medical for teenager w ADHD & ASD

[HopefulAviationMom]

Hi! New here but after so many searches for info directed me here, I thought I should just join.

My son is an aspiring pilot. He’s taken some lessons (enough to know he loves it) but going for AME in a couple of weeks. Loves all things aviation & has for years.

We know there will be some extra hoops because he has ADHD — never medicated and really only an issue with personal organization (at times) & when he is disinterested. He is able to focus on things he chooses to — like aviation!

Technically he is also on the autism spectrum though you’d never know if you met him. He sometimes has trouble finding his social niche but is very social & has learned a lot since he was dx at 5/6. Again, most people have no idea.

We haven’t read much about this among pilots until we got to the question on the form that asks about “other.”

Are there any thoughts about this process? We expect at best he will have an extended process but doing this now before we look at colleges with aviation programs.

 

[NoHeat]

going for AME in a couple of weeks… he has ADHD … autism spectrum
.

good that you’re looking into this before the AME appointment.

I’m sure others here will advise that your son do the AME in two visits. Not one like the average candidate. First a consultation without doing anything at all with the FAA form. Then the second with the FAA part. Once the FAA form is activated by the AME, the AME is acting for the FAA and there’s no turning back. Until then, the AME can advise what to prepare, what to expect.

 

[HopefulAviationMom]

good that you’re looking into this before the AME appointment.

I’m sure others here will advise that your son do the AME in two visits. Not one like the average candidate. First a consultation without doing anything at all with the FAA form. Then the second with the FAA part. Once the FAA form is activated by the AME, the AME is acting for the FAA and there’s no turning back. Until then, the AME can advise what to prepare, what to expect.

The AME office told us we need to do the form before the appointment to get a code that we need to bring to the appointment. (& my son apparently researched AMEs within a certain radius to get recs on aviation forums)

 

[kath]

The AME office told us we need to do the form before the appointment to get a code that we need to bring to the appointment. (& my son apparently researched AMEs within a certain radius to get recs on aviation forums)

Politely explain to the person on the phone that you will not be doing that, that you’d like a “consult” first, and will be doing the form later.

if they insist, thank them for their time and find a different AME.

 

[HopefulAviationMom]

Politely explain to the person on the phone that you will not be doing that, that you’d like a “consult” first, and will be doing the form later.

if they insist, thank them for their time and find a different AME.

Can someone explain the purpose of a consult? Would it be giving advice on how to pass or the likelihood of passing? Or something else?

He plans to do the AME even if he knows there is a possibility he won’t pass & if he will have other pieces to go through.

 

[AggieMike88]

to get a code that we need to bring to the appointment

As @kath said... DO NOT DO THIS...

The staff member was just repeating the "company line" for when the medical is not a special or challenging case. The confirmation code from the bottom of the application is needed for the staff member or doctor to "open" the application electronically and do their part of the process.

What was not explained to you was when this code is entered and the application is opened, there are only 3 outcomes:

1. issue in the office (applicant meets and passes standards);
2. deny (the applicant does not meet standards by a long shot and zero grey area exists to do a "special issuance)
3. defer (the applicant does not meet set standards, but is in a grey area that allows for a "special issuance" and such issuance needs to be handled by someone "above the pay grade" of the AME conducting the exam.

If you had followed the staffer's advice and "bombed" into the office without talking with us, you would be at serious risk of your son being stuffed into deferral bureaucratic hell, or worse, denied on the spot.

Denials can be appealed, but they are not easy nor inexpensive tasks.


What is necessary at this stage is obtaining guidance and education. You're coming here is a very good start.

You and your son need to seek out a Senior AME known for successfully working and winning challenging cases for juvenile ADHD and possible mild autism. Only go see this AME and not a "normal" one who is okay to use for "normal" pilots.

For this Senior AME, schedule a CONSULTATION visit where no official paperwork is filled out. During this visit, you discuss your son's medical background including the ADHD and such, and ask for

1. is it possible for your son to obtain a medical certificate?
2. guidance on the steps required to obtain the certificate. Who do you need to go see for evaluation? How do you connect with these evaluators? Who are the correct ones and who are not the correct ones?
3. specific guidance on what exactly must you be obtaining from whom, what does it need to say, and in what way does it need to be provided?

Finally ask this Senior AME if he/she is willing to "take on your case" and be the guide throughout the process of document gathering, and then be the advocate and champion after the applications submitted to the FAA and works its way through channels.

