A buddy has A.D.D. & wants to fly......?

[Icywings2]

Hi,

A close family friend of mine which is my nephews best friend has watched fly and heard me talk about flying over the years and wants to follow in my foot steps and we have another family member that is a pilot.

Anyway, he is 22 and when he was a kid (I think around 13 or so) he was tested and the school told him he had Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.). He was never treated with any medication and I guess the only record of it is at the school that tested him.

So, now I turn to draw your wisdom on this subject and tell me what to tell him. First, can he even legally do it? It doesn’t affect him, he is not “slow” or anything, in fact, he has a very high IQ and is sharp as a tack, but gets bored on subjects that don’t mean a whole heck of a lot to him. He knows so much about airplanes now and borrows my manuals, books, charts, etc.. to read them all the time. He loves this stuff like we all do, so I want him to do it. We all know what it is like when you have the bug. I took him up a few years ago in a 182 and let him fly for a bit and he was HOOKED to say the least ever since.

His mom is worried that if he gets his license and pursues this thing if he would be safe or not. His father thinks he would be a great pilot with all the attention to detail he will put into something he really enjoys and how much interest there is into it. I have showed him that it isn’t all fun and games and that weather, FARs, how engines work, etc…. can be pretty boring at times. He eats this stuff up like crazy and says if it has anything to do with flying he loves it.

So, his dad asked me to ask around to see if there is any literature showing that this is okay (FAA) and that it won’t affect him as far as safety goes so that he can sell it to his wife. I personally think it wouldn’t affect him at all in the cockpit. Hell, I think we ALL have a little A.D.D. in us.

Well if you all can help me out with helping his father fight the case with his wife to let their son fly. I would appreciate it. THANKS!

 

[NuGuy]

Hi Icy,

I don't profess to really know anything about this, but try this link out:

http://www.aviationmedicine.com/meds.htm#ada

They seem to have alot of answers to a lot of stuff.

Best,
Nu

 

[RegionalFA]

at 22 he needs mommy and daddy's permission to do something he loves? That concerns me more than potential ADD.


I wish him luck.

 

[Icywings2]

at 22 , he needs his parents to pay for it, so yes they need to agree to spend that much money. It isn't about mommy and daddy giving permission. Why do people alwyas try to be a smart a$$? I swear, on EVERY thread someone has to be sarcastic.

 

[Dizel8]

I was going to say something, but I got distracted....................
What were we talking about again??


Seriously, wish him best of luck from me, I hope he gets cleared by the AME.

 

[Rabid Washcloth]

gets bored on subjects that don’t mean a whole heck of a lot to him

Then label me A.D.D.

They've been handing that diagnosis out like candy in the past ten years. Twenty years ago they just said you were hyperactive and gave you an "Unsatisfactory" in conduct.

Unless he's done so since graduating high school, tell him to get reevaluated. At least get some kind of a job in the meantime that requires competency and proves his ability to focus.

 

[RegionalFA]

at 22 , he needs his parents to pay for it, so yes they need to agree to spend that much money. It isn't about mommy and daddy giving permission. Why do people alwyas try to be a smart a$$? I swear, on EVERY thread someone has to be sarcastic.

at 22 i wish my mommy and daddy had paid for everything I wanted.

seriously.


by 22 I'd moved across the country and paid for two years of school for a grand total of $34k.

If he wants it as bad as stated, he'd make it happen. Once his parents saw how serious he was, either they'd support his decision or not. My guess is that mom would be easier swayed by that than a bunch of info from people that don't know him. He didn't say that the mom needed proof that it was legal... if that was all, cake. He said he needed proof that it was safe. Well, mom, you know your son... is it safe?

I guess being a pilot costs a lot of money... most pilots must have parents that support them... i've read a lot of "keep the car mommy and daddy bought you in high school and that'll asave you money on car paments" and "mommy and daddy put so and so through school."

Not everyone is so coddled and some of us realize that if you want something to happen, there are ways to do it.


