Bad situation

[Metro752]

Better sooner than later. A friend of mine got in trouble for something somewhat similar, paperwork related. But the kicker was that it was considered a big deal because he was an ATP. To qualify for an ATP, the FAA says, you have to be of 'good moral charcter'. Unbelievably, the fSDO held him to it and revoked his stuff. Had he been a commercial cert, they said, they wouldn't have gone after him.
go figure.

shut the heck up you moron, don't listen to this clown

You were a minor, your parents kept you in the dark.

exactamundo. I am guessing it was a seizure. Drop the $$ to speak to a lawyer.

 

[av8tor4239]

I failed to disclose a medical condition I had when I was about 12 on my medicals the last couple years out of fear that I would be denied my medical.
Ryan

You all assume he is older than you think.... The regionals have stooped to new lows an are hiring CHILDREN (the medical conditoin was when he was twelve which was only a couple of years ago)...... Think outside the box

 

[blott]

Two questions for you.

How old are you now?

We don't care about what you didnt' disclose.....

But, what condition did you overhear some one else talking about, that one time? hard to remember who was taking, or who they were talking about, but you might remember what they were taking about, right?

 

[Medicryan]

Thanks for all the info guys. The condition (cardiac) is not disqualifying, but it is something that requires special issuance even though it was corrected at an early age. If it was something a lot more minor I would definitely keep it too myself. I have consulted with the folks at aviationmedicine.com and they seem pretty positive about it. I have taken the steps to speak to an attorney through the AOPA legal services plan to see what they say. For now, I am just in the process of collected all of my medical records so I have have everything together before I go in for my medical.

 

[BoilerUP]

http://aviationmedicine.com/

These are the same folks that provide ALPA Aeromedical services. Don't know what the cost is to non-ALPA members, but I highly recommend them based on their knowledge and expertise.

They saved my ass when I failed to report a vision-related military disqualification because I had always listed "As Previously Reported" on the application due to a medical issue with ROTC in college.

I now have a stupid Special Issuance First Class, but they told me exactly what documentation I needed to get from my doctor and took 100% care of everything with the feds.

 

[prtyprtyprncss]

During my ATP logbook "audit" years ago by an FAA dude in GRR he rather smarmily asked me, "Are you of good moral character?"...I asked him, "Well, you work for the FAA, could you recoginze it if I was?"...he didn't know what to say...best of luck with getting all this sorted out.

 

[aussiefly]

I'm guessing you had an aortic stanosis corrected. commonly known as a hole in the heart (or one the valves). Its not really a big deal if you had the snip and its working fine now.

But for goodness sake...get some expert legal advice before you open your bid dumb trap. In moments of stress one can feel obligated to be honest and tell the truth to the FAA...the fact is you are better off keeping your trap shut and getting advice first!

Resist the urge to tell!

 

[Fedora]

I've given Ryan the contact info of an AME Specialist who deals with this sort of thing all the time. I thought I'd share some of that AME's comments here so that others might get something out of it as well. Bottom line is be honest and don't hide anything and you (and others) will probably be OK.
Happy Holidays to All!

While I don't know what the condition is yet, 99% of all cardiac conditions I can get approved, if the pilot is stable and at low risk for "sudden incapacitation."
The FAA medical folks typically do NOT spank pilots who finally 'fess up to the music, and are simply glad they did...and as long as that pilot plays by the rules all should go well (the FAA legal department isn't nearly as much fun, so if we do things above-board sooner rather than later all should be ok).

 

[Rally]

How can the soepona (sp?) your records if they don't know who the doctor is to soepona (sp?) ?????

I would'nt even worry about it, just play stupid if anything ever becomes of it...If you get a fed that wants something to do to stay busy and be a golden boy then you're giving him it all if you tell. Remember the FAA goes after the easy stuff to bust, they rarely unless they have a ax to grind go to the extent your thinking they might. So unless you bring it all to them it will never come up. I'd like to know if anyone has ever heard of medical records being requested by the FAA to a doctor even after a accident that does'nt have anything to do with the said accident.

Does anybody know about the American Eagle accident in PR how they found out about the FO's anti anxiety drug? What ever happened to him?

 

[JediNein]

I'd like to know if anyone has ever heard of medical records being requested by the FAA to a doctor even after a accident that does'nt have anything to do with the said accident.

