Fly with John Thywissen, CFI, CFII, IGI

Recommended Aviation Medical Examiners

• Austin: Andy Davenport, M.D.
• Dallas: Gabriel Fried, M.D.—Phone: 972-361-0155

If you use someone else, find an Aviation Medical Examiner who does a lot of aviation medicals, and has aviation medical training. When you call, if the office staff seems to not know about aviation medicals, then that is a bad sign.

What Does the FAA Want to Know?

The FAA wants you to produce a super-detailed list of medical events that have happened to you. Then, your Aviation Medical Examiner discusses this list with you, to see if anything is problematic.

Medication (Current)

Report both prescription and nonprescription medication. If you take medication, the FAA wants to make sure (1) the medication doesn’t interfere with your flying, and (2) that the underlying reasons that you’re taking the medication isn’t a problem.

Medical History (Lifetime)

The FAA wants you to list nearly every illness, disability, surgery, and hospital admission you’ve had in your entire life. (However, they do say, “Do not report occasional common illnesses such as colds or sore throats.”) Most people have something to report here, and the FAA doesn’t expect you to never have been sick or hurt. Here is the list of things the FAA specifically asks about: (Click the triangle for details.)

• Frequent or severe headaches

  Chronic (daily or weekly) headaches, headaches that have required medical treatment, migraine headaches, cluster headaches, or headaches associated with visual or neurological symptoms.
• Dizziness or fainting spell

  Frequent spinning or lightheadedness; other factors associated with episodes of dizziness or fainting, such as headache, nausea, loss of consciousness, tingling, numbness, vertigo.
• Unconsciousness for any reason

  Unconsciousness, no matter how short, whether explained or unexplained.
• Eye or vision trouble except glasses

  Unusual visual experiences (halos, wavy lines, etc.), sensitivity to light, eye injury, loss of vision, vision discomfort, eye surgery.
• Hay fever or allergy

  Chronic or seasonal allergies controlled by allergy shots and/or medication, nasal allergies, nasal obstruction, sinus block, sinusitis.
• Asthma or lung disease

  Asthma attacks; use of an inhaler; COPD; chronic bronchitis; emphysema; fistula; fungal disease; pleurisy; pneumothorax; pulmonary embolism; pulmonary fibrosis; chest surgery; tumor(s).
• Heart or vascular trouble

  Angina, heart pain, coronary heart disease, heart attack, myocardial infarction, abnormal rhythm, atrial fibrillation, cardioversion, cardiac failure, congestive heart failure, heart enlargement, cardiac decompensation, hypertrophy or dilation of the heart, pulmonary hypertension, heart valve disease, heart valve repair or replacement, pacemaker, anti-tachycardia device, implantable defibrillator, congenital heart disease, endocarditis, heart inflammation, pericarditis or heart transplant.
• High or low blood pressure

  Diagnosis of high or low blood pressure, whether treated or not; use of blood pressure medication of any kind.
• Stomach, liver, or intestinal trouble

  Appendicitis, bleeding ulcer, bowel obstruction, cancer, Crohn's disease, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, colostomy, irritable bowel syndrome, hernia, ulcerative colitis, any surgery.
• Kidney stone or blood in urine

  Kidney stone, kidney cancer, kidney transplant, blood in urine, chronic recurrent urinary tract infections, urinating frequently at night.
• Diabetes

  Pre-diabetes, type I diabetes, or type II diabetes treated with insulin, medication (oral or injectable), and/or diet and exercise.
• Neurological disorders

  Epilepsy, seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc. Also, muscle weakness, disturbance of sensation, disturbance of consciousness, loss of coordination, head injury, concussion.
• Mental disorders of any sort (including ADD/ADHD)

  Depression, anxiety, etc. Also, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis.
• Other illness, disability, or surgery
• Admission to hospital
• Motion sickness requiring medication

  Unresolved, chronic motion sickness (in flight or while traveling by other vehicle) for which you must be medicated.
• Drug or alcohol abuse

  Substance dependence or failed a drug test ever; or substance abuse or use of illegal substance in the last 2 years. Alcohol dependence or abuse.
• Suicide attempt
• Insurance or military medical rejection

  Military medical discharge, medical rejection by military service, or rejection for life or health insurance
• Use of medical disability benefits

Visits to Health Professionals (Last 3 Years)

• For treatment, examination, or medical/mental evaluation
• By a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, clinical social worker, or substance abuse specialist.

• Routine dental, eye, and FAA periodic medical examinations
• Counseling unrelated to a personal substance abuse or psychiatric condition
• Consultations with your employer-sponsored employee assistance program (EAP), if they are unrelated to substance abuse, and didn’t result in referral for psychiatric evaluation or treatment

Arrests and/or Convictions (Lifetime)

Any of these, in your entire life:

• Arrests or convictions involving driving and alcohol or a drug
• Denial, suspension, cancellation, revocation of driving privileges, or required attendance of a education/rehab program
• Convictions (misdemeanors or felonies), except traffic convictions

Basically, the only convictions you can omit are traffic convictions that did not involve any of these: alcohol or a drug; suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of driving privileges; or attendance at an education/rehab program.

What If I Have Something in My History?

If you have something that you think my be of concern, call your Aviation Medical Examiner before you fill in the medical application form. Aviation Medical Examiners know what will be OK and how to handle anything problematic, so get advice first.

Preparing for the Visiting Your Aviation Medical Examiner

• If you’re sick, call your examiner to reschedule.
• If you’re working through a short-term health incident, try to schedule after you’re healthy.
• Bring your contacts and glasses. Also, make sure your contacts and glasses are up-to-date. (Visit your optometrist, if needed.)
• If you’ve been hospitalized or had surgery since you last visited your Aviation Medical Examiner, ask what paperwork you should bring.
• Before your appointment, fill in your medical application in the FAA’s MedXpress web app.
• Drink some water before you go to the appointment.
• Relax, most Aviation Medical Examiners are easy to get along with!