The Pilot Lawyer Podcast

Pilots that are going through the medical certificate process usually are sweating buckets. 

Why?

Their whole career is literally on the line.  One bad medical condition and they are grounded for the rest of their lives.
Now, imagine you can speak to an FAA approved medical examiner before your official exam. 

Would this put your nerves at ease?

In this episode, Dr. Auren Weinberg, an FAA approved senior medical examiner joins us to reveal how to navigate the medical examination process.  Join us as we discuss how to get through this nerve wrecking experience as a pilot. 

Listen now!

Show highlights include: 

• The very first step every pilot must take to prepare for the medical examination (5:41)  
• Why these 2 tests are mandatory for every pilot during a medical examination (6:50)
• The top 2 “systemic diseases” the FAA vigilantly monitors in pilots (7:08)
• How to navigate FAA’s 3 tiers of medical examination (so you can finally fly again) (8:02)
• What are “CACI” conditions and how to get it approved as a pilot (so you can be back in the cockpit) (8:28)
• Discover these “Google hacks” to navigate FAA’s rigorous medical requirements for pilots (11:54)
• How these two conditions can permanently halt your pilot’s medical certificate (12:29)
• What happens if the FAA catches a lie on a pilot’s Medxpress application (16:38)
• How to pass the medical examination if you have vision problems as a pilot (21:17)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

The FAA just released a new standard for pilots with a history of ADHD.

Guess what?  It’s still as complicated as the previous one.

Most pilots try to navigate these complicated forms by themselves.

The risk of doing this?

The questions are designed to set you up for a trap.

If you answer one question incorrectly, you can kiss your pilot’s license goodbye. 

In this episode, we discuss ways to navigate the new ADHD requirements by the FAA and how to fast track your application.  Remember – the FAA isn’t on your side; they are trying to protect the public’s interest.  One hint of falsification can get your pilot’s license suspended.

Listen now!

Show highlights include: 

• The new FAA ADHD requirement that’s making pilots nervous (2:20)
• How these new tests for ADHD can make or break your career as a pilot (2:25) 
• Why the FAA and the AME secretly share your information (and how you can protect yourself) (3:10)
• The 4 new prerequisites to get a medical certificate approved by the FAA (3:32)
• Why only these two medical doctors can review and evaluate you for ADHD and get you flying again (4:16)
• How to navigate the new FAA rules if you have a history with ADHD medication (4:56)
• The dreaded “Section 18M” of the FAA medical application that’s causing pilots to lose their license (5:28)
• Why a pilot must keep pristine ADHD medication records for at least 4 years (if they want to keep their license) (7:20)
• How to prepare the ADHD documentation checklist to get the FAA off your back (7:32)
• The “Falsification” strategy that the FAA uses to monitor Section 67.43 and set you up for a trap (13:28) 

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

Your sleep—or lack thereof—can prevent you from flying and being able to support your family.

But the worst part? 

The worst part is that you may never even think obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for grounding you! 

Why? 

Well, the unfortunate truth is people with sleep apnea are usually the last to know. And this spells trouble for pilots. 

That’s the bad news. 

The good news? 

In this episode, Dr. Clayton Cowl from the Mayo Clinic joins us to reveal why the FAA cares about sleep apnea, how sleep apnea can cause severe health problems, and how you can keep your pilot’s license if you have sleep apnea.

Listen now!

Show highlights include: 

• The insidious way your sleep can creep up on you and prevent you from flying (without you even realizing it) (8:32) 
• Why the FAA sees obstructive sleep apnea as a potential detriment to your flight safety (9:19) 
• The severe downstream effects of obstructive sleep apnea that will make you want to make healthier lifestyle choices immediately (9:37) 
• Do you have hypertension? Here’s why you probably also have obstructive sleep apnea (and vice versa) (10:05) 
• How sleep apnea sabotages your sleep even when you think you get a full 8 hours of sleep (12:14) 
• 2 ways you can get obstructive sleep apnea even if you’re at a healthy weight (17:54) 
• Why being a veteran alerts the FAA that you may have sleep apnea (22:33) 
• Does having sleep apnea mean you’re forever doomed to the ground, unable to support your family? No, and here’s what you can do if you have sleep apnea… (24:49) 
• How to get an aircraft preflight inspection for your body and health (without risking your flight status) (34:55) 

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

Neuropsychology helps us understand how our brains think and act. 

The FAA keeps tabs on your brain with strict guidelines that ensure seamless flights through our skies.

Unfortunately, you break any of them, and you won’t be able to fly ever again.  

In this episode, Chuck Denison, who has dealt with 100’s of brain-related issues with the FAA, shows you how to protect your brain health. He also reveals the best way to disclose past and current brain issues to the FAA, so you don’t lose your ability to fly.  

Tune in now!

Show highlights include: 

• Why having these two memory issues keeps your license on thin ice (14:43)
• How these two “brain drains” kill your memory over time and impact your ability to fly (15:01)
• Discover a clever brain hack’ to solve common “pilot brain” issues and gain FAA Approval (15:10)
• Why a psychiatric evaluation safeguards your flying journey and peace of mind (16:30)
• The only two medical doctors you can trust for a smooth FAA medical procedure (19:00)
• How this Cogscreen test can stop you from getting your medical certificate (32:15)
• A proven 100% effective strategy to speed up the FAA paperwork (without having to do it on your own) (40:36)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

The FAA is the guardians of the sky.  

Their high standards with brain health can keep you grounded for a long time.    

They have neurologists on board as advisors to help them identify cognitive issues of pilots.

If you suffer from a neurological issue such as a repeating headache, or a seizure then you can kiss your pilot’s license goodbye.

