2 years before he can get his medical back.
"The general guideline is that one must be “clean” or “dry” for at least 2 years before the FAA considers issuing a medical certificate. The exception to this is when pilots are enrolled in the HIMS (Human Intervention and Motivation Study) Program that has been established with the cooperation of the FAA, ALPA and the airlines. In this very intensive program, a pilot may be granted a Special Issuance medical certificate after 6-8 months of sobriety. The program includes participation in an aftercare program and monitoring. For more information see www.himsprogram.com ."
So if he just failed a drug test, he's looking at a minimum of 2 years before he can get his medical back.
12-30-2019, 04:26 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Position: B787 FO
Posts: 295
Check the Airman certification database.....it will have date of medical or a contact number if there is a pending action or revocation....not sure you’re entitled to the information from them, so they might refuse to disclose it
12-30-2019, 08:17 PM
#4
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,232
Unless the drug test is proven incorrect, it's going to be more than a few months. Years, not months.
You can see anyone's current medical online, which will tell you if they have one and when they got it.
You will not have any access to any "in process" medical info on someone else, not even FOIA will work for that.
About the only way there will be a quick resolution is if he had a prescription AND he was using the prescription properly AND he did not exceed the threshold for impairment while flying.
You can see anyone's current medical online, which will tell you if they have one and when they got it.
You will not have any access to any "in process" medical info on someone else, not even FOIA will work for that.
About the only way there will be a quick resolution is if he had a prescription AND he was using the prescription properly AND he did not exceed the threshold for impairment while flying.
12-31-2019, 12:07 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 185
I have personally handled a few drug/alcohol cases at a 121 carrier (obviously different than corporate) but for us if you pop a test then the feds strip you of your medical and your certificates. As others have said, you will be years returning, not day and not months. For us, since they revoke your certs then you have to start over with every written and practical test.
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