For a case such as your son, there is just a very small number of ways for this to be done successfully, and a massive ways for this to become a major dumpster fire of a disaster.

To be successful, knowledgeable guidance improves the odds immensely.

For more education on what the FAA has to say about various medical conditions, including some amount information on what needs to accompany the application, please see the current FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.

 

[Lindberg]

The AME office told us we need to do the form before the appointment to get a code that we need to bring to the appointment. (& my son apparently researched AMEs within a certain radius to get recs on aviation forums)

This may not be the right AME for your son. He needs a consultation with a senior AME known for working with hard cases. The right AME will be happy to do a consultation. He might ask you to fill out the form to have a basis for the discussion, but do not give him the confirmation number (black it out or tear it off the printout).

 

[AggieMike88]

Can someone explain the purpose of a consult? Would it be giving advice on how to pass or the likelihood of passing? Or something else?

He plans to do the AME even if he knows there is a possibility he won’t pass & if he will have other pieces to go through.

See my slightly detailed reply above

 

[AggieMike88]

To find the right AME for your situation... See if there is a pilot or aviator Facebook group for your region or city.

Ask that group who is the preferred (or best) AME for difficult and challenging cases.

Like many communities, the hive mind knows who are the good ones and who are the ones to avoid based on the different situations.

 

[Lindberg]

He plans to do the AME even if he knows there is a possibility he won’t pass & if he will have other pieces to go through.

This is a terrible idea, and you should discourage it. Your son is going to have difficulty obtaining a medical certificate, if it's even possible. And once the AME types that Medxpress confirmation number into his computer, your son's fate is sealed. If he gets denied, options he currently has for flying without a medical certificate will be permanently lost to him. Consult with an AME that has experience with similar cases. If he believes certification is possible, he will pay out a plan. That may even include some time and testing prior to applying. If so, your son may be able to obtain a sport pilot certificate in the interim.

Here's another page with more information on this
http://steinmetz.org/peter/flying/faaMedicalInfo.html

 

[AggieMike88]

he will pay out a plan

God bless typos

 

[HopefulAviationMom]

To find the right AME for your situation... See if there is a pilot or aviator Facebook group for your region or city.

Ask that group who is the preferred (or best) AME for difficult and challenging cases.

Like many communities, the hive mind knows who are the good ones and who are the ones to avoid based on the different situations.

I haven’t done that research but he has asked in regional groups. I’m not sure if he mentioned the autism but I know he mentioned the adhd.
The AME we called was recommended (and 1.5 hrs from us rather than a handful who are closer).

How would one find a senior AME?

 

[AggieMike88]

I haven’t done that research but he has asked in regional groups. I’m not sure if he mentioned the autism but I know he mentioned the adhd.
The AME we called was recommended (and 1.5 hrs from us rather than a handful who are closer).

How would one find a senior AME?

The AME locator on the FAA.gov website....

Look for "HIMS" AME's. They are almost always Senior.

If you let us know what city/state you're in, one of us might have a recommendation.

 

[HopefulAviationMom]

The AME locator on the FAA.gov website....

Look for "HIMS" AME's. They are almost always Senior.

If you let us know what city/state you're in, one of us might have a recommendation.

We’re in MA

 

[ebetancourt]

Your son's case is likely to be very difficult. Please, please listen to the advice above and convince him not to provide a code to any AME. Give serious consideration to traveling to an AME really dedicated to help the potential pilot not the FAA bureaucracy. Don't let him be a number!

 

[SkyChaser]

Can someone explain the purpose of a consult? Would it be giving advice on how to pass or the likelihood of passing? Or something else?

He plans to do the AME even if he knows there is a possibility he won’t pass & if he will have other pieces to go through.

Your son may need to provide test results that will be next to impossible to obtain within the time limit the FAA will give you if you just cross your fingers and hope for the best. A consult will tell you what tests you need to get done, what doctors' notes you need, and what paperwork you will want to send to the FAA with his medical application. Then you and your son can get everything in order before the FAA says, "Give us test results within 90 days of a test that you may not even be able to schedule within six months." If you can't get them the requested documents/test results, they will automatically deny him. Which is something you want to avoid at all costs.

