pilot147

So I've been in to the doctor quite a bit these past 3 years.

I was in the ER for a really bad flu bug.
Had some weird heart palps that turned out to be absolutely nothing, checked by cardiologist.
And had some sinusitis that gave me headaches but eventually cleared up. (had CT done- totally normal)- would this trigger a red flag?

Wondering how I should proceed and report these.

Also, is it normal for people to check a lot of these boxes? Like headaches, stomach trouble, passed out, a lot of these things seem very common health occurences that would happen to most people. My question is, if an AME sees a yes response is that a red flag? Do they usually move towards disapproval or want to see tests?? I'm perfectly healthy now, just a bit of a hypochondriac.

Excargodog

You report everything you are required to report. Yes, the “weird heart palpitations” will trigger a red flag. Bring along copies of the cardiologists report. Same for the CT.

98% of people who present with a condition that causes an initial deferral are eventually cleared. 100% of people who hide the fact they saw a healthcare practitioner for a medical condition on their MedExpress history are breaking the law. Do not imperil your future in aviation by breaking the law - especially with the FAA.

pilot147

Since you are only required to report things in the last 3 years, would I be better off waiting to the 3 year mark so that those visits expire and I don't have to report? I'm months away. Also, I have absolutely no underlying health conditions so I would not be hiding anything. I am just fearful the FAA/AME will see palpitations or CT scan and then freak out.

Excargodog

What part of tell the friggin’ truth do you NOT understand? There is no three year statute of limitations on medical history. Item 18 says:


Symptom/Condition Instructions
Letter Symptom/Condition
a Frequent or severe headaches
b Dizziness or fainting spells
c Unconsciousness for any reason
d Eye or vision trouble except glasses
e Hay fever or allergy
f Asthma or lung disease
g Heart or vascular trouble
h High or low blood pressure
i Stomach, liver, or intestinal trouble
j Kidney stone or blood in urine
k Diabetes
l Neurological disorders; epilepsy, seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.
m Mental disorders of any sort; depression, anxiety, etc.
n Substance dependence; or failed a drug test ever; or substance abuse or use of illegal substance in the last 2 years
o Alcohol dependence or abuse
p Suicide attempt
q Motion sickness requiring medication
r Military medical discharge
s Medical rejection by military service
t Rejection for life or health insurance
u Admission to hospital
v History of Arrest(s), Conviction(s) and/or Administrative Action(s)
w History of nontraffic convictions
x Other illness, disability, or surgery
y Medical Disability Benefits

Tell the truth. Tell the WHOLE truth. Provide your medical records.


The AME will review them and make the decision whether to approve or defer depending on what you provide.

Applicant History - Item 18. Medical History

Applicant History - Item 18. Medical History
a. Frequent or severe headaches.
The applicant should report frequency, duration, characteristics, severity of symptoms, neurologic manifestations, and whether they have been incapacitating, treatment and side effects, if any

g. Heart or vascular trouble
The applicant should describe the condition to include, dates, symptoms, and treatment, and provide medical reports to assist in the certification decision-making process. These reports should include: operative reports of coronary intervention to include the original cardiac catheterization report, stress tests, worksheets, and original tracings (or a legible copy). When stress tests are provided, forward the reports, worksheets and original tracings (or a legible copy) to the FAA.

There is no avoiding this. Just tell them the truth. If you are truly healthy, the worst that will happen is you get a Special Issuance.

rickair7777

Heart palps are common enough. Worst case you'll have to get an eval and wear a monitor for a day or so.

The palps are usually benign, and AME's are used to seeing that especially in older pilots. If you've already been evaluated and know it's benign, then you have nothing to worry about.

Besides you have to check the box forever (the three years is just for doctor visits).

And on the off chance that you have a real problem, well you'll want to get that treated. Beta blockers or pacemakers are totally certifiable in most cases.

dera

It depends what the issue was.
Most are "If no evidence of structural, functional or coronary heart disease - Issue".

Here is the FAA guidance. Some are issuable by the AME. Some require deferral.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...d/arrhythmias/

pilot147

I understand and I never intended on lying about anything or hiding anything, I am just wondering if there are things that I don't need to report. For instance, if I get the stomach flu and go see the doctor for that, do I need to check the box for stomach/gastro problems? Is it normal for most people to check a lot of these boxes? I mean, headache, stomach issues, kidney stone, these are all fairly common issues.

Excargodog

Certainly. You don’t need to report anything it doesn’t ask you to report.


Yes. What part of doctor visits in the last three years do you not understand?

Yes, if they’ve actually had those problems. It is not only normal, it is required by law.

Yep, and when you demonstrate they have been appropriately evaluated and treated, generally not a problem.

rickair7777

I have not checked boxes for transient issues related to a known acute condition like an upset stomach due to flu. That's not really what they mean or want, since then everybody would check every box. They are really interested in more significant conditions than acute infections.

You would report a doctor visit of any sort, even if it's for something minor like flu, cold, etc.

But be careful deciding which boxes not to check... migraines and kidney stones are actually very significant for certification, as are ulcers, etc.

But if you had a cold/flu/sinus infection/montezuma's revenge, etc and it resolved itself without a medical visit then you don't need to do anything with that. It won't affect anything and they'll never know (or want to know). Of course you ground yourself while sick.