Well I am a new member here of course love this forum BTW. I just had a quick question I am about as rookie as you will get I'm in school now (junior college) still working to get my FAA exam cert. to start PP training so that's how new I am to all of this. Anyways I have 2 questions. I haven't received any kind of medical exam YET until I at least pass/receive an FAA exam cert. My school only requires a 3rd class medical exam for PP. I have two "hiccups" that I feel might crush my dreams of ever becoming a pilot.

1.) A few years back I was misdiagnosed with asthma because one summer I started coughing and the doctor was quick to come up with a solution and claimed I had asthma. I've never had asthma, never have had a shortness of breath, very active in sports. At the time I thought nothing of it as this was years back before I decided what I wanted to do with my life. Now it seams like this might be a MAJOR factor in determining whether or not I can or will ever be eligible to receive a 1st class medical. I told my new doctor about this, he gave me a pulm. test to test my lungs and I passed with flying colors so he says I've been cleared of asthma however he said it will still show up on my medical records regardless. I am healthy, no broken bones, no medications, 20/20 vision, no prior medical issues.

2.) A few years back I made a bad decision and decided to go outside and take a walk on the sidewalk on New Year's Eve when I had some celebratory drinks. I wasn't anywhere near being intoxicated I was fully alert however a police cruiser pulled over and to make a long story short I was cited with Public Intoxication which is a Class C misdemenor.


So with that being said and give it to me straight are my dreams going to be crushed or do you guys think I still have a chance to receive a medical and how will these two things effect it/or getting a job?




Thanks guys.



-Dave

1. The FAA will never know if you don't tell them.

2. If that is the only thing in your past and you've been trouble free for several years now, you should be good to go airline wise, not sure about the FAA because I don't remember the medical form and specific questions. I wouldn't omit the charge if they ask. I would omit the asthma, especially if it was a bogus diagnosis.

I've been fortunate to never have had a medical problem that would effect my medical but my AME has never seen or asked to see any of my medical records.

Thanks so much for the prompt reply! Well that's somewhat promising news keeping my fingers crossed. So let me ask you this. This is what concerns me I believe on the medical form there are 2 questions that have a box that needs to be checked. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think these are the ones that concern me.


***(Have you ever been convicted of an alcoholic violation?)***

***Have you ever been diagnosed with asthma?***


In my case the answers to both questions technically would be YES. So you are saying to go ahead and omit this and check NO? If so wouldn't there be some kind of penalties for not answering truthfully? Could I one day receive a 1st class medical and have it revoked because technically I lied on the medical form? I'm not sure I just don't know what to do I want to do what's right but I also want to be able to fly. Anymore info?




-Dave

I wouldn't lie about the misdemeanor. To me, you weren't diagnosed with asthma, you were mis-diagnosed...not quite the same thing. Not telling you what to do, just what I would probably do.

Fair enough good info. I'm just so nervous I want to get the medical over and I'll be able to breathe a little better.




-Dave

I thought the alcohol issue had to deal with a "Motor Vehicle." Maybe not, but really they want to verify that you weren't drinking and driving. As far as the FAA's concerned, once you have your ticket, that's all you have to report is a conviction for DUI/DWI's etc...

BTW, what bike you ride? I'm a yamaha rider myself, 1995 YZF600R w/ 41000 miles on her

I was correctly diagnosed with asthma a number of years ago, and it has yet to stop me from getting my first class medical.

Talk to some other pilots and find a good AME to work with. See if you can talk with him/her before you have the medical exam and explain your situation to him/her. A good AME will know what the FAA needs to determine that you do not have asthma (even though you were diagnosed). If you wait to tell them at the exam, they may not be able to help you as they have to report the results. But if you talk to them ahead of time, they can let you know if there is an issue and what you need to do to resolve it.

1. The asthama should not be a problem even if you do report it. I actually see no harm in reporting since your doctor says you don't have asthma now. I probably would report it...if you don't and it came to light later you would be in significant trouble.

2. Plenty of pilots have had some kind of alcohol induced legal issue. If it didn't involve a vehicle or narcotics, happened when you were young, and wasn't too recent it will not be a problem. When it comes up at the interview take full responsibility and say that you have outgrown that phase.

You can get a state and national search of your records done and see if that particular incident is still on your record. This is a great idea anyways because you never know if something you either forgot about or never knew about is on there. I had a friend find something from his college days that he'd pretty much forgotten about.

That being said, if it wasn't while operating a vehicle, I think you're OK. But I'd read the qestions closely and not admit to it unless specifically asked.