 

[Mason]

No one has noted it yet, but there are two, or possibly three AMEs right here on this board who are very experienced at handling "hard case" medicals. And one thing is certain: your son is going to be a very difficult case to obtain an FAA medical certificate. And doing it without careful planning and consultation can result in irrevocable denial. Coming here for advice was an excellent first start.

 

[Anthem]

This is my personal opinion only. The FAA doesn’t accept adhd. They will perhaps allow one through without medication if he proves he is “fit” by going through a very expensive HIMS process. The HIMS psych doctor will easily determine his spectrum disorder and it is highly likely he will be denied if not on the adhd but certainly the asd. As one doc here noted / he has only ever gotten two asd to ever get the SI and that was obviously individuals who were very light on the spectrum and he indicated that it was with many many years later after showing good integration with society and testimonials which a teenager isn’t going to have or be able to get to satisfy the FAA.
You may want to skip the medical process to retain his sport flying privileges. Because at least he gets to fly. If he is to be denied and it’s with reasonable certainty he will be denied - it will cost you at least 6k at minimum for the first attempts to try and get the deferral to a special issuance level. And that’s not with any certainty that there is any level of success to get it. But once he is denied he will forever lose his sport flying privileges as well.

read the below quote carefully. This is from one do the ame’s on the board who is very well respected. I am merely quoting him :

Now as to autuism spectrum, I have succeeded just twice. Just twice in 23 years of doing these. Both has to see the federal external academic consultant (ANNUALLY) and both were very minimal on the spectrum. Why? MARITIME LAW. Asea, the PIC is the judge, jury and baliff all at once and the very thing that put a person on the spectrum, defective interactions with other persons, is why this is problemmatic for the agency.

If he's in leadership roles that require social interactive skills this might be do-able, but I can pretty well tell you it's not going to happen in his college years. FAA's view: "Show us that he has these skills an no worrisome interactions. Demonstrate this over time. Document it with experts who WE know well, and over time." You're not even in the ballpark.

 

[Dana]

Hopeful,

Two things that should be clarified:

First, the application code. When one fills out the MedExpress application online, the system generates a code which is printed on the form. Once the AME enters that code the application is "live" and the only options are to approve, deny, or defer. If it's deferred (almost certain in your son's case) the FAA will ask for further information faster than you can possibly provide it... and then he gets denied. A senior or "difficult case" AME (paging @bbchien or @lbfjrmd), OTOH, will know in advance what the FAA will require, and can package everything up in a neat bundle the first time with a good chance of approval (most likely at a very hefty price tag for all the required specialists and tests)... or they may say "forget it", in which case the non-medical flying options are still available. You see, if that code isn't entered by an AME, the application simply expires and effectively never exists.

Second, the non-medical options: Relatively recently, the FAA created the "Sport Pilot" certificate. Sport pilots can't get paid to fly (except as a sport pilot instructor), so airline flying and the like is out, and they're limited to small 2 seat airplanes with some weight and speed restrictions, but they're a lot of fun to fly. It doesn't require a medical, but does require a state driver's license (under the theory that if your state DMV considers you fit to drive, you're OK to fly a Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA). The gotcha is, if he applies for a medical and is denied, flying as a sport pilot is not allowed. So that's the other reason not to give an AME the code unless you're sure you'll pass.

There are some other non-medical flying options that are available even if you've been denied, but they're all less practical: Gliders (including motorgliders), balloons, and ultralights (which require no license at all, but are single seat only).

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

never medicated and really only an issue with pesonal organization (at times) & when he is disinterested. He is able to focus on things he chooses to — like aviation! [...]
you’d never know if you met him.

Irrelevant. If there is a diagnosis, there is a diagnosis and you will have to prove, to the FAA's satisfaction that it was all just a big mistake. If there has not been a diagnosis and he has been able to "pass" like many pilots, that's different.

Can he pass the tests to show he doesn't have ADHD? Being prepared to take the tests and spend the big bucks is great - IF (and only if) you can pass. Better to find out ahead of time than to shoot yourself in the foot and getting locked out of options such as Sport Pilot (as mentioned above).

 

[Racerx]

If my parents cared enough to take me to the doctor when I was a kid I guarantee I'd have been diagnosed with ADD and on the spectrum.

He's socially awkward and doesn't like to clean his room. Yeah, me too.


Unfortunately the FAA doesn't care. Find an AME willing to do a consult. Not many like to in my experience.

 

[SoCal 182 Driver]

Hi! New here but after so many searches for info directed me here, I thought I should just join.

