Updating Medical
06-08-2022, 06:48 PM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2022
Posts: 16
Updating Medical
I just received my VA rating today but my medical doesn't expire for another ~10 months, do I need to schedule another evaluation to alert the FAA? I've tried searching around for an answer but everything I've found seems to deal more withholding information rather than the need to update or just wait until the next eval comes up.
06-10-2022, 05:20 AM
#4
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,006
Your medical certificate represents an aviation medical examiner's assessment that at the time of your physical exam, you met the requirements to hold a medical certificate, and could reasonably be expected to remain able, for the duration of the certificate.
The medical certificate is valid so long as you are medically fit. If at any time you are not fit, the medical certificate is not valid.
For example, if you develop a head cold and cannot fly, although you hold a medical certificate, it is not valid until you are fit to fly again. You do not need to notify the FAA, but you cannot exercise the privileges of that certificate if you are not fit. If something occurs which makes you unfit, then your certificate is not valid; it is always predicated on you being medically fit. If something occurs in the interim that affects your health in a way that requirements exist to remain fit, you must report it at the time of your next medical. If, for example, you were to begin having vision problems, and obtained a prescription for glasses, you'd need to wear them to meet the standard of your medical certificate, even though you haven't been back yet to the AME, and don't have that limitation displayed on your medical certificate.
Some things may occur which changes your medical status. A heart attack. Certain cancers. Kidney stones. The FAA may require, for example, evidence and medical documentation that you are free of kidney stones and statements with evidence showing that the incidence was a one-time occurrence, and will not happen again, or is not likely to happen again. Following a heart attack, the medical certificate is invalid for use and further documentation and testing is required before one can return to a legal, medically fit status. The heart attack marks a point during which the medical certificate has been invalidated by a health condition, and until the requirements are met once again to be considered medically fit, one is not legal to use that certificate to exercise airman privileges.
Other conditions, like a headcold, a root canal, or other relatively superficial events may temporarily prevent exercising airman privileges, but do not need to be reported until the date of the next medical application
When in doubt, it's a wise idea to contact your AME to discuss any reporting requirements.
The medical certificate is valid so long as you are medically fit. If at any time you are not fit, the medical certificate is not valid.
For example, if you develop a head cold and cannot fly, although you hold a medical certificate, it is not valid until you are fit to fly again. You do not need to notify the FAA, but you cannot exercise the privileges of that certificate if you are not fit. If something occurs which makes you unfit, then your certificate is not valid; it is always predicated on you being medically fit. If something occurs in the interim that affects your health in a way that requirements exist to remain fit, you must report it at the time of your next medical. If, for example, you were to begin having vision problems, and obtained a prescription for glasses, you'd need to wear them to meet the standard of your medical certificate, even though you haven't been back yet to the AME, and don't have that limitation displayed on your medical certificate.
Some things may occur which changes your medical status. A heart attack. Certain cancers. Kidney stones. The FAA may require, for example, evidence and medical documentation that you are free of kidney stones and statements with evidence showing that the incidence was a one-time occurrence, and will not happen again, or is not likely to happen again. Following a heart attack, the medical certificate is invalid for use and further documentation and testing is required before one can return to a legal, medically fit status. The heart attack marks a point during which the medical certificate has been invalidated by a health condition, and until the requirements are met once again to be considered medically fit, one is not legal to use that certificate to exercise airman privileges.
Other conditions, like a headcold, a root canal, or other relatively superficial events may temporarily prevent exercising airman privileges, but do not need to be reported until the date of the next medical application
When in doubt, it's a wise idea to contact your AME to discuss any reporting requirements.
06-10-2022, 07:29 AM
#5
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,244
If nothing has actually changed with your health since your previous medical, it's still good (you'll have to report the VA rating and specific conditions on your next medical).
But if it's is all long-term stuff, you *should* have already reported it to the FAA on past medicals anyway. You could be in legal jeopardy if there's anything significant buried in your mil records which the VA dug up and granted a rating for. Most especially anything like mental health/PTSD/TBI.
FAA medical is not like the mil "what they don't know can't hurt them". What the FAA doesn't know can send you to jail, if it's documented somewhere else. Pilots have gone to federal prison recently for getting disability but not reporting it to the FAA. Yes they can and sometimes do cross-check other federal records. Yes there's a loophole around HIPAA.
As JB said, it's OK to possess a medical with DQ conditions as long as you don't actually exercise the privilege. It is never OK to lie or omit info on the FAA form (read the fine print, I think it's five years at club fed).
If you got ratings for conditions which you knew you had all along but had not reported to the FAA, that's a potential can of worms. Might want to talk to a lawyer, especially if any of the conditions are potentially disqualifying.
But if it's is all long-term stuff, you *should* have already reported it to the FAA on past medicals anyway. You could be in legal jeopardy if there's anything significant buried in your mil records which the VA dug up and granted a rating for. Most especially anything like mental health/PTSD/TBI.
FAA medical is not like the mil "what they don't know can't hurt them". What the FAA doesn't know can send you to jail, if it's documented somewhere else. Pilots have gone to federal prison recently for getting disability but not reporting it to the FAA. Yes they can and sometimes do cross-check other federal records. Yes there's a loophole around HIPAA.
As JB said, it's OK to possess a medical with DQ conditions as long as you don't actually exercise the privilege. It is never OK to lie or omit info on the FAA form (read the fine print, I think it's five years at club fed).
If you got ratings for conditions which you knew you had all along but had not reported to the FAA, that's a potential can of worms. Might want to talk to a lawyer, especially if any of the conditions are potentially disqualifying.
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