Can I even get a Third Class Medical?
#1
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Joined APC: Jan 2010
Posts: 6
Can I even get a Third Class Medical?
Hey Guys-
I recently began taking classes for my Private Pilot's license. I looked in to the requirements to getting a Third Class Medical and was rather discouraged when I read up on DUIs and how they may effect getting a certificate.
I will run down basically what has happened in my life.
In 1999 I got arrested for drug paraphernalia (pot pipe).. this was my first year in college. I was able to get "court supervision" which allowed the charge to be dropped after 1 year of not getting arrested. I went the full year without getting arrested.
In 2000 I got a misdemeanor for criminal damage to property. What happened there is that a girl and I went through the dorms and pulled down some shower curtains in the bathroom. The university investigated, and when they asked the girl she ratted me out and I was charged. This was another court supervision case and the charges were dropped after 1 year of not getting arrested.
Then the big one.. in 2003 I got a DUI. I went out drinking with friends and decided to drive home. Around a corner I went off the road disabling my vehicle. I was charged with a DUI.
I know that paints a picture of me as being a reckless loser with no self control, but the fact of the matter is.. the DUI really changed my life. Since then I haven't even touched the sauce. I never go out.. I don't do drugs.. I have a great job.
So here I am in 2010 looking to get my private pilot's license. I have real concerns about my drug/alcohol history making it impossible for me to even get a 3rd class medical cert.
Can anyone offer any advice for me? Do I have to list the charges that got dropped from "court supervision"? I sent away for my NDR which I'm sure will show my DUI.. and I sent away for the court records from my college days.
Understand that I am not the person I was in College.. I was 18 for crying out loud. Anyone go through a similar situation? Should I stop taking my lessons and just forget about my dream?
I recently began taking classes for my Private Pilot's license. I looked in to the requirements to getting a Third Class Medical and was rather discouraged when I read up on DUIs and how they may effect getting a certificate.
I will run down basically what has happened in my life.
In 1999 I got arrested for drug paraphernalia (pot pipe).. this was my first year in college. I was able to get "court supervision" which allowed the charge to be dropped after 1 year of not getting arrested. I went the full year without getting arrested.
In 2000 I got a misdemeanor for criminal damage to property. What happened there is that a girl and I went through the dorms and pulled down some shower curtains in the bathroom. The university investigated, and when they asked the girl she ratted me out and I was charged. This was another court supervision case and the charges were dropped after 1 year of not getting arrested.
Then the big one.. in 2003 I got a DUI. I went out drinking with friends and decided to drive home. Around a corner I went off the road disabling my vehicle. I was charged with a DUI.
I know that paints a picture of me as being a reckless loser with no self control, but the fact of the matter is.. the DUI really changed my life. Since then I haven't even touched the sauce. I never go out.. I don't do drugs.. I have a great job.
So here I am in 2010 looking to get my private pilot's license. I have real concerns about my drug/alcohol history making it impossible for me to even get a 3rd class medical cert.
Can anyone offer any advice for me? Do I have to list the charges that got dropped from "court supervision"? I sent away for my NDR which I'm sure will show my DUI.. and I sent away for the court records from my college days.
Understand that I am not the person I was in College.. I was 18 for crying out loud. Anyone go through a similar situation? Should I stop taking my lessons and just forget about my dream?
#2
Limited Options
No, I wouldn't recommend you stop taking lessons and forget about your dream job, IF that's your dream. Just realize that you may have limited your options for the future. Given what you've posted, I'd say you may never see a major airline and some corporate flight departments might balk at your past record.
Don't forget that just about any major airline is going to run "a background check from hell" on every applicant and there are a lot of pilots with better background records than you have. That doesn't mean you won't be hired....just be aware of the obstacles you've placed for yourself.
G'Luck Mate
Don't forget that just about any major airline is going to run "a background check from hell" on every applicant and there are a lot of pilots with better background records than you have. That doesn't mean you won't be hired....just be aware of the obstacles you've placed for yourself.
G'Luck Mate
#3
You should be able to get a third class. The FAA may evaluate you for possible substance dependency based on the fact that you have a DUI.
