Aviation Blog

June 5, 2026 | FAA Medical News

What Is the FAA Sleep Apnea Compliance Form 8500-16?

Understanding the FAA Sleep Apnea Compliance Form and What It Means for Your Medical Certificate The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. If you are a pilot diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the FAA sleep apnea compliance form, Form 8500-16, is critical to obtaining your airman medical certificate. This […]

June 4, 2026 | Pilot Law

Shy Bladder During a DOT Drug Test: Why Leaving Early Counts as a Refusal

What Every Pilot Needs to Know About DOT Drug Testing and Shy Bladder Refusals The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. Key Takeaways: For pilots subject to DOT drug testing, a shy bladder situation is not a free pass to leave the collection site early. Under 49 CFR § 40.191(a)(2), […]

June 1, 2026 | FAA Medical News

The New FAA OSA Treated Status Report: What Changed for Pilots in 2026

The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. On May 27, 2026, the FAA released a significant update to its Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) Guide, introducing a new Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Treated Status Report under the AME ALERT section. For pilots managing sleep apnea, pursuing initial certification, or navigating Special […]

May 29, 2026 | FAA Medical News

How to Keep Flying While Taking Blood Pressure Medication

Flying on Blood Pressure Medication: What Pilots Need to Know The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. A hypertension diagnosis does not have to end your flying career. Thousands of pilots manage high blood pressure while maintaining valid FAA medical certificates. The key lies in understanding which medications the FAA […]

May 29, 2026 | FAA Medical News

March 2026 AME Guide Update Changes Cardiac Certification for Pilots

A late-March 2026 update to the FAA’s Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners changed several heart-related certification rules affecting pilots and other airmen completing medical paperwork. The FAA’s March 25, 2026, revision highlighted reduced recovery periods for certain coronary heart disease and left atrial appendage device cases, along with a revised syncope decision tool. faa.gov For […]

May 8, 2026 | FAA Medical News

What the Aviation Medication Transparency Act Means for Pilots

A pair of bipartisan bills advancing through Congress could fundamentally change how pilots, air traffic controllers, and their physicians navigate FAA medication rules, and the stakes for anyone completing an FAA Form 8500-8 medical application have never been higher. The Aviation Medication Transparency Act would require the FAA to publish within one year of enactment, […]

May 6, 2026 | FAA Medical News

What Pilots With ADHD Must Know About FAA Medical Eligibility

The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. ADHD is not a specifically disqualifying condition under the regulations, but it triggers one of the FAA’s most rigorous medical review processes. Whether you were diagnosed as a child, took Adderall in college, or currently manage symptoms with medication, the FAA will scrutinize […]

April 20, 2026 | FAA Medical News

Can Pilots on SSRI Antidepressants Get FAA Medical Certification?

The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. Yes, pilots taking approved SSRI antidepressants can obtain FAA medical certification through a Special Issuance authorization pathway. This process, while rigorous, has become more accessible following recent policy changes that reduced the required waiting period from six months to three months on a […]

April 6, 2026 | FAA Medical News

Can a Pilot With ADHD Get an FAA Medical Certificate in 2026?

The Ison Law Firm is based in Florida and represents pilots nationwide. Yes, pilots with ADHD can obtain an FAA medical certificate in 2026, but certification requires careful navigation of federal regulations and thorough documentation. The FAA does not automatically disqualify applicants with ADHD history. The agency evaluates each case individually under mental standards provisions […]