I’ve been taking lessons at my local flight school. I went in for my AME medical certification and was deferred to the FAA.

I was taking Xanax PRN for sleep - no insomnia diagnosis - just stress falling asleep sometimes.

Im new to this and didn’t realize that Xanax was on the automatic deferral list (which, side note, is ridiculous given that the FAA allows Ambien. I’d know since I’m a pharmacist..).

Anyways, does anyone know how long the deferral process can take? I’m reading horror stories of people having to wait 1-2 years for resolution. Any advice to speed things up?

 

Xanax is a strong drug. I had one for a scan procedure that involved fluid in my spine. It makes you "extremely relaxed". This is NOT a safe drug to be flying an aircraft with. Of course it is an automatic deferral.

 

Yeah. Get off the Xanax.

 

Being a pharmacist why even take Xanax without checking?

 

Double check the 'allow' Ambien. IIRC one can use it to help get some sleep 2-3 DAYS before a trip but it needs to be completely out of the system before actually flying.

I am sorry that your instructor didn't give you better advice regarding medical certification. I recommend asking around the airport who the local AME is who is good for problem cases. Then schedule a consultation. The good AMEs do that because if you aren't applying for a certificate they can just talk to you. If you go in with MedExpress filled out then they must issue, deny or defer. Technically you can just walk out but that must be sent to OKC as an incomplete which is highly likely to lead to future issues.

A senior AME who doesn't mind helping people will know what you need to do and an approximate timeline. In my experience most AMEs don't want any trouble so they are to be avoided unless you are astronaut healthy. HIMS AMEs are often more likely to be helpful but all the local pilots should know who to see if one has an issue.

 

Obviously you didn't know, else you wouldn't have discovered the hard way, or be asking now. You may be a pharmacist, but you're not a physician, and not an aviation medical examiner, so perhaps your opinion of what's "ridiculous" isn't the one that counts.

"It's okay, I'm a limo driver" only goes so far.

One cannot fly for 24 hours after taking Ambien. It is on the Do Not Fly medication list (Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners). https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/pharm/sleepaids

Waiting periods after any medication depend on the dosage, and condition.

Ambien is not the same as xanax; neither its use, nor the effects of the drug, as you know. Further, the FAA looks at casual or chronic use associated with your condition, on an individual basis, and supporting documentation from your physician. Rest assured that chronic use of ambien will also result in a deferral.

Every case is decided on an individual basis, and the length of time a resolution is found normally comes back to how the individual handles their case. If you handle it yourself, plan on the maximum time (there isn't a time limit...but it will take the longest if you decide to self-help).

Deferral simply means that the local aviation medical examiner has passed your case up the food chain for a decision. Your case is best passed up the food chain with all the necessary paperwork in hand, which means you'd have to know in advance that you have a deferrable condition, and have worked with someone who handles special cases, who'd have advised you on the testing, documentation and certification requirements to be issued, or receive a special issuance in the event your condition falls outside the parameters of the regulation.

The chief concern is never the medication: it's the underlying condition for which the medication was taken. The effects of the medication are also important to consider, and the FAA does, but it chiefly concerned with the reason you're taking it. You can get off the medication, but that doesn't document the reason you took it, or the resolution of that matter, to the satisfaction of the FAA Administrator (and designated medical staff). If the patient is using sleep aids regularly, the AME must defer. https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/DNI_DNF_tables.pdf

If you are off the medication for 60 days, and it's noted by your AME, and you have a favorable report from your treating physician that the condition for which you were prescribed is stable (stable mood), then you may be issued an unrestricted medical certificate. You indicated that you're self-medicating for sleep issues (also a concern), and stress. Several red flags, and no documentation.

The FAA places strict restrictions on psychotropic drugs, including SSRI's and psychiatric drugs, including xanax; in such cases, not only is the aviation medical examiner not allowed to issue, and must defer, but the physicians at Oklahoma City are typically not authorized, and the case is deferred to the FAA office in Washington DC.

For those who elect to pursue the matter on their own, it becomes a guessing game for what more the FAA requires and the FAA will not counsel you on the matter. If your documentation is insufficient or lacking, the case will get kicked back to you, pending more information...over and over. You're far better working through a service that does this professionally. I have used, and recommend Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS); it's oft-recommended by posters here. You'll start with an initial consultation either by phone or by email (with an associated fee), and then a recommendation for your case. If it's something AMAS will take on and can assist, then you'll be given the next step, with is a retaining fee and an appointment. They're very busy, the appointments very brief and they leave it to you to do the leg work. They advise, collect what you provide them, and submit to the FAA with their letter. It's the shortest path to getting your certification.

 

………an excellent answer by JB.

 

Aeromedical writes their own rules on medical science. You're at the mercy of a government authority that, in my experience, doesn't believe in transparency, fairness or even the law, and the proprietary and irrelevant medical testing they may now put you through will cost thousands or tens of thousands.

I would reach out to others who have had similar situations but you can expect years of waiting or may get lucky and it will be less. In the meantime, I would look up any FAA publications / worksheets that your doctors can fill out now so you're prepared. Also, don't think that if you hire any expensive company or consultants to do the work for you that you'll get it expidited sooner or have a higher chance of being granted a favorable outcome. Again, save your money for the testing.

Good luck.

 

It amazes me how people get wrapped up in the medical industry, take doctors words like their are a saint vs a salesman, eat a bunch of pills paid for by insurance, who you know documents all this, and don’t see the long term problems, often worse than the thing they are “treating”, which are going to be coming their way.

Get clean off drugs, stay away from the medical industry and drug dealers, talk to a FAA versed lawyer

This is NOT a subject for a CFI to help you or 99% of AMEs, a food atty can spear head this mess you got yourself in and give you the best result

 

As a GENERAL RULE you can probably figure that routine or repeated use of any medication that carries a “black box” warning is going to require a substantial look at by the FAA before (and if) you can be cleared for flight - especially for commercial ratings and above. One can whine all one wants about that being “ridiculous” but you aren’t the one who is going to have to answer the question if “Why the hell did you let him fly on THAT,” when the NTSB gets the toxicology reports from the mishap.

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