As certified pilots, you may encounter complex legal issues regarding your medical certification. Regardless of the issue, our team of aviation lawyers can help you.
At The Ison Law Firm, our nationwide FAA medical lawyers focus exclusively on airman medical certification. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience as attorneys and pilots. We thoroughly understand the rules and regulations for airman medical certification and how to defend you against unjust decisions.
Contact The Ison Law Firm at (855) 322-1215 to schedule a confidential case review with one of our nationwide FAA medical lawyers. Let us help you avoid an FAA medical denial.
How Our Nationwide Aviation Lawyers Can Help You With Issues Related to Your Medical Certification
As certified pilots, we thoroughly understand FAA medical certification requirements. As experienced aviation lawyers, we have a comprehensive understanding of aviation law. Being licensed pilots and attorneys gives us a distinct advantage over attorneys who do not fly.
Because we focus our law practice on medical certification issues, we have extensive experience with all matters related to your pilot medical certification. We handle cases and matters before the FAA and the NTSB. Therefore, we can represent you throughout all phases of any matter related to pilot medical certification.
When you hire our top-rated FAA medical lawyer lawyers, you can trust we will:
- Thoroughly investigate your case to determine the issues involved with your medical certification
- Work with your doctors to ensure they understand FAA eligibility requirements
- Refer you to credentialed aviation medicine specialists or our experienced physician on staff when necessary
- Explain how the law and your circumstances impact your FAA medical certification
- Appeal denials of your airman medical certification
- Work with you to develop a plan to resolve the problem with your FAA medical certification
Our attorneys provide a worldwide defense to all FAA certificate holders. Our FAA medical attorneys can help you with your airman medical certification issues wherever you are situated.
At The Ison Law Firm, our attorneys have top ratings for their legal services. They are also recognized nationally by prestigious organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and The National Aviation Trial Lawyers.
Call The Ison Law Firm today to speak with an FAA medical lawyer. Your consultation is always confidential.
What Is an FAA Medical Certification?
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate is a legal document that states you are fit to operate an aircraft. Before you can obtain an FAA medical certificate, you must complete an examination conducted by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). If you have trouble locating an AME, you can search for an AME near you on the FAA’s website. A medical certification examination tests your hearing, vision, cardiovascular health, and general health.
There are three classes of medical certificates an airman may obtain. Generally, first-class medical certificates are required if you are an airline transport pilot. Commercial pilots can have a second-class medical certificate. Students, private pilots, and recreational pilots can have a third-class medical certificate.
Some pilots can fly with a BasicMed certification instead of an FAA medical certificate. However, there are strict rules a pilot must follow if they have a BasicMed certification. For example, they can only fly aircraft that carries no more than five passengers, is not operated for compensation or hire, and flies below 18,000 feet MSL, below 250 knots, and under VRR or IFR.
If you are denied a medical certificate in the class you need, contact our nationwide FAA medical lawyers about appealing the medical certification denial.
Conditions That May Disqualify You From Obtaining an FAA Medical Certificate
The FAA follows strict guidelines for issuing pilots a medical certificate. The reason is that a pilot must be in good health to be able to operate a plane. Otherwise, the pilot and others are in danger if the pilot’s medical condition impairs their ability to control the aircraft.
Some conditions that could potentially disqualify a pilot from receiving their FAA medical certification include, but are not limited to:
- Cardiac-related issues, including angina pectoris, heart replacement, coronary heart disease, cardiac valve replacement, and permanent cardiac pacemaker
- A personality disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychosis that is severe enough to manifest in overt acts
- Substance dependency or substance abuse
- Epilepsy or a disturbance of consciousness that does not have a satisfactory explanation or cause
- Certain medications, including but not limited to ADHD medications, experimental study drugs, and medications with less than 12 months of FDA approval
- A diabetes diagnosis that requires hypoglycemic medication
You may be denied an FAA medical certificate if you have any of the above conditions or other disqualifying conditions. However, you can appeal the FAA’s denial of your airman medical certification if your condition is controlled with regular medical treatment. The FAA could issue a medical certificate, requiring you to file periodic reports to show that your condition continues to be adequately controlled with medical treatment.
Appealing a Denial of Your FAA Medical Certificate
The FAA may deny your medical certificate for many reasons. If you receive an FAA medical denial, you have just 30 days to file a request for reconsideration with the FAA. However, we strongly recommend you seek legal advice immediately upon receiving an FAA denial of your medical certification.
Our nationwide FAA medical lawyers can help you develop a strategy for appealing the FAA denial of your medical certification. We may seek expert opinions and include medical reports and test results to prove that you are fit to fly.
If the FAA confirms the denial of your pilot medical certificate, you can appeal the decision to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Your appeal must be filed within 60 days after the FAA issues its decision.
Keep in mind that a denial based on a “specifically disqualifying” condition cannot be appealed to the FAA. If you have a condition that results in automatic denial of your medical certification, you must appeal the decision directly to the NTSB.
Possible Alternatives When Your FAA Medical Certificate Is Denied
Our nationwide FAA medical lawyers examine all potential avenues to help you obtain medical approval to fly. Two possible solutions when the FAA denies your medical certification are:
An Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate
The Federal Air Surgeon may issue an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate, commonly referred to as a Special Issuance. The Federal Air Surgeon must find that you have demonstrated you can perform the duties required by the class of medical certificate applied for without endangering public safety. The Special Issuance has a defined time limit for when it is valid. The Federal Air Surgeon may authorize a practical test, special medical flight test, or medical evaluation to determine if you meet the criteria for a Special Issuance.
A Special Issuance medical certificate is only valid for the time specified in the Special Issuance. Once the Special Issuance expires, the pilot must demonstrate to the Federal Air Surgeon they can continue to perform the required duties without endangering public safety.
AMEs may be able to re-issue a pilot’s medical certificate under the provisions of the Special Issuance. The Special Issuance must specify the information that treating physicians must provide to re-issue the medical certificate. If the pilot provides the required medical information, an AME can re-issue the medical certificate for a specific period.
Obtaining a Special Issuance can be challenging. Our nationwide FAA medical lawyers understand the process and can help you navigate the requirements for receiving a Special Issuance.
A Statement of Demonstrated Ability
A Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) is issued at the discretion of the Federal Air Surgeon. A SODA may be issued instead of an Authorization when the Federal Air Surgeon determines that your disqualifying condition is nonprogressive or stable. You must be capable of performing your duties and responsibilities without causing the public to be in danger.
An SODA does not expire. An AME can issue a medical certificate for a specific class if the AME determines your condition has not adversely changed. It is important to understand that the Federal Air Surgeon may place operational limitations on the SODA and any medical certificate issued based upon the SODA.
Proving to the Federal Air Surgeon that you meet the criteria for a Statement of Demonstrated Ability can be difficult. Our nationwide FAA medical attorneys can help you prepare the documentation and obtain the medical documentation to convince the Federal Air Surgeon you are capable of flying.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation With Our Nationwide FAA Medical Lawyers
Your FAA medical certification may be denied for many reasons. You might have made a mistake on the application, or your doctor may have reported something incorrectly in your medical records. Unfortunately, appealing an FAA medical denial is time-sensitive. We encourage you to reach out to our office today. Our attorneys can also work with you to prevent an FAA medical denial.
When you have a problem with your airman medical certification, you need an experienced pilot and lawyer on your side. In short, you need The Pilot Lawyer at The Ison Law Firm to handle your case. Call now for a confidential consultation with a nationwide FAA medical lawyer.
