AAL763

Can I still be an airline pilot if I have an SI for having ADD or would I automatically be disqualified?

rickair7777

It depends on the airline. You are probably out of luck for any respectable non-US airline.

In the US most (or all) regionals will simply accept an FAA first class. Some majors will also do that, but others will do their own in-house medical exam with possibly higher standards than the FAA.

A key point here: Does your medical certificate have any statement to the effect that it is a special issuance? Many airlines will not accept that if it's stated on your medical, the only special comments which are OK are for corrective lenses.

If you have a standing waiver, that should not appear on your medical.

An actual special issuance would usually require that you renew your medical more frequently than normal, typically 6 months for ALL classes (not just first). Professional pilots really don't want this on their medical...if you are already employed you can keep your job, but it will make it hard to get a new job.

AAL763

I didn't get my medical yet. I called pilot medical solutions and the lady said I have to be off the medication for 90 days. She then said after testing I would get a special issuance with my medical. So could I get a waiver for this so that the SI doesn't appear on my medical? Or could I get a SODA? It would kill me to go through all of my training only to be denied by all of the major airlines.

rickair7777

I doubt a SODA would apply to ADD. A SODA would be for something clearcut and unchanging like color vision or hearing problems.

ADD would be disqualifying if it is present I think. Your objective should be to show that your ADD has been treated and is no longer affecting you to a significant degree.

I don't know if a history of ADD would require an SI, I kind of doubt it. An SI is for something which might change quickly (like cardiovascular problems), so they reduce the duration of your medical. Hopefully you can put the ADD behind you and have a clean medical.

"Waiver" and SI really mean the same thing. I would ask your consultant if you can get a normal-duration medical which does not have an SI associated with it.

I would probably not plan on airline career with an SI, unless you already have an airline job.

samy

Not necessarily, all it says on my class 1 is, "not valid for any class after ---" one year after it was issued. Depending on the condition, I'm sure it's different for everyone, hence the special part. The initial act of getting it is a major ass pain, but after that, every year the regional ame just has to have verification from the treating physician that nothing has changed in your condition. I have an SI and got hired, no one even asked me about it. I can obviously only speak for myself and my experience, but I've found that people pretty much accept that the FAA is pretty thorough.

Only issue I've had is nosy check airmen who ask what the restriction statement means. Also, I have to carry the special issuance letter with me but I only have to show it to the FAA. I think this is fairly new because my AME told me about it at my last exam and since then I've had to show my license and medical to two FAA officials and when I handed them the letter they were both unaware that it was now required to be carried on your person.

AAL763

Maybe the lady meant that I will get an SI if after the testing, I still do not have my ADD under control.

propwash2005

You should also post this question over on Jetcareers, if you haven't already. They have a Senior AME over there who responds pretty quickly these type questions.

AAL763

If I have proven that my ADD has gone away or that it doesn't affect me anymore, can they take the SI off my medical? Would I then be able to get a clean medical with no special issuance? I would think that my normal doctor could write a note saying that I am no longer affected by ADD.

fedupbusdriver

Just to correct your info, I have a cardiovascular problem (Heart Attack) and an SI. It does not require a reduction in the duration of my medical. It just requires some extra tests once per year, with the results sent in to the FAA for review, and then a new one year clearance for the SI.

rickair7777

Just out of curiosity, does your medical say anything about an SI? Or is that just between you, the AME, and OKC?