If he wants it bad enough and is responsible enough to handle the job, he should be able to make it happen. I wouldn't let my mom's insecurities keep me from living my dreams.

but, that's just my take. No sarcasm.

 

[d.fitz]

Dizel

...you beat me to it!.....

Classic!

 

[Rabid Washcloth]

Dizel

Now I'm distracted.

What were you saying...about...fluffy pillows...I...can't...seem...to...take my eyes off of those breasts.

 

[Smacktard]

Spend a $100 and have him get a first class medical. If he gets it he can fly, if he can't, he can still fly but not 121.

 

[Northern Lights]

It doesn’t affect him, he is not “slow” or anything, in fact, he has a very high IQ and is sharp as a tack

He knows so much about airplanes now and borrows my manuals, books, charts, etc.. to read them all the time. He loves this stuff like we all do

Sounds like he should go for it. If he can make it through his intrument rating without to many problems he'll probably be able to go all the way.

Does he have any learning disablities? I think that a LD would be more of an issue than ADD. I had a friend drop out of flying because of his learning problems.

 

[Icywings2]

Nothing other then the ADD. I think that if you can keep your First Class Medical and do the Instrument you are fine as well. How can I help prove to his mom that he would be safe? Any thoughts?
Thanks again!

 

[Rabid Washcloth]

Tie her up and throw her in an airplane with him for a transcon.

 

[Northern Lights]

. How can I help prove to his mom that he would be safe? Any thoughts?

I think that the only way to prove it is have him at least start working on his private pilot. Find a good flight school with a experienced instructor to work with. A good CFI won't sugar coat things. If he has serious problems with flying, he needs to know about it.

I once had to sit a guy down and ask him if he really wanted to be a pilot. I was his 4th instructor, he had about 50 hours, and there was no way I was going to let him solo. He couldn't even find the airport from the practice area, yet he wanted to start doing cross countries. But in his case I belive that it was more of a learning disability than an ADD problem.

 

[wannabe22]

If the guy can get a medical (first class) he shouldn't have any problems. The FAA may need some info on it when he goes for his medical but if he can get a clearance for the first class he won't have a problem. If you have any other questions, pm me and I can give you some more info. Take care and tell him good luck.

 

[falcondriver]

I buddy of mine has ADD and takes medication for it and has a 1st class medical and a handle full of type's. I would say go get the medical and go gor it.
FD

 

[Batman Fan]

I'm certified with every learning disability there is. I'm a Jet FO with an upgrade comming within the next few months. No problem unless you let it be one.

 

[Batman Fan]

In fact I don't think anyone can tell I have any learning problems unless they check my spelling. I don't think ADD, dsylexisa, or anything else should be a reason to stay out of the flight deck. I heard about a guy who had a Private Pilot Certificate and could not use his legs. A wheelchair could not stop that guy.

 

[TonyC]

If the guy can get a medical (first class) he shouldn't have any problems. The FAA may need some info on it when he goes for his medical but if he can get a clearance for the first class he won't have a problem.

I wish I had a medical application form in front of me so I could see if there's even a place where he would report it, given that he takes no meds for it.

Given that the condition is not so severe as to require medication, and given that he has graduated from high school (I'm assuming) I'd say that the ADD might even be an advantage. Sounds like a strong interest has driven him to study quite a bit already. It's OK, Dad, he'll do just fine.

 

[Neolight77]

My husband had ADD as a kid. He was diagnosed at 13 and prescribed a medication called "CYLERT" for it. By 18 he no longer needed the medication and has gone from someone who couldn't pay attention to a Captain with multiple degrees. Something about Cylert (as opposed to that awful Ritalin) is that it helps you learn to concentrate. Once your mind "learns" to focus you don't need the medication any more.

Your friend may consider that as an option for a few years before learning to fly. AMEs won't let you fly with that medication--you have to quit before you start in aviation.

It can definitely be done, and ADD is a real condition. It's just tremendously over-diagnosed.