It wasn't the FAA, it was the NTSB. And how does the NTSB know if the medical condition had anything to do with the accident? They don't until they have the details or a question which is usually triggered by autopsy results.

Family, friends, and sometimes employers and AMEs have the scoop on what conditions have been concealed. Sometimes they don't and if the question is big enough, the investigators dig deeper. One's friends, family, associates, whomever could get a call months or years after the accident or incident with some very pointed questions to answer. There's no criminal charges thus no 5th Amendment to invoke.

You don't want to survive an accident with fatalities involved where your undisclosed medical condition could have played a factor. Nor would you want your loved ones to have to go through that investigation. The pain is unimaginable. Worse, real problems can be hidden with a red herring of a medical condition, thus one could have eliminated the chance for a problem to be solved before someone else found it the hard way. Want more? Undisclosed medical issues are great for defense attorneys as no matter the government investigation’s results, the obvious cause of the accident was the medical issue thus the loved ones don’t stand much of a chance of collecting anything, even life insurance payments, and, with the lawsuits everyone else files, they may lose all of your estate.

IOW, avoid the accident first, but don’t have anything to hide if there ever is an accident.

 

[Genital Leech]

I would probably forget about it unless it is something like genital warts (just ask General Lee about that one.)

-No Worries!

Hey now.....I resemble that remark. Watch it!!!!

 

[trip]

Let sleeping dogs lay.

 

[Jmoney]

Yep!

JMoney,
I hope your referring him to Stacey Vereen at Flight Health!

He's my dog! Great AME!!!

 

[psycho]

Should they ever catch you, tell them you were smoking so much weed between 12 and 21 that you totally forgot about the whole thing.

 

[Kip Dynomite]

If you only check only the (no) boxes, you're fine. An (I forgot, you busted me) should work depending on the condition being undisclosed. If you check a (yes) box you're screwed-no matter accidental or not. You're guiltly until proven innocent. (Proving your innocence takes years) Always check (no) that's what my -friend- does. And he's been collecting crappy regional paychecks for years.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I knew a guy who did 135 charter as a Lear FO and in his early 50's realized he had a heart murmur.

He had open heart surgery and it was corrected. 6 months later he went through a battery of cardiac exams including what's called a "stress test" and made it through. He was also a very fit man for his age too. Lots of exercising and eating right as well.

Anyway, the guy got his first class medical back.

 

[AugerPtrol]

Well here's what I am worried about, if I have an accident 10 years from now and this comes up when they supeana (sp) my medical records, I do not want to go to jail. I could keep hiding it and everything will be fine, but I would rather fess up rather than get caught.

Don't do it man! Pee on them. You will regret it if you try to go the honest route because you will never be rewarded for it. I had a friend in a somewhat similar situation and it did not turn out the way he hoped, in fact he still does not have his medical and may never! Let them find it on their own, which they probably never will.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

My sentiment is that you shouldn't bother to disclose this condition. However, I would discuss the condition privately with perhaps a cardiologist just to make sure you aren't going to have any issues while flying.

You'd be surprised by what your fellow pilots omit on their medical application. Sometimes it's just not worth all of the explaining to get caught up in the bureaucracy.

 

[JPAustin]

Hold on...

Did the FAA contact you regarding your previous condition?

If not, you aren't in trouble yet. Don't go filling out forms all willy nilly as a salve for your conscience. I am no advocating lying further, but before you do anything talk to an attorney experience in aviation medical matters.

I agree with this one! Don't admit guilt to it if you know it isn't disqualifiable. Obviously the medical tests REQUIRED for the Class I did not pick up on your condition, so don't worry! Even if something did come up, you can just plead the "geez, that was so long ago and minor, I guess I just forgot!" -- You know, the Richard Pryor response.

Besides, like the FAA has the ability to track every pilot's medical history when it can't even keep up with issuing permament pilot certificates before your temp expires!

You'll be alright.

 

[Caveman]

First of all DO NOT MAKE A DECISION BASED ON WHAT YOU READ HERE! Get some PROFESSIONAL legal/medical advice.

That being said, I can vouch for Pilot Medical Solutions out of OKC. They did great work for me under similar circumstances. Their website is www.leftseat.com.

Give them a call. They'll give you a free initial consultation.