My son is an aspiring pilot. He’s taken some lessons (enough to know he loves it) but going for AME in a couple of weeks. Loves all things aviation & has for years.

We know there will be some extra hoops because he has ADHD — never medicated and really only an issue with personal organization (at times) & when he is disinterested. He is able to focus on things he chooses to — like aviation!

Technically he is also on the autism spectrum though you’d never know if you met him. He sometimes has trouble finding his social niche but is very social & has learned a lot since he was dx at 5/6. Again, most people have no idea.

We haven’t read much about this among pilots until we got to the question on the form that asks about “other.”

Are there any thoughts about this process? We expect at best he will have an extended process but doing this now before we look at colleges with aviation programs.

Do not let him go in for an examination with an AME. At most, do a consultation...but do not provide a MedXpress number. The results of providing a MedXpress number could be disastrous for your son's prospects of obtaining an medical certificate, and then his pilot's license. If you and your son are serious about him obtaining his license, please heed this advice, and the similar advice of others above.

After hearing what the AME has to say in a consultation, the next step is to engage Dr. Bruce Chien or Dr. Lou Fowler...both who frequent this board...and have one of them walk your son through the FAA process. Both specialize in hard case medical certification, and ADHD and ASD certainly fall into the category of a hard case for certification. Dr. Chien may not be taking on any new cases, however. He's in Illinois. Dr. Fowler is in Florida, IIRC. If either will take on your son as a client, don't let the geography discourage you. They're excellent at what they do, and present the best possibility for a successful outcome for your son.

 

[2-Bit Speed]

Pinging @bbchien and @lbfjrmd
They're AME's on this forum.

 

[bflynn]

You’re getting overwhelmed with advice.

the reason for a consult is so you can submit everything the FAA wants with the medical rather than running around in the short deadline they will give you.

Our medical system is backlogged (so is the FAA). Your son will get a deferral on his medical due to the ADHD diagnosis. The FAA will ask for a recent (within 60 days) evaluation to their standards, but the odds are you won’t be able to complete everything in 60 days, so the deferral will turn into a denial and you’re back to square one. The consult is to find out exactly what the FAA wants in advance. Once you have everything, your son then gets the medical for real. It will still be deferred until evaluated, but if they ask for anything additional, it will be much less.

 

[lsaway]

I applaud you for supporting your son. Surely there are medically certified pilots that exhibit similar quirks as your son. Probably the only difference between them and your son is that they were never diagnosed by a doctor, or maybe never even seen a doctor for anything other than physicals. The reality is that the diagnosis raised the red flag. Unless new regulations change the way it is done, your son will never be like those other pilots that had easy medicals, or any medical at all. I have a health issue that I had most of my life and had multiple diagnosis for it. I disclosed all the diagnosis and held a 1st class medical with no problem because they were standard issue for the FAA. After 20 years of 1st class medicals, I saw a doctor that gave me a new diagnosis for the same issue that would throw me into the FAA review and SI process. The only difference is that 1 doctor gave me a different diagnosis for the exact same thing. Follow the excellent advise of the previous posters, and maybe transition your son into getting a sport pilot license while trying to work everything out with a good AME.

 

[HopefulAviationMom]

I applaud you for supporting your son. Surely there are medically certified pilots that exhibit similar quirks as your son. Probably the only difference between them and your son is that they were never diagnosed by a doctor, or maybe never even seen a doctor for anything other than physicals. The reality is that the diagnosis raised the red flag. Unless new regulations change the way it is done, your son will never be like those other pilots that had easy medicals, or any medical at all. I have a health issue that I had most of my life and had multiple diagnosis for it. I disclosed all the diagnosis and held a 1st class medical with no problem because they were standard issue for the FAA. After 20 years of 1st class medicals, I saw a doctor that gave me a new diagnosis for the same issue that would throw me into the FAA review and SI process. The only difference is that 1 doctor gave me a different diagnosis for the exact same thing. Follow the excellent advice of the previous posters, and maybe transition your son into getting a sport pilot license while trying to work everything out with a good AME.

Thank you for the summary. He has done a lot of research to know that the adhd may be an obstacle. Just hadn’t seen references to the other.

We are supporting his journey & choices with knowledge of possible obstacles & will discuss whether he wants to try to consult with the AME he is scheduled to see next week or speak with a more specialized AME (which we would do together).