I do not believe you have to report non-DUI related arrests on the medical application, but read it carefully to be sure. In any case I don't think the college stunts would keep from getting a third class an a PPL.
Where they really start looking into your background is for airline employment.
I do not believe you have to report non-DUI related arrests on the medical application, but read it carefully to be sure. In any case I don't think the college stunts would keep from getting a third class an a PPL.
Where they really start looking into your background is for airline employment.
#4
New Hire
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Joined APC: Jan 2010
Posts: 6
On the form it asks if you've ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor non traffic violation.
With the court supervision I had.. they eventually went to a "court supervision" status. In other words.. they are still on my record.. but won't show up on a commercial background check.
Should I declare these? Is a "convicted" status charges that have been "dropped" with court supervision? I don't want to not include them and get totally screwed. I could imagine them letting the DUI slide... but when I declare two other charges I think they may have second thoughts.
Basically I'm pretty bummed out about my shenanigans 10 years ago effecting my options to get a PPL
With the court supervision I had.. they eventually went to a "court supervision" status. In other words.. they are still on my record.. but won't show up on a commercial background check.
Should I declare these? Is a "convicted" status charges that have been "dropped" with court supervision? I don't want to not include them and get totally screwed. I could imagine them letting the DUI slide... but when I declare two other charges I think they may have second thoughts.
Basically I'm pretty bummed out about my shenanigans 10 years ago effecting my options to get a PPL
#5
Maybe talk to an aviation lawyer to clarify the status of your court supervision incidents. They may or may not have to be reported...but don't intentionally omit something which you are supposed to report.
But even if you have to report them, the FAA's only concern with criminal matters is that they want to make sure you do not have a substance abuse problem or a mental illness.
It sounds to me like the one DUI is probably just bad judgement, not an addiction issue but they want to evaluate you just to be sure.
The other two things look like college hijinks...you would not be the first pilot with a record for such things. They are not going to deny a third class medical for that.
But even if you have to report them, the FAA's only concern with criminal matters is that they want to make sure you do not have a substance abuse problem or a mental illness.
It sounds to me like the one DUI is probably just bad judgement, not an addiction issue but they want to evaluate you just to be sure.
The other two things look like college hijinks...you would not be the first pilot with a record for such things. They are not going to deny a third class medical for that.
#6
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Posts: 6
First.. I want to thank you guys for helping me out with this..
I found this:
Court Supervision is a sentencing disposition which may follow a
guilty plea or a finding of guilt after trial. Court Supervision, if
received and successfully completed, means that you will not have a
record of conviction on the charge. The concept of Court Supervision
is like a continuance, pending the defendant's good conduct, with
dismissal of the charges upon acceptable compliance. If the
conditions are complied with, the conviction does not become a part
of your record.
I am still going to consult with an aviation attorney (any references?).. but perhaps I will not have to include those two supervision charges?
Thanks again.
I found this:
Court Supervision is a sentencing disposition which may follow a
guilty plea or a finding of guilt after trial. Court Supervision, if
received and successfully completed, means that you will not have a
record of conviction on the charge. The concept of Court Supervision
is like a continuance, pending the defendant's good conduct, with
dismissal of the charges upon acceptable compliance. If the
conditions are complied with, the conviction does not become a part
of your record.
I am still going to consult with an aviation attorney (any references?).. but perhaps I will not have to include those two supervision charges?
Thanks again.
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: UnemploymentJet
Posts: 314
#8
Better talk to an attorney. Expunged records may not be accessible to normal employers, but in many cases the government is an exception. Usually when they ask "have you ever?" they mean exactly that...they want to know if it happened and don't care if you subsequently got the record changed.
#9
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
You should be able to get a third class. The FAA may evaluate you for possible substance dependency based on the fact that you have a DUI.
I do not believe you have to report non-DUI related arrests on the medical application, but read it carefully to be sure. In any case I don't think the college stunts would keep from getting a third class an a PPL.
Where they really start looking into your background is for airline employment.
I do not believe you have to report non-DUI related arrests on the medical application, but read it carefully to be sure. In any case I don't think the college stunts would keep from getting a third class an a PPL.
Where they really start looking into your background is for airline employment.
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