Coming back to aviation after 13 years - fixing omission on medical

[JAB19]

So, as a background. I joined the Army out of high school, but was disqualified my first week due to something called bilateral papilledema (basically a swelling of the optic nerve) they found while doing an eye exam after I'd gotten woozy standing at attention for a few hours. After getting out, I saw a civilian specialist who did a battery of tests and told me I didn't have that condition at all, and my eyes were fine.

Shortly after, I started doing flight lessons near my college. On the medical, I just stupidly checked "no" on everything because they said I was fine. Yeah, dumb kid. Flying turned out to be more expensive than I could afford, and I quit a couple months later before getting my private license, and went on doing other things with my life.

It's now 13 years later, and I've been thinking of getting back into it. Reading through the medical forms it's obvious I should have checked yes on some of the questions. How do I go about fixing this?

I'm not really worried about legal ramifications due to it being past the statute of limitations, but I do wonder how it will affect my ability to get a new medical certificate.

Thanks for your help.

 

[bbchien]

So, as a background. I joined the Army out of high school, but was disqualified my first week due to something called bilateral papilledema (basically a swelling of the optic nerve) they found while doing an eye exam after I'd gotten woozy standing at attention for a few hours. After getting out, I saw a civilian specialist who did a battery of tests and told me I didn't have that condition at all, and my eyes were fine.

Shortly after, I started doing flight lessons near my college. On the medical, I just stupidly checked "no" on everything because they said I was fine. Yeah, dumb kid. Flying turned out to be more expensive than I could afford, and I quit a couple months later before getting my private license, and went on doing other things with my life.

It's now 13 years later, and I've been thinking of getting back into it. Reading through the medical forms it's obvious I should have checked yes on some of the questions. How do I go about fixing this?

I'm not really worried about legal ramifications due to it being past the statute of limitations, but I do wonder how it will affect my ability to get a new medical certificate.

Thanks for your help.

So to be helpful (this is soooo very public) I'd have to know some specifics. Some are very serious, some not so much.....but for sure the general outline is to have ZERO contact with the medical branch until you have a completely obviously qualified portfolio to submit all at once. In so doing, you give the medical office the option (1) just issue the kid and warn him for future behavior, vs, (2) Throw the guy to the inspector general for falsification.

If you don't give him that option, guess what he chooses?
If you give him that option, guess what he ALWAYS chooses?
There is no statute of limitation for lying to an agency of "los federales".

 

[JAB19]

Thanks for the advice. I'm not in a hurry to get to the medical examiner, as I'm still gathering all the hospital records together.

I tried DMing you to ask what specifics you were talking about, but the site wouldn't let me. Ah well. You can ask here if you feel like it's not too bad an idea. Anyway, thanks again for the advice.

 

[bbchien]

I turned off PMs because ther are always a few jack holes some of whom have made physical threats, yes that’s right.

But you can do it through my website if you look carefully at my sig line.

 

[AggieMike88]

Http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/how-to-start.html

 

[stratobee]

I'm confused.

You thought you had a medical condition, that was then proven by doctors to, in fact, not exist. So you don't have it. Why was it then wrong to say "no" on the form?

 

[AggieMike88]

@stratobee -- The OP provided the following information....

it's obvious I should have checked yes on some of the questions

Which has me to believe that he is saying that should have said yes to more than just the eye condition.

 

[JAB19]

I'm confused.

You thought you had a medical condition, that was then proven by doctors to, in fact, not exist. So you don't have it. Why was it then wrong to say "no" on the form?

It's the "have you ever in your life" wording. I didn't have it, but at one point in my life I was diagnosed with it, and that diagnosis is from a military doctor so I'm sure they have access to the records.

I'm gonna talk to the doc who posted up here earlier and see what he recommends as far as what I need to get in order. And for sure I'm gonna get a consultation with an experienced AME before I do a real medical check.

 

[Tarheelpilot]

It's the "have you ever in your life" wording. I didn't have it, but at one point in my life I was diagnosed with it, and that diagnosis is from a military doctor so I'm sure they have access to the records.

I'm gonna talk to the doc who posted up here earlier and see what he recommends as far as what I need to get in order. And for sure I'm gonna get a consultation with an experienced AME before I do a real medical check.

The doc above is one of the most experienced AME s you can find.

 

[AggieMike88]

II'm gonna talk to the doc who posted up here earlier and see what he recommends as far as what I need to get in order. And for sure I'm gonna get a consultation with an experienced AME before I do a real medical check.

You're doing the proper thing to obtain a consultation from a properly qualified AME before informing the FAA of anything.

And the AME you desire to consult with (Doc Chien) is one of the best for this purpose. And more. Much Much More.

 

[DesertNomad]

When you talk to Dr. Chien, be straight with him. He really is on your side and you've got probably the best guy in the country to sort out your paperwork with the powers that be.

 

[Jim_CAK]

When you talk to Dr. Chien, be straight with him. He really is on your side and you've got probably the best guy in the country to sort out your paperwork with the powers that be.

Good advice. Also - I would suggest you don’t post anymore about it on line. You don’t owe any of us follow up explanations. Work with the Doc privately and he will guide you on the best way through this.

 

[Brad Z]

Omission issue aside, when was your last medical? It's possible you may not need a new one if you pursue BasicMed to establish medical eligibility.