But as a parent, I can’t help but be frustrated on his behalf. It’s unfortunate that someone’s dream - for which they may be fully capable - can be crushed before they have a chance to find out - because of something over which they have no control. The very point of a diagnosis as a young child is to gain strategies to work with and around it. It’s no different than someone w dyslexia having targeted reading instruction or someone with a physical disability learning how to do certain tasks differently. But this same diagnosis on paper may now keep him from doing the only thing he has ever wanted to do.

 

[2-Bit Speed]

I don't really have anything constructive to say, but I want to encourage you to talk with the AME's here. They both have experience with hard cases and will give you honest answers. At least talk to them. They will probably also want some specific information (when was diagnosis given, was it by PCP or other, etc...).

 

[SoCal 182 Driver]

I want to encourage you to talk with the AME's here. They both have experience with hard cases and will give you honest answers. At least talk to them. They will probably also want some specific information (when was diagnosis given, was it by PCP or other, etc...).

THIS

 

[Brad Z]

But as a parent, I can’t help but be frustrated on his behalf. It’s unfortunate that someone’s dream - for which they may be fully capable - can be crushed before they have a chance to find out - because of something over which they have no control. The very point of a diagnosis as a young child is to gain strategies to work with and around it. It’s no different than someone w dyslexia having targeted reading instruction or someone with a physical disability learning how to do certain tasks differently. But this same diagnosis on paper may now keep him from doing the only thing he has ever wanted to do.

Welcome to the world of federal oversight. Congress has tasked the FAA with the obligation to ensure medically certificated pilots are free from any known medical conditions that would prevent them from safely operating an aircraft in all circumstances. FAA regulations and policy are often written in blood, and the agency takes a conservative approach to ensure that there is reasonable evidence to demonstrate that they are worthy of a waiver of a disqualifying medical condition. The flying public demands pilots be held to high medial standards and Congress has spoken on their behalf.

 

[Anthem]

Whatever you do - do NOT give any AME that confirmation number next week until you are sure you have all your ducks in a row. You will have to pay for the “consult” as it isn’t free. But it at least allows them to speak freely and tell you the obstacles your son faces in going for said medical. Once you give that number out - there is no going back and he will assuredly be deferred and denied unless you plan on spending the money to get what the FAA needs. And even then - the likelihood of success is not high but the skilled difficult case AMEs can advise of that and let you make the decision. Then you can decide whether you want to take the chance that he might lose his light sport flying privileges forever if you don’t push through. It’s a very significant decision and not one to be taken lightly. You will have read numerous people who didn’t know what this entailed an submitted that number to significantly regret later. It’s that critical. And do not let an AME persuade you otherwise to give them that number. They seem to be fairly persuasive on getting those numbers and I’m not sure why…. As a consult frequently means they get paid again but yet they seem determined to get that number from you regardless of your situation of whether you will pass or not.

now as for his dreams. That’s doesn’t matter to them. You have to realize - this isn’t driving. This isn’t “equal”. This isn’t “fair”. Stop with all of that thinking. Their job is to prevent anyone with a chance of causing injury to themselves or others - to get in the air. That means once you have a diagnosis - it’s your job to prove to them that you are safe to their standards. Not what you feel. You have to prove it. And I get it. Would it be nicer if they had a license level that was only solo and no pax ? Sure. But that’s sport/Lsa. The issue is - where do you draw the line ? It’s not just about “flying”. Some can fly all day - but the first class medical isn’t just about flying. It’s about the ability to make decisions outside of flying as well. As the pilot in command of the plane - he is responsible for all things on that flight. Stressors, weather, passengers, engines, mechanical, emergencies, crazy passengers etc etc. it doesn’t matter if it’s 3 passengers or 300. He is the captain and pilot in command. It potentially is the same medical - so he has to have the ability and without limits or the decision making that the FAA deems safe. So in the FAA’s mind / they would rather block all potentially unsafe pilots than to release them and hope for the best. They are conservative and err on caution. You might not like that - and many don’t. But that’s the reality. So it has nothing to do with whether his condition is his fault or not - it’s this is their mandate.

