The Pilot Lawyer Podcast

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/

The FAA is one of the largest government agencies in the United States.  And, as you are aware, anything associated with the government moves at a snail-like speed.

Which means… 

Your review can take as long as 6 months—and that’s if you are lucky enough to understand their complicated process. 

Unfortunately for you, your ability to fly rests in their hands. And you can’t get paid while they drag their feet. and you are sitting at home not flying and not getting paid while they drag their feet.  

This is why you need the help of professionals that understand the loopholes and have built relationships within the FAA to help speed up the process.  

In this episode, you’ll discover how to speed up your application, so that you are not at the bottom of the barrel. 

Want to start your review process and get your medical certificate as soon as possible? 

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• The “Line Hopping” technique to get your application to the top of the FAA’s queue (9:53)
• Two novice mistakes applicants make when submitting their review that makes the FAA take months to get to it (10:26)
• The three-week delay that can be avoided if you do this quick application technique (10:36)
• The 30-second trick when submitting your application that helps you avoid three-week delays (10:36) 
• Have more than one medical issue? Here’s how to submit your application with the FAA so you can hit the air 6 months sooner (21:23)
• The sneaky “timed out” trap that delays your medical certificate (23:42)
• The “nudge” letter that gets the FAA to move and start processing your application so that you start traveling the world (25:53)

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

The FAA and the AME work together to make sure they catch pilots with different conditions and a common one is sleep apnea. 

Sleep apnea raises red flags.  It can impact the pilot’s ability to fly and can lead to other health issues, according to the FAA.    

That’s the bad news.

The good news?

You can continue to fly with sleep apnea or a history of it if you deal with the FAA correctly. 

In this episode, you’ll discover how to navigate the FAA and its overwhelming procedures when it comes to dealing with pilots that have a history with sleep apnea.  

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• How to answer question18 on your medical application if you have sleep apnea and want to keep flying (3:30)
• Why disclosing sleep apnea history to the FAA is crucial (be careful this can impact your medical certificate) (4:41)
• How the AME secretly works with the FAA to make sure you disclose sleep apnea (and how this can delay your flying time) (5:18)
• The insidious way FAA monitors your sleep apnea on your AME tests (and what this means to pilots with a medical history) (7:48)
• What this “integrated” AME screening assessment means to you and your history with sleep apnea (8:14)
• The serious repercussions if the FAA discovers a pilot did not disclose sleep apnea (and how you can avoid this) (9:16)
• How you can get treatment for sleep apnea so that the FAA will let you fly (27:10)

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

As if having Diabetes isn’t difficult on its own.  You must watch your diet, take insulin, and live a healthy lifestyle.

Then, you’re a pilot and must deal with the laundry list of the FAA requirements – even if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

The stress of dealing with the FAA’s laundry list of requirements can definitely spike your insulin.

There are just too many variables and risks if you submit your application on your own.

In this episode, you’ll discover the best way to submit your application whether you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes.  Ensure you have the best shot at getting your medical certificate and tune in.  

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• Why the FAA treats every application differently (even if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes) (3:50)
• How a diabetic should answer question 18 on the medical application (even if you are pre-diabetic) (8:32)
• The sneaky way the FAA uses “triage” to diagnose your diabetes situation (8:53)
• How these new rules for type 1 diabetes are impacting your ability to fly (9:38) 
• What is a “CACI” qualified condition and how it keeps you from flying (especially if you are pre-diabetic) (9:59)
• Why you should hold onto 6 months of CGM data (if you want to get approved to fly) (11:59)
• The most common reason the FAA rejects your CGM data or eye exam results (15:17)

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

In today’s world, everyone seems to be an expert.  

Advice seems to be free, and you can get it just about anywhere – including Reddit.  

The “Reddit” effect causes you to believe that your situation is the same as everyone else’s when dealing with the FAA.  You wing it on your own, spend lots of time trying to figure it out and get misled by false information.

This is a disaster waiting to happen, especially when dealing with the subtle nuances that the FAA looks for in every situation.  

In this episode, you’ll discover how to spot good advice from bad ones and how not to accidentally leave out important details for you to keep your FAA medical license.  

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• How to avoid getting false information from so called “online-experts” when it comes to the FAA (2:45)
• Why using Reddit to get your answers for your FAA certification might leave you without a license (3:40)
• The “wingman” effect that leaves you in the FAA’s bad books (and how to avoid this) (8:57)
• Use this simple trick to get your records and documentation for the FAA to be reviewed ASAP (11:14)
• How to speed up your physicians’ review that puts your application in front of the FAA queue.  (11:33)
• The Three reasons why most applicant’s FAA medical certifications get denied (and how to stop this from happening to you) (5:52)
• Why most pilots incorrectly read their medical history and get into trouble with the FAA (7:55)
• The two professions you need on your side to make sure your certification process goes smoothly with the FAA (14:05)
• Why you should never provide this “classified” type of information to the FAA (17:13)

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

An intentional falsification charge is deadly. It can result in a total revocation of all your certifications, and can keep you stuck to the ground for at least a year. 