But, if you know the rules of the FAA and how to navigate around it, there might be a way to continue to fly.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Joseph Sirven who has been on the FAA’s Neuro panel to discuss what the FAA looks for in brain health.  Tune in to navigate the complex FAA rules around neurology so that you can keep soaring through the skies.    

Tune in now!

Show highlights include: 

• How these brain patterns can keep you from flying ever again (7:12)
• The Neuro Exam by the FAA that tests your brain for decline (and how to ace it) (10:00)
• Do you have these three brain conditions that can impact your ability to fly?  (10:25)
• Use these doctor recommended strategies to safeguard your brain health (and prevent reoccurring issues) (11:35)
• What to look for in a neurologist who can get your brain back to peak performance (13:18)
• The “Hemosiderin” condition that derails most pilots from flying (16:40)
• Avoid these heavy brain meds that will make you sleepy while you fly (23:17)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

As unfair as it sounds, it can get a lot more difficult to get a medical certification with the FAA if you’re a veteran.

Why?

Because you’re fighting on two fronts.

Not only do you need to get past the FAA’s regulations, but the VA stands in your way just as much.

The core of the problem is your VA disability compensation.

And transitioning from the military to civilian flying entails going through several bureaucratic procedures at the same time.

The only real solution is to prepare yourself for the journey, so you anticipate the roadblocks that cost some transitioning veterans precious years of their time.

In today’s episode, you’ll discover why the FAA may defer your certification procedure, even if you pass your AME’s examination, and how most attorneys can use the FAA’s regulations to exploit you.

Listen now!

Show highlights include:

• How your VA disability compensation threatens your transition to civilian flying (1:24)
• The surprising reason not getting a reconciliation letter from the FAA may get you a license quicker (6:02)
• Why your biggest obstacle to become a commercial pilot waits right after your discharge from the military (and why neither an AME nor a union can help you) (17:58)
• How to spot attorneys who try to pull your leg right after you submit your records to the FAA (21:35)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

The FAA exists to ensure public safety.  

This is why they always have their eyes and ears wide open.  

Their strict rules and regulations can make even the perfect pilot go crazy.  

As a pilot, if you break any of their rules, you can say goodbye to your license and your ability to fly.  

If this wasn’t bad enough, they also have an anonymous hotline, where anyone can report you – even for a petty violation.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to navigate complaints made against you by an anonymous tip to the FAA hotline.  

You only have one shot to respond to the FAA after a complaint – and having a legal representative will increase your chance of keeping your license.

Listen now!

Show highlights include: 

• A simple allegation that can get you thrown onto FAA’s radar and get your license suspended (4:01)
• How any “John Doe” can take away your license by using a public library (4:25)
• Why these letters from the regional flight surgeon’s office will get you grounded as a pilot (7:12)
• How the Pilot’s bill of rights will protect you against complaints and get you flying in no time (10:11)
• 3 easy ways to prove a negative claim against you (without having to deal directly with the FAA) (17:06)
• The “Buffer layer” strategy to protect you against hotline complaints and the FAA (20:34) 
• 4 flying operational violations that can get you stuck on land and not make a living (22:19)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

The complication of getting a medical certificate with the FAA eats up a pilot’s time and energy.

Learning how to fly was probably a walk in the park compared to dealing with the FAA.  

Why spend all those years in school and then not be able to fly?

That’s the bad news.

There is hope when it comes to dealing with the FAA – not all pilots have to get their full traditional medical certificate.

Introducing BasicMed:  Your path to a faster way to fly and get approved with the FAA.

In this episode, you’ll discover what BasicMed is and how you can hack the traditional licensing process and fly almost immediately with just a simple driver’s license.  

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• The secret way a chiropractor can help you get your BasicMed license approved (7:30)
• One physical exam you need to get BasicMed and have yourself flying by almost next week (7:50)
• The secret 6-point checklist used by the FAA and why this can speed up your licensing process (7:50)
• How to get to the “Go Fly” FAA stamp of approval so you don’t spend months waiting on the ground (7:57)
• A simple application hack to qualify for BasicMed (even if you have a medical condition) (11:30) 
• Do you have this personality disorder that’s keeping you from getting BasicMed? (12:03)
• The weird way this 6000-pound gorilla will stop you from flying bigger aircrafts (23:11)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/

SSRIs are an anti-depressant.  If you are just an average person taking it, no one seems to care.  

But, if you are a pilot and trying to fly, sirens seem to go off at the FAA.  The FAA considers this a “serious medical” condition, and this might impact your ability to be a pilot.

What good is being a well-trained pilot if you can’t even fly and make a living?

There is hope!

You still can fly if you take SSRIs, but only if you understand the loopholes and the disclosure requirements.  

In this episode, you’ll discover all about SSRIs and the FAA.  The FAA goes through the application with a fine-tooth comb, so you want to avoid giving them too much information or too little.  

Tune in to discover how to get your application approved faster so that you can finally fly – especially if you take any antidepressants.  

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• Why the AME will defer your application and deny your certificate if you use Prozac (even though it’s approved on their website) (2:54)
• The 4 disqualifying SSRI medications that the AME frowns upon and impacts your ability to fly (3:59)
• Use these 2 secret loopholes to get you to fly again if you are still taking SSRIs (4:52)
• The only 4 conditions that the FAA will approve SSRIs so you can continue to keep your license (6:16)
• What does “clinically stable” mean to the FAA and why this might delay your ability to fly for another 6 months (7:31)
• The 5 antidepressants approved by the FAA so that you can finally get back in the air (8:01)
• Why having a “risk for recurrent” symptoms can end your career as a pilot (13:13)

For more information or to get in touch with us, go to https://thepilotlawyer.com/contact/