Aviation Blog

December 3, 2020 | Pilot Law

Selecting a HIMS AME

Selecting a HIMS AME for your FAA medical certification can be a daunting process. What is a HIMS AME? What does a HIMS AME do? A HIMS AME is a senior Aviation Medical Examiner which has undergone the necessary training in the “HIMS” program in order to monitor airmen for certain medical conditions. “HIMS” stands […]

November 15, 2020 | Pilot Law

FAA Medical Denial for ADHD

Have you received a FAA medical denial for ADHD? Let’s analyze how you got to a denial and what can be done to appeal the denial. At least three questions on the FAA medical application (Form 8500-8) can identify to the FAA that an individual potentially has a history of ADHD. Specifically, those questions are […]

November 14, 2020 | Pilot Law

How to Prevent a FAA Medical Denial?

How to prevent a FAA medical denial is a question frequently asked of The Ison Law Firm by airmen. What is the most critical step to preventing a FAA medical denial? Preparation. Time and time again, airmen will complete their Form 8500-8, get examined by their Aviation Medical Examiner (“AME”), pay their fee to the […]

August 12, 2020 | Pilot Law

Your FAA Medical Denial

Your FAA medical denial is not the end of the road for your flying career. Did you know that most FAA medical denials are not “final denials?” In other words, most FAA medical denials are subject to considerable “reconsideration” and potentially even review by the National Transportation Safety Board. To that end, not all FAA […]

July 3, 2020 | Pilot Law

Unreported Conditions on Your FAA Medical Application

Yes, unreported conditions on your FAA medical application could lead to serious consequences. Maybe it was an accident. You didn’t really read the questions. You misunderstood the question. You were afraid to report something that could lead to denial of your medical application. If the FAA discovers an unreported condition, including DUI arrests and VA […]

January 18, 2020 | Pilot Law

Three Steps to Avoid a FAA Medical Denial

There are three steps to avoid a FAA medical denial, whether you’ve been flying for years or this is your first FAA medical application. As you probably already know, a pilot’s license is only as good as the medical certificate that you hold. If you’re an ATP, student pilot, or just interested in getting into […]

February 7, 2019 | Pilot Law

What Should Your FAA DUI Attorney Tell You About DUI Convictions

What should your FAA DUI attorney tell you about DUI convictions? The first thing your FAA DUI attorney should tell you is that whether you are convicted of a DUI may not matter when it comes to obtaining your FAA medical certificate. More specifically, if you are arrested for DUI, but later convicted of a […]

February 3, 2019 | Pilot Law

Consequences of Failing to Report a DUI to the FAA

Failure to report a DUI to the FAA comes with some pretty serious repercussions. Generally, when you’ve been arrested for DUI, you potentially have two (and in some cases, three) reporting requirements to the FAA. The first reporting requirement occurs on your airman medical application – if you’ve been arrested for DUI, you must report that arrest […]

January 25, 2019 | Pilot Law

When a Pilot Fails a DOT Drug Test

The FAA’s guidelines at Order 2150.3b call for the revocation of all certificates when a pilot fails a DOT drug test. All Part 121 and Part 135 (and some Part 145) operators are required by the FAA at Part 120 to test pilots and other certificate holders performing safety sensitive positions for a variety of […]

January 9, 2019 | Pilot Law

FAA Medical Application Deferred Due to A DUI

Was your FAA medical application due to a DUI on your record? When a FAA medical application is deferred due to a DUI, your aviation medical examiner (“AME”) cannot issue you a medical “on the spot.” Instead, your AME has to send your file directly to the FAA (either your regional flight surgeon or the […]