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It isn't a closely guarded secret. And there is no such thing as a "regular" brain tumor. But the AME Guide that the FAA puts out is for the most commonly encountered conditions. Anything not explicitly spelled out with requirements by the FAA says "submit all pertinent requirements." It takes...

We have helped a few pilots with history of and/or current pituitary adenoma. The length and breadth of the plan is not something simply given in a forum post. You should engage with an AME experienced in complicated cases or use one of the consulting services like AMAS, Pilot Medical Solutions...

Doctors want to be paid. To be paid in the traditional insurance system they need to bill. To bill they need to diagnose. People like you should probably start with non-medical counselors before seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist. A good psychiatrist should start with several "rule outs"...

Generally no, but you don't necessarily need a HIMS Psychiatrist either. You need to be doing well and have good documentation of that. As I mentioned above, for mental health things that frequently does mean a HIMS Psychiatrist. If you do want a HIMS Psychiatrist then you either need a HIMS AME...

No. HIMS AMEs are absolutely required for substance abuse history and current SSRI use. HIMS AMEs are generally more experienced so sometimes they get recommended for more complicated cases, but that doesn't mean they are required. We frequently recommend a client use HIMS Psychiatrists...

I don't really disagree with @lbfjrmd, but you don't need a HIMS AME. It is really hard to give good answers with such limited information though.

When you fill out the MedXPress, answer "yes" to the mental health question. For your comment put "single episode of depression (assuming this is true) in 20XX, previously reported with no symptoms since last medical."

The big issue here is if you meet the CACI criteria. If you do, then by all means, keep flying and report on the next medical. If you don't, then you should stop. If you want to know for sure then find an AME who knows what they are doing or use one of the aviation medicine consulting services...

You essentially need a detailed clinical progress note. Given the length of time you were taking it, you should expect your exam to be deferred. Depending on the quality of the progress note from your doctor the FAA may, or may not, request additional information or an evaluation by a psychiatrist.

Depends on how much effort you are willing to put into getting your medical. You’ll need updated documentation from the right specialists. Depending on how those go, you may get through.

A new exam cannot be processed fully while a case is still in the adjudication phase. So there is no point in doing another exam at this time.

Oophf, that is a tough one. So much depends on your actual recovery and how well it is documented by the professionals involved. A HIMS AME has a lot of, I don't want to say control, but influence on when and how you move through the program. I can't accurately give you a time because it is...

Many times when we see cases like this there is a discrepancy between what the pilot and their doctors think they are sending in and what the FAA asked for. Either information is missing or additional information, previously unknown to the FAA, was provided. A lot of times these are simple...

No. But you aren't required to stay in state. https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/AeromedicalNeuropsychologistList.pdf

People often misunderstand the FAA exam. It isn't a regular check up at the doctor. It is an examination just like if you were going for a check ride. Ideally you would prepare for it in advance. There are ways to do that.

There are very few differences between the medical requirements for a 3rd class, 2nd class or 1st class. Primarily it comes down to how often the FAA wants you evaluated. There are some things specified with cardiology as well, but the rest is all subjective within the FAA halls. You can fly any...

There were no hiccups because you did not disclose a potentially disqualifying condition. Being treated with a SSRI medication requires some kind of diagnosis. The FAA assumes that physicians do things correctly. Any condition would require years of SSRI use would be disqualifying until you go...

Especially because you were on medication for an extended time, this does require more detailed information per the FAA guidelines. You were unfortunately dealing with AMEs who didn't do you any favors. The letter from the FAA should be pretty specific in what they want. However, given that you...

Route 1 is not easy. There are still many steps and the right documentation is needed. If you do everything correctly, and everything looks good, it will still take about 6-12 months.

@Wanna Fly I am sorry to hear about your issues. Wellbutrin is indeed a prohibited medication as it has a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the accepted SSRI medications. And while that may not be true for your case, the FAA simply isn't willing to take that bet. You effectively...