 

[HopefulAviationMom]

now as for his dreams. That’s doesn’t matter to them. You have to realize - this isn’t driving. This isn’t “equal”. This isn’t “fair”. Stop with all of that thinking. Their job is to prevent anyone with a chance of causing injury to themselves or others - to get in the air. That means once you have a diagnosis - it’s your job to prove to them that you are safe to their standards. Not what you feel. You have to prove it. And I get it. Would it be nicer if they had a license level that was only solo and no pax ? Sure. But that’s sport/Lsa. The issue is - where do you draw the line ? It’s not just about “flying”. Some can fly all day - but the first class medical isn’t just about flying. It’s about the ability to make decisions outside of flying as well. As the pilot in command of the plane - he is responsible for all things on that flight. Stressors, weather, passengers, engines, mechanical, emergencies, crazy passengers etc etc. it doesn’t matter if it’s 3 passengers or 300. He is the captain and pilot in command. It potentially is the same medical - so he has to have the ability and without limits or the decision making that the FAA deems safe. So in the FAA’s mind / they would rather block all potentially unsafe pilots than to release them and hope for the best. They are conservative and err on caution. You might not like that - and many don’t. But that’s the reality. So it has nothing to do with whether his condition is his fault or not - it’s this is their mandate.

To be clear- I do understand all of that. And know safety in the broadest sense is obviously the primary concern. The statement about “no fault of his own” was my own frustration.

 

[lsaway]

.
The very point of a diagnosis as a young child is to gain strategies to work with and around it.

You were being a good parent, trying to give your son the best advantages for a prosperous and fulfilling life. Maybe he wouldn't have been so well adjusted as he is now if you didn't get him help early on, so you can't have remorse now for being a good parent. I wish it was not this way, but I share your frustration.

 

[Anthem]

To be clear- I do understand all of that. And know safety in the broadest sense is obviously the primary concern. The statement about “no fault of his own” was my own frustration.

Honestly - your best bet is to talk to one of the two AMEs on this forum and retain them for their opinion. They can tell you with reasonable certainty of whether he will get an SI or not. It’s not really a crapshoot - they know what the FAA surgeon will rule before it happens. So I think you as a mom - the best thing you can ever do for your son - is that If it isn’t going to happen - that if this is truly his thing - then to retain his light sport privileges and do NOT get deferred/denied on a medical and lose that for him forever. This is not a “doesn’t hurt to try” exercise. This has serious ramifications and while he himself will say - I want to do this - without realizing the scope of the ramifications - you need to step in and be pragmatic and realistic if they advise you otherwise.

because while you are on the adhd thing. But from what I gather the asd diagnoses might be more concerning. As of now - it seems asd is an automatic denial. Drugs or not. If the only successes for light spectrum to be granted have been significantly later in life with proven social track record - then you are talking potentially 20 years down the road before even having a chance of some level of success. And losing his light sport while doing this just as an exercise in futility is doing him a disservice. Of course some will say they want to push through - but those do not appear to have had success and end up significantly worse off than where they started.

 

[ebetancourt]

A lot of advice has been given, and I didn't really see any conflicts. If your son now gives THE number to an AME the result might be an indication of the problem. Sorry to be blunt, but there it is.

 

[StudentPilot4Life]

Ma'am, I want to suggest that one day your son may want to or be advised to use medicine, for either issue you've outlined. I struggled through elementary, middle and high school without medicine. Then fought my way into mechanical engineering school without medicine, and then switched majors after profoundly bombing that first semester. I look back to this day and wish I had tried engineering with medicine. (I still may go back if I get into a real mid-life crisis.) Instead, all but my last semester of college was medicine-free, and it was still a struggle for the most part in the easier major. Got on medicine during summer session before my last semester of college and it brought on that, "why haven't I been doing this the whole time?," kind of thinking. Have mostly used medicine since then.
Also, I am not sure how dangerous flying is with both a hint of ASD and ADHD. Others here have warned about this from some skimming I did above. With my untreated ADHD and Mild/Moderate Depression during the time I was taking flying lessons while waiting for a medical clearance in the past year, the four different instructors I flew with said I did well piloting. Still, I was recently denied the medical clearance, and I had even started medicine again before I got the letter because I'd become such a slob and was forgetting countless things at my day job and in life generally. So is the FAA heavy-handed then about these things? I was fine, right? Well, maybe in the cockpit, but hardly the rest of the time. And FAA policy seems to be "better safe than sorry" these days. I can't say that's exactly a bad thing, although it's painful to us on the other end. I do hope your son doesn't have to deal with that same kind of let-down in his situation.

 

[murphey]

Thank you for the summary. He has done a lot of research to know that the adhd may be an obstacle. Just hadn’t seen references to the other.

We are supporting his journey & choices with knowledge of possible obstacles & will discuss whether he wants to try to consult with the AME he is scheduled to see next week or speak with a more specialized AME (which we would do together).

But as a parent, I can’t help but be frustrated on his behalf. It’s unfortunate that someone’s dream - for which they may be fully capable - can be crushed before they have a chance to find out - because of something over which they have no control. The very point of a diagnosis as a young child is to gain strategies to work with and around it. It’s no different than someone w dyslexia having targeted reading instruction or someone with a physical disability learning how to do certain tasks differently. But this same diagnosis on paper may now keep him from doing the only thing he has ever wanted to do.

If your son is under 18 don’t you have the legal right to inform the AME to NOT perform the official medical and make it a consult? Not having kids, I’m not sure of local laws. But if your son isn’t payung attention to the knowledgeable postings here about a consult, then perhaps he should consider a different career path.

 

[Half Fast]

Loves all things aviation & has for years.

BTW - if this is really true, remember that there are more aviation careers than being a pilot. Everything from aircraft design to airport management to avionics technician to airplane mechanic. There are many many ways that he can be around planes and aviation every day of his life without flying for a living. And he can still fly for fun if you two don't mess it up right now.

SO, don't blow his chance to be a Sport Pilot, as has been mentioned. If it looks unlikely that he could get a medical (and the ASD is likely a brick wall), he can have a great time as a pilot flying light sport aircraft without a medical, and also have a great career as an aerospace engineer (or whatever).

He's young, so you have to be the one to bring maturity into the picture. Step back, look at the big picture, don't have a myopic focus on flying for pay, and consider the wide range of options available. It really isn't as bleak a picture as it may seem.

And when we talk about "light sport aircraft" we're talking about real honest-to-goodness airplanes, not little toys. See pics below. They're small and light and only carry a pilot and one passenger, but they're fun to fly and capable of flying all over the country and even to the Bahamas. For someone who wants to fly for recreation and can't get a medical, they are an EXCELLENT option.

 

[SoCal 182 Driver]

BTW - if this is really true, remember that there are more aviation careers than being a pilot. Everything from aircraft design to airport management to avionics technician to airplane mechanic. There are many many ways that he can be around planes and aviation every day of his life without flying for a living. And he can still fly for fun if you two don't mess it up right now.

SO, don't blow his chance to be a Sport Pilot, as has been mentioned. If it looks unlikely that he could get a medical (and the ASD is likely a brick wall), he can have a great time as a pilot flying light sport aircraft without a medical, and also have a great career as an aerospace engineer (or whatever).

He's young, so you have to be the one to bring maturity into the picture. Step back, look at the big picture, don't have a myopic focus on flying for pay, and consider the wide range of options available. It really isn't as bleak a picture as it may seem.

And when we talk about "light sport aircraft" we're talking about real honest-to-goodness airplanes, not little toys. See pics below. They're small and light and only carry a pilot and one passenger, but they're fun to fly and capable of flying all over the country and even to the Bahamas. For someone who wants to fly for recreation and can't get a medical, they are an EXCELLENT option.

Another really EXCELLENT post with advice!

 

[Lindberg]

It’s unfortunate that someone’s dream - for which they may be fully capable - can be crushed before they have a chance to find out - because of something over which they have no control.

Not to put too fine a point on it, right now, he can get a Sport Pilot certificate and fly light sport planes. Right now that's only two-seaters, but that might change. On the other hand, if he gives the AME that confirmation number and doesn't pass the exam, he will then lose the Sport Pilot option and might never be certified to fly any airplane (gliders would still be an option). That's very much within his (and your) control.

You can certainly blame the FAA for it's poor decisions, but it has given your son options, and you can't blame the FAA if he chooses poorly. I don't mean that to be harsh, and I truly wish your son the best in achieving his dreams.

 

[lsaway]

BTW -
SO, don't blow his chance to be a Sport Pilot, as has been mentioned. If it looks unlikely that he could get a medical (and the ASD is likely a brick wall), he can have a great time as a pilot flying light sport aircraft without a medical, and also have a great career as an aerospace engineer (or whatever).
]

If flying is his passion, he can still have a career as a CFI sport pilot without a medical (if he does not apply for a medical and get denied)