Mmonroe194

So I went in for a class A exam. My first and passed everything but was deferred for acknowledging that I had a drinking problem 2.7 years ago. The AME was a nice man and actually had to call the FAA and the lady said it needed to be deferred as he wasn't sure. I just am wondering what this means from anyone who has had this experience and how it would relate to getting into a flight school. I have posted before but felt I guess I should start a new thread

Thanks for any help or advice on this in advance.

Hurry up and wait I suppose. I'm used to the government processes.

rickair7777

By "class A" I assume you mean "FAA First Class Medical"?

You'll probably need to be pay for some evaluations and provide those results to the AME/FAA. The AME may be able to walk you through that if he's good. Alternatively you might be able to find an AME who is known for handling such issues. If time is urgent, consider paying an aviation medical consultant such as AMAS... they can at the very least answer all your questions and explain the process and timeline.

If it's not a current problem, you should get cleared.

I assume it will be important that you do not drink at all any more. Also you need to never have any kind of documented alcohol issue in the future... should be easy if you just don't touch the stuff.

Others may be able to provide more details and timelines.

JohnBurke

Referring back to another thread in which we discussed this case previously (ADAPT? Dream buster?), I'll re-post the comments made there, for relevance:

I don't make a habit of quoting myself, but am re-posting the same information, in part, as it's applicable here. ADAPT? Dream buster?

An alcohol problem in one's past does not preclude holding a first class medical. The nature of the problem, and its recency, and its current status are considerations. Item 18.0 on the application asks if you have ever been diagnosed with, or presently have alcohol dependence or abuse. You are able to provide detail thereafter. The FAA is chiefly interested in how alcohol impacts your health, judgement, etc, moving forward, as a pilot. There's no such thing as an ex-alcoholic, so present trends and condition and use are important. It's one thing if you were arrested for a DUI yesterday, vs having not touched a drop in twelve years, with regular AA attendance, etc. In general, the FAA looks at the prior two years, and also on a case-by-case basis.

14 CFR 67.107(b) defines substance abuse, with regard to the FAA medical application:

I realize this may lead to some confusion; the above reference to 14 CFR 67.107(b) states no substance abuse in the last two years, and the documents that follow address substance abuse in the past five years, and also two more events in one's life time. I believe the original poster in the prior-linked thread said it had been three years or more. I posted 67.107(b) in response to his question at the time of whether he was precluded from seeking a medical certificate. He's not: if he's been free of entanglements with substance abuse for the past two years, he can get a medical, but as we see in this thread, it may be more complicated that simply walking into the AME's office and walking out with the medical. Two years is free of use and abuse, but historically, the FAA looks back five or more, and in some cases, a lifetime, before determining what will be required of the airman. The FAA will require additional documentation, and may require testing, exams and evaluations with one or more types of medical services before granting the certificate. The FAA may also look at the documentation an determine that what has been provided, is adequate. Each applicant is treated on an individual case-by-case basis.

Review this document: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/...0Certification.

Having posted that, see also items C and D in the following link, and the final item, "History of Dependence of Substance Use Disorder." Because we don't know the specifics of the original poster's history or condition, referral here can only be made in general reference. Note that if the item is a single event, more than five years ago, the AME can issue the medical certificate (though the AME always has the option for deferral. The AME must still determine during the exam and interview, if he believes a substance abuse history or problem exists). A single event less than five years ago (item C) may be issuable, but depends on availability of prior breath or blood alcohol data, court records, or AME concerns, and does involve placing a phone call for guidance.

Item D is the next level, which is two or more events in the airman's lifetime: this requires deferral, and takes it out of the AME's hands.

The FAA provides guidance not only for the aviation medical examiner, but provides a checklist so that your own physician can see what the FAA guidelines are, and what documentation will need to go to the FAA. This is listed under HIMS, which sometimes causes airmen some confusion. It should not be confused with a HIMS program, which is an alcohol/substance abuse recovery program for pilots to not only aid the pilot, but provide a path back to eventual certification (it can be a long road). In this case, the HIMS document isn't a reference to the program, but HIMS-trained aviation medical examiners...not a program but to the doctor and training that's been provided to that doctor (AME).

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/...DA_Initial.pdf

The initial certification guide covers what documentation the FAA will want, and how recently it must have been obtained (fresh data). Not everything in that document may be required; the FAA may require from more than one section of that checklist, or may have adequate information with original data (eg, BAC test and court documents, etc). Alternately, the FAA may require a psychiatric evaluation, drug or alcohol testing, neuropsychological evaluation, etc.

At the risk of beating the same drum too many times, any time there is a wrinkle with a medical application, it is always best to seek help from an individual or organization that specializes in assisting airman through the deferral, waiver, or special issuance process. In times past, Leftseat.com was an oft-used choice, but has fallen out of favor due to a number of bad reports; an increasing number of pilot groups, companies,, and organizations are leaning on AMAS (https://www.aviationmedicine.com), or the aviation medical advisory group. Fifty to seventy bucks for a consultation grants a couple of days access (70 bucks to speak to someone, the fifty bucks for email exchange). Medical certification complications are not something one should self-rely on to get through, and most AME's are not versed in dealing with the FAA beyond turning in routine paperwork. Special issuances of deferrals take the exam and subsequent process out of the AME's hands, at which point most aviation medical examiners are done with the process. AMAS (et al) can help, or may be able to help, but that's best addressed before one sees the AME in the first place.

If one has a condition requiring deferral, it's usually best to wait until one is fit and able to pass the exam, rather than to to an exam and ail or be deferred. In context with this thread, that would mean that if one has an alcohol or substance abuse problem, then that needs to be addressed before seeking a medical certificate. Put the house in order, then go the exam. Conversely, if one simply has a past with issues, but is not currently having an alcohol or substance abuse issue, then it's a matter of navigating the FAA requirements to satisfy the process. That's often best done with help, than to go it alone.

---let me add, while there's still time to edit this post, a caution against posting any specifics or personal data. I've noted that we can only go on the limited data that the original poster has provided, but that's not a request, nor an invitation to put anything in the open that the original poster doesn't want, or need, to broadcast. No one here can move the medical certification process forward, so the best any personal specifics could provide is fodder for discussion. I'd strongly encourage keeping confidential information confidential, except with those to whom it must be disclosed (eg, the FAA), or those assisting navigating the process (the AME, or a service like AMAS that's counseling or helping).

Mmonroe194

As always thanks for the input and advice. I called an AMA for the 70 dollar fee and was given some rather unfortunate information. I was told to expect a letter in a couple of months and that the whole process will most likely take a year. Said the FAA will most likely want me in a HIMS program. 46 turining 47 in December so needless to say I am definitely disappointed. I have only myself to blame. I need to make a decision on whether to hold out or just start looking in a different direction. I am currently so burned out in my current field of work that it's incomprehensible that I could wait that long.

WhisperJet

hang in there. A year will be a speedbump in the grand scheme of things.

atpwannabe

IMHO, take a seat, relax and get some assistance from an agency that assists airmen/potential airmen in circumstances such as this. Trust me, it's a marathon, not a sprint! ijs.


atp