Starting PPL process - 15 years post-substance abuse

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Kammat

Filing Flight Plan
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May 13, 2024
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Kammat
Hello,

I'm new to the aviation world and I'm just discovering some of the basics...as you will notice. I'm 46 and decided that I want to obtain my PPL (no desire to ever be a commercial pilot) and have begun that process with a local CFI. I started filling out the medical questionnaire and came across the question about substance abuse. This is something dealt with in my 20s. I entered a treatment program and have been in recovery since 2009. After some quick searching that led me here, I understand that this will be an issue.

I've reached out to a couple of attorneys that specialize in aviation issues and thought I would also reach out here to see if there's any real world advice here. I'm not in a hurry, but want to start the process because it seems like it will likely be a long one.

Any insights from anyone who has been through this process or has any knowledge about what I'm in for?
 
Kammat said:
Hello,

I'm new to the aviation world and I'm just discovering some of the basics...as you will notice. I'm 46 and decided that I want to obtain my PPL (no desire to ever be a commercial pilot) and have begun that process with a local CFI. I started filling out the medical questionnaire and came across the question about substance abuse. This is something dealt with in my 20s. I entered a treatment program and have been in recovery since 2009. After some quick searching that led me here, I understand that this will be an issue.

I've reached out to a couple of attorneys that specialize in aviation issues and thought I would also reach out here to see if there's any real world advice here. I'm not in a hurry, but want to start the process because it seems like it will likely be a long one.

Any insights from anyone who has been through this process or has any knowledge about what I'm in for?
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You have an extremely high probability of getting a HIMS special issue, provided no other major issues such as multi anti-depressive use, documented suicidal ideations etc. Sport pilot may quash some aspirations that would be open with a class 3 and transition to BasicMed. The battle may be worth it depending upon your ultimate goal.
 
Attorneys aren’t going to help with the medical certification process. It’s likely you can eventually get a Class 3 medical, but that can be a long and costly endeavor.

Sport pilot provides 90% of realistic PPL operations with no medical required.
 
Lindberg said:
Since you have no designs beyond getting a PPL, consider Sport Pilot, which would avoid the FAA rigamarole associated with getting a medical certificate.
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Thank you. That would make it easier! The reason I would want my PPL would be to travel with my wife and others. We'll soon have 4 kids in colleges scattered across the county and I'd like to be able to travel to and with them.
 
Some smart guys will be along shortly with more definitive answers, but they will need to know what the substance is and if it was alcohol, what is the relevant if any BAC. No need to share with us unwashed masses though. The next step is a Consultation (without completing a MedExpress) with an AME.

You can fly sport pilot now.
 
Kammat said:
We'll soon have 4 kids in colleges scattered across the county and I'd like to be able to travel to and with them.
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Travelling to them can be done with Sport. Travelling with them can also be done, just one at a time. When MOSAIC goes through, there may be some relief even there.

Be aware that if it's your desire to fly with a spouse and 4 adult kids, you're going to need a large and expensive aircraft besides a Private ticket. Since you said:
Kammat said:
I'm new to the aviation world and I'm just discovering some of the basics...
Click to expand...
I highly recommend Sport.

1 - You'll get in the air quickly, without all the medical hassle.​
2 - You'll discover whether you actually like to fly before getting heavily committed.​
3 - Sport will cover a majority of the real flying you'll do anyway.​
4 - If you decide to get your Private ticket, all your Sport training will count; it's not wasted.​
 
Half Fast said:
Travelling to them can be done with Sport. Travelling with them can also be done, just one at a time. When MOSAIC goes through, there may be some relief even there.

Be aware that if it's your desire to fly with a spouse and 4 adult kids, you're going to need a large and expensive aircraft besides a Private ticket. Since you said:

I highly recommend Sport.

1 - You'll get in the air quickly, without all the medical hassle.​
2 - You'll discover whether you actually like to fly before getting heavily committed.​
3 - Sport will cover a majority of the real flying you'll do anyway.​
4 - If you decide to get your Private ticket, all your Sport training will count; it's not wasted.​
Click to expand...
Thank you for the response and suggestions! I've been flying with a close friend in his Cherokee 6 several times and have become familiar with the financial and time commitment aspects. I've kept my eye on that market for about 5 years and the way the market has gone I had started this process sooner! It might seem odd, but I was completely ignorant of the medical specifics. Everyone that I've spoken with has just glossed over the medical requirement as a gimmie.
 
Kammat said:
Hello,

I'm new to the aviation world and I'm just discovering some of the basics...as you will notice. I'm 46 and decided that I want to obtain my PPL (no desire to ever be a commercial pilot) and have begun that process with a local CFI. I started filling out the medical questionnaire and came across the question about substance abuse. This is something dealt with in my 20s. I entered a treatment program and have been in recovery since 2009. After some quick searching that led me here, I understand that this will be an issue.

I've reached out to a couple of attorneys that specialize in aviation issues and thought I would also reach out here to see if there's any real world advice here. I'm not in a hurry, but want to start the process because it seems like it will likely be a long one.

Any insights from anyone who has been through this process or has any knowledge about what I'm in for?
Click to expand...
Here's my story: https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/com...sober-for-19-years-active-in-recovery.126871/

I was in your same boat: mid-40s, interested in obtaining a PPL with no desire to go commercial, and had been sober and in recovery for 19 years (at the time of application). It took a while (just over a year from initial application to receipt of my 3rd class medical certificate) and cost some money (which I have not tabulated) but has been totally worth it.

What are you in for? The FAA will ask you to pee in a cup, go to AA at least twice/week with documentation, see some specialist doctors (MDs and PhDs, likely; in my case, just the PhD), and probably take some tests. If all that comes back okay, they'll probably give you a Special Issuance (SI) for a 3rd Class Medical certificate. The SI will probably last 6 years but the 3rd class will probably last only 6 months or so. The FAA will probably require you to keep peeing in a cup and going to AA as well as seeing your HIMS AME every quarter. If you can do that, you can keep your 3rd class medical certificate.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'm on the Basic Med side of having to jump through all the hoops but as a PPL holder who flies region-wide as a hobby, it's totally ****ing worth it.
 
Kammat said:
Hello,

I'm new to the aviation world and I'm just discovering some of the basics...as you will notice. I'm 46 and decided that I want to obtain my PPL (no desire to ever be a commercial pilot) and have begun that process with a local CFI. I started filling out the medical questionnaire and came across the question about substance abuse. This is something dealt with in my 20s. I entered a treatment program and have been in recovery since 2009. After some quick searching that led me here, I understand that this will be an issue.

I've reached out to a couple of attorneys that specialize in aviation issues and thought I would also reach out here to see if there's any real world advice here. I'm not in a hurry, but want to start the process because it seems like it will likely be a long one.

Any insights from anyone who has been through this process or has any knowledge about what I'm in for?
Click to expand...
Reach out to Bruce Chien at www.aeromedicaldoc.com, or Lou Fowler at https://flightphysical.com/dr-fowler. Both are experts at handling these issues, and they can walk you through the process. Follow their advice to the letter.
 
Kammat, you'll be asked to substantiate (1) your sobriety- 3 letters from persons in a position to know, on letterhead covering the last 10 years. You will need to be in a private urine test program funded by you and referred by a HIMS AME who will later testify as to your sobriety. But RECOVERY will be determined by a HIMS psychiatrist and HIMS AME together.
(2) your rehab- got any record of the rehab? Even financial record?
(3) If you