Does a felony 35 years ago automatically mean deferral

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FlyPlane

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FlyPlane
About 35 years ago as a teenager I was convicted of a felony robbery. It was non-violent and no drugs or alcohol were involved. I did one year in jail. No arrests since. Question: will this be an automatic deferral or is something like this totally at the discretion of an AME to defer me or not?
 
are you looking to just get a 3rd class to fly or are you looking to be a commercial pilot ? I dont believe it'll hinder you on the medical side - but it probably will if you're trying to get hired as a commercial pilot.
 
FlyPlane said:
About 35 years ago as a teenager I was convicted of a felony robbery. It was non-violent and no drugs or alcohol were involved. I did one year in jail. No arrests since. Question: will this be an automatic deferral or is something like this totally at the discretion of an AME to defer me or not?
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At least in my state, there's no such thing as a non-violent robbery. Without at least the threat of bodily injury, it's not robbery.

If this doesn't raise questions about your mental fitness, then it shouldn't be an issue for your medical or PPL. But there is a good character requirement for ATP.
 
Anthem said:
are you looking to just get a 3rd class to fly or are you looking to be a commercial pilot ? I dont believe it'll hinder you on the medical side - but it probably will if you're trying to get hired as a commercial pilot.
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Because I'm older now and in my 50's, I'm thinking of just getting my PPL but I could very well move on to my commercial if I enjoy flying enough. I wouldn't be interested in the airlines at this age. Maybe just cargo or maybe corporate.
 
Aren't you the same guy who admitted to lying on your medical? Class act we have here; do the industry a favor and stick to boating.
 
The short answer is that in and of itself, a criminal record likely won’t impact a medical of any class so long as drugs/alcohol aren’t part of the record.

But each case is unique and without all the facts related to the extant medical application, there’s no telling the outcome.
 
Anthem said:
are you looking to just get a 3rd class to fly or are you looking to be a commercial pilot ? I dont believe it'll hinder you on the medical side - but it probably will if you're trying to get hired as a commercial pilot.
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I’ve worked with felons. In commercial aviation.

Yes. I’ve had some awesome jobs …
 
Tarheelpilot said:
I’ve never worked in Alaska. Looks like a good time.
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If I had to do it all over again, that's an option that I'd seriously consider.

On the other hand you can just fly there and enjoy what it has to offer. It's an aviator's paradise for a whole variety of reasons.
 
Tarheelpilot said:
I’ve never worked in Alaska. Looks like a good time.
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It can be. Once a person understands and accepts the Eskimo lifestyle it can be a great place to live.

Same with living around the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi reservations.

The Eskimo and the First Americans are a great bunch of folks.!!
 
RadialGal said:
Aren't you the same guy who admitted to lying on your medical? Class act we have here; do the industry a favor and stick to boating.
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With the average price of 100LL in the New England states at $7 a gallon and DPEs charging $1000 for a private pilot practical test, I feel confident the “industry” is ok with robbery.
 
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To the OP:

YES.

You'll need the FBI fingerprint search
A commercial criminal background search
a personal statement.
And the record of the offense and disposition.
 
Dr Bruce, Bein's how the offense took place when he was a teen, and is now 50+. There may well be no record of the offense/disposition. That's what I ran into some 20 years ago. FAA sent me a letter requesting such information. And other than a short note that I had committed a crime (20 years prior), there were no records at all. After having exhausted all my resources, and those of my attorney, there were no records to produce. So, in lieu of that my attorney penned a letter to the FAA which satisfied their curiosity and I was given a reference number to enter on the appropriate blank on the med application form. Not refuting your post, just thought I'd mention things he might run in to.
 
The question on the form is not “is there record of”. It is “have you ever”. You just show due diligence, e.g. the letters from the various institutions that “no record exist” and then get the necessary evaluations. I have BTDT so many times…
 
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bbchien said:
The question on the form is not “is there record of”. It us “have you ever”. You just show due diligence, egthe letters from the various institutions that “no record exist” and then get the necessary evaluations. I have BTDT so many times…
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For commercial flying this makes some sense ( and it should really be up to employers) but for PP and private flying what business is that of FAA to even ask questions like that ?
 
FlyPlane said:
Because I'm older now and in my 50's, I'm thinking of just getting my PPL but I could very well move on to my commercial if I enjoy flying enough. I wouldn't be interested in the airlines at this age. Maybe just cargo or maybe corporate.
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Go Basic Med.
 
Clip4 said:
With the average price of 100LL in the New England states at $7 a gallon and DPEs charging $1000 for a private pilot practical test, I feel confident the “industry” is ok with robbery.
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More properly "extortion".
 
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