So, how do you fight the FAA on an intentional falsification charge? Well, first some good news: The FAA won’t come knocking without reason. 

But it can still happen, and for reasons that may not even be on your radar. 

But don’t worry… In this episode, you’ll discover what an intentional falsification charge means, how to best fight it to win your case, and examples of what can make the FAA come knocking. 

Listen now. 

Show highlights include: 

• Why falsifying your AMA medical certification results in total revocation of your ability to fly (2:14)  
• How a revocation “nukes” all your certifications you worked hard to earn (and how you can reapply for certifications) (3:30) 
• The 3 elements the FAA must establish to prove intentional falsification (5:21) 
• How a recent therapy session can make the FAA deny your certification (and how to get around them) (7:45) 
• 3 examples of how the FAA can find out about intentional falsities (even though they won’t actively hunt them down) (18:45) 
• How to tell the truth on your medical certification (without oversharing and causing the FAA to investigate) (22:36)
• Why treating your FAA investigation like an arrest protects yourself from losing your flying license (23:33)

Alcohol is a complicated topic – especially when dealing with the FAA.  Each situation is treated uniquely, and your personal history plays a role.

The FAA has specific guidelines for you having a substance issue problem and they definitely don’t make it easy.

Once you are labeled as having a “substance issue” you might never be able to fly again.

This is why you have to be careful how you present your personal statements.

The “gray” areas are where they get you.

On the one hand, you could have one DUI and never be able to fly again. Or have multiple DUI’s and fly without a problem.

In this episode, you’ll discover the ins and outs of how to deal with the FAA when it comes to substance abuse issues.  Plus, we reveal  the tricks the FAA uses to catch you in these “gray” areas.

Listen now:

Show highlights include: 

• How to answer question “18V” if you were arrested (even if you were dismissed) (3:21)
• Why understanding the difference between “substance abuse” and “substance dependence” can help you keep your license (8:00)
• The “special issuance” report required if you have substance dependence (8:46)
• The 6 “substance issues” requirement by the FAA that you must do to keep your license (9:09)
• Always be honest in your “personal statement” (10:28)
• The 4 things the FAA looks for when evaluating you as having “substance dependence” (11:42)

Pilots with even a mild case of anxiety should proceed with caution when dealing with the FAA.

The big bad FAA can be sneaky with their set of questions. In fact, they could be setting you up for a trap.

How do you avoid these potholes set up by the FAA?

There is no simple answer.  Every case is like a “snowflake” with unique variables.  

The complexity is frustrating and filling out the wrong form (including providing too much information) will leave you grounded without ever flying again.

In this episode, you’ll discover the ins and outs of how to navigate the system created by the FAA if you have a history of anxiety or are currently enduring it now.  

Listen now:

Show highlights include: 

• How you should answer the dreaded “Question 18 M” on the medical application (especially if you have anxiety) (2:14)
• Why most pilots underestimate the term “History of Anxiety” when filling out their medical application (proceed with caution) (2:23)
• How this medication can prevent you from flying forever (even if its been years since you’ve taken it) (3:43)
• The 3 things you must always keep a record of when the FAA comes knocking on your door (5:23) 
• The psychiatric treatment that can leave you without a license (even if you think its minor) (5:28)
• The sneaky way the FAA sets you up for a trap with these sets of questions (5:42)
• Don’t fall for this “records” strategy by the FAA when they ask you for historical information (6:13) 
• The best time to bring in an attorney to review your file (most do it too late) (22:33)

As a veteran, you served part of your life for your country.  You did your dues and now finally you have a second career as a pilot out of the military.  

Everything is going well.  You are getting VA disability benefits for a condition that you have.  Life is good.  

Then you realize you have to deal with the FAA.    

What is actually happening in the background?  

The FAA and the VA are putting their heads together and this means you might not be getting your medical certificate as the hammer is coming down hard.  

In this episode, you’ll discover what to do if you are a Veteran claiming VA disability benefits and how to deal with the FAA.  Make your life easier and navigate the complicated system with a trusted legal advisor that breathes this every day.  

Listen now:

Show highlights include: 

• Why there has been a rise in ramifications by the FAA for Veterans with benefits (and how to avoid this) (2:08)
• What you should never tell the FAA as a Veteran (if you want your application to be approved) (2:34)
• The “Cross Referencing” process the FAA and the Veteran’s association do to keep tabs on you (3:45)
• The three severe medical conditions as a Veteran that can still get you a medical certificate (10:25) 
• The dreaded “letter of correction” by the FAA and what you should do to fix your application (13:01)
• What you must do immediately if you are receiving VA benefits and haven’t told the FAA (20:05)