Need advice on what to do
06-12-2015, 09:43 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 1
Need advice on what to do
Hi all,
I recently received my commercial pilot's certificate and I am about two weeks away from earning my CFI. I am seeking some medical advice from anyone on here that may be of some help. A few days ago I stumbled upon something on the Internet bringing to my attention that having a previous diagnosis of ADD is disqualifying for a medical. Naturally I was devastated reading this. I had no previous knowledge that ADD was disqualifying, nor was ADD mentioned anywhere on the 8500-8 form. I realize that it states "mental disorders" but no where on the form does it specifically state ADD is classified as a "mental disorder" nor does it list ADD as an automatic disqualifier (which apparently it is). My interpretation of a "mental disorder" coincides with the examples they list like bipolar disorder, depression, etc. (Very misleading)
I was "diagnosed" with ADD nearly 11 1/2 years ago and I have been off of any sort of medication for 11 years. I was medicated for around 6 months on a very low dose of medication. My parents had me tested because they thought I was "disorganized." After 6 months I decided to stop taking the medication because I knew I didn't need it to concentrate. I went off to college and received a degree in Engineering and graduated with a 3.5 gpa having never used medication again. I was out of college for roughly two years and held a job successfully during that time when I decided to go back to school and pursue a career in aviation because I wasn't truly enjoying what I was doing. I recently graduated with an additional degree with a 3.8 gpa and having earned almost all of my ratings within a two year period all while balancing a job on the side. I have never failed a check ride or a written test in my entire aviation career and I have gotten my ratings faster than almost anyone I know. I find it extremely hard to believe that someone who truly has ADD could have accomplished what I have without being medicated. In my 11 years of being unmedicated I have never had difficulty concentrating. Which is probably the reason why I didn't realize that needed to be disclosed on a medical. I had basically completely forgotten that I had ever been "diagnosed." It truly was an honest mistake which is why I'm seeking advice.
My question to you guys is what should I do now? Do I disclose that I inadvertently made a mistake on the 8500? I worry that I will be prosecuted for making a "false" claim even though it was a mistake. Then I worry that all of my ratings will be revoked? I have read that if you can complete the test and pass it you will be granted a medical? But what if I have difficulty with the test? Can I still get a medical based on my track record of behavior? Haven't I already shown the ability to pilot an aircraft safely and effectively? If I am granted a medical but they revoked my certificates for a period of time I question whether an airline would hire me because of that?
Sorry for the long winded post but I'm devastated and I have no idea what to do. I realize you can't advise me to lie nor would I ever purposely do that but does the FAA take into consideration that I have been unmedicated for over a decade and my behavior is far from that associated with having ADD. I'm also trying to be realistic here having just spent nearly $50,000 on flight training is this something worthy of reporting? Or is my duration of being off of the medication coupled with my behavior good enough to assume that "diagnosis" was more opinion of the doctor rather than fact?
I recently received my commercial pilot's certificate and I am about two weeks away from earning my CFI. I am seeking some medical advice from anyone on here that may be of some help. A few days ago I stumbled upon something on the Internet bringing to my attention that having a previous diagnosis of ADD is disqualifying for a medical. Naturally I was devastated reading this. I had no previous knowledge that ADD was disqualifying, nor was ADD mentioned anywhere on the 8500-8 form. I realize that it states "mental disorders" but no where on the form does it specifically state ADD is classified as a "mental disorder" nor does it list ADD as an automatic disqualifier (which apparently it is). My interpretation of a "mental disorder" coincides with the examples they list like bipolar disorder, depression, etc. (Very misleading)
I was "diagnosed" with ADD nearly 11 1/2 years ago and I have been off of any sort of medication for 11 years. I was medicated for around 6 months on a very low dose of medication. My parents had me tested because they thought I was "disorganized." After 6 months I decided to stop taking the medication because I knew I didn't need it to concentrate. I went off to college and received a degree in Engineering and graduated with a 3.5 gpa having never used medication again. I was out of college for roughly two years and held a job successfully during that time when I decided to go back to school and pursue a career in aviation because I wasn't truly enjoying what I was doing. I recently graduated with an additional degree with a 3.8 gpa and having earned almost all of my ratings within a two year period all while balancing a job on the side. I have never failed a check ride or a written test in my entire aviation career and I have gotten my ratings faster than almost anyone I know. I find it extremely hard to believe that someone who truly has ADD could have accomplished what I have without being medicated. In my 11 years of being unmedicated I have never had difficulty concentrating. Which is probably the reason why I didn't realize that needed to be disclosed on a medical. I had basically completely forgotten that I had ever been "diagnosed." It truly was an honest mistake which is why I'm seeking advice.
My question to you guys is what should I do now? Do I disclose that I inadvertently made a mistake on the 8500? I worry that I will be prosecuted for making a "false" claim even though it was a mistake. Then I worry that all of my ratings will be revoked? I have read that if you can complete the test and pass it you will be granted a medical? But what if I have difficulty with the test? Can I still get a medical based on my track record of behavior? Haven't I already shown the ability to pilot an aircraft safely and effectively? If I am granted a medical but they revoked my certificates for a period of time I question whether an airline would hire me because of that?
Sorry for the long winded post but I'm devastated and I have no idea what to do. I realize you can't advise me to lie nor would I ever purposely do that but does the FAA take into consideration that I have been unmedicated for over a decade and my behavior is far from that associated with having ADD. I'm also trying to be realistic here having just spent nearly $50,000 on flight training is this something worthy of reporting? Or is my duration of being off of the medication coupled with my behavior good enough to assume that "diagnosis" was more opinion of the doctor rather than fact?
06-12-2015, 06:41 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Position: faa sr. medical examiner (HIMS)
Posts: 216
apply for a new medical and report. AME should defer to FAA. FAA will have you see a approved shrink. He likely will concur that your are now fine. Mistakes happen. You will not suffer any ramifications. I have managed cases like yours in past. This is my humble medical opinion.
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