FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions…

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  • Is it okay to eat breakfast on the morning of my medical examination?

Yes, having breakfast or lunch on the morning of your exam will not affect your aviation medical exam in any way. Being well hydrated will serve to allow you to give a proper urine specimen which is required for your aviation medical exam. One or two cups of coffee usually will not pose a problem as well.

  • What should I do with any correspondence I recieve from the FAA?

READ IT CAREFULLY. All correspondence from the FAA should be read carefully. Often it requires you to obtain medical information needed for your FAA medical exam. Usually it will have important dates that will require correspondence from your medical doctor, such as labs & current status letter (“CSL” – documentation of your current status with regard to certain medical conditions) that you must submit to the FAA in a timely manner. Failure to submit these documents to the FAA in a timely manner will prevent the issuance of your medical certificate. Do not ignore these letters from the FAA. Do not wait until the last minute and bring them to the office on the day of your exam. If you have not submitted the required documentation by the FAA for your FAA aviation medical exam, our office will not be able to issue your certificate. THE AVIATION MEDICAL EXAMINER CANNOT OVERRULE THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.

  • If the FAA requires a letter regarding my medical conditions, who should write the letter?

In all cases any letters regarding your medical conditions must be written by the medical doctor who is treating said conditions. The FAA, in most cases, will not accept a letter from a nurse practitioner. The letter must be signed by a medical doctor.

  • Will I leave the medical office with my new medical certificate?

In most cases, yes. We have performed FAA aviation medical exams for almost two decades. Without question, the number one cause for an airman to not receive his medical certificate on the date of his exam is outstanding, unresolved medical issues that need to be addressed with the FAA.

Many pilots when faced with a serious medical condition make the unfortunate mistake of turning to everyone else except the FAA for guidance in such situations. Often, they will first address their issues with the organization, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (in the case of most recreational pilots) or, if they are seeking a first class (commercial) certificate, they often seek the help of the physician at their airline union medical division. While these are fine organizations, and we hold no animosity towards them, it is crucial for the airman to understand that he or she must satisfy the medical criteria of the only organization issuing medical certificates for pilots, the FAA. In nearly two decades of performing Aviation medical exams, too often we have seen airmen meet with frustration and not be able to receive their medical certificate on the day of their exam because they sought the advice from the wrong individual.

Our approach, be smart and start at the top, the FAA. Determine what information they are going to require, supply that information in a timely manner, well in advance of the date of your exam. This usually leads to the easiest and most expeditious approach to getting your aviation medical certificate. The FAA is a wonderful organization dedicated to pilot and aviation travel safety. Please do not view the FAA as a three headed, fire breathing monster. The FAA only wants the best outcome for all parties involved. However, this does require work on the part of the airman, should he require a special issue certificate or have other medical issues. Keep your labs up-to-date. Make & keep appointments with your medical doctors who have treated you for other medical conditions. Get documentation of your medical appointments (current status letters). Explain to your private physician who treats you for other issues that you are a pilot and that these medical conditions will require documentation for the FAA.

Pilots who are already established with our office enjoy the luxury of being able to contact us if any new medical issues arise. Dr. Johnson will serve as the airman’s liason with the FAA in an effort to reduce red tape and ultimately help get resolution to the medical issue and hopefully issuance of the airman’s medical certificate.

  • What should I bring to the office on the day of my aviation medical exam?

MOST IMPORTANTLY BRING YOUR MEDICAL CONFIRMATION NUMBER. This is the number you should have printed when you completed your medical history form on MedXPress.faa.gov.

On the day of your aviation medical exam, please bring a form of photo ID such as your driver’s license and previous FAA medical certificates should you have one.

Please bring your patience on the day of your aviation medical exam. Failure to bring any of the above mentioned items on the day of your medical exam will serve to delay not only your exam but could delay others as well. In our overzealous attempt to accommodate our patients, sometimes staff resources need to be diverted to try and correct the failure of a pilot who did not follow the above directions. DON’T BE THAT GUY.