Aviation Blog

March 2, 2021 | Pilot Law

FAA Medical and VA Benefits for PTSD

Is it possible to obtain a FAA medical certificate and VA benefits for PTSD? There are many veterans who hold medical certificates with the FAA, despite actively receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”). While every case is different, the FAA typically considers an airman’s current mental health status, […]

February 26, 2021 | Pilot Law

FAA Civil Penalties for Drug Abatement Violations

FAA civil penalties for drug abatement violations can put a big dent in a small company’s pocketbook. If you are an air carrier or other certificate holder which is required to conduct DOT drug and alcohol testing for “safety sensitive” employees, the FAA can levy civil penalties for violations of regulatory, testing requirements. Specifically, companies […]

February 19, 2021 | Pilot Law

FAA is Unable to Establish Your Medical Eligibility

Did you receive a letter stating that the FAA is unable to establish your medical eligibility? This language is not particularly a cause for alarm. The FAA may conduct a reexamination of your eligibility to hold a medical certificate pursuant to 14 C.F.R. §67.413. This regulation authorizes the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine to request […]

February 9, 2021 | Drone Law | Pilot Law

Drone Operations Near Super Bowl LV

Drone Operations near the Super Bowl LV could lead to substantial fines from the FAA. Many novice and hobbyist Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or “drone” operators may be in for a big shock if caught operating a drone in defiance of the FAA’s Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) during the Super Bowl LV. On February 7, […]

February 9, 2021 | Pilot Law

TSA Imposes Fines Against Travelers Without Masks

Did you know that the TSA imposes fines against travelers without masks? In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) looks to curb the spread of the coronavirus by imposing fines against travelers for not wearing a mask while in the public transit domain.

February 4, 2021 | Pilot Law

FAA HIMS Step Down Protocol

In August of 2020, the FAA introduced the HIMS step down protocol for airman who hold a medical certificate pursuant to a special issuance authorization for “substance dependence.” In theory, the step down protocol works two ways for airmen on a “substance dependence” special issuance. In some regards, the new protocol works to eliminate the […]

December 9, 2020 | Pilot Law

FAA Medical Certificate Denied for Substance Dependence Part 2: Increased Tolerance

Has your FAA medical certificate been denied for “substance dependence?” If so, reference the previous article regarding the FAA’s criteria for “substance dependence.” You can read that article here: FAA Medical Certificate Denied for Substance Dependence: Part 1: Criteria for “Dependence” – The Pilot Lawyer This article will address the first and most problematic of […]

December 4, 2020 | Pilot Law

FAA Medical Certificate Denied for Substance Dependence: Part 1: Criteria for “Dependence”

Has your FAA medical certificate been denied for “substance dependence?” The first thing to know is that the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) has a different definition of “substance dependence” than does the rest of the medical community. Specifically, the medical community typically evaluates whether an individual has a “substance use disorder” by determining whether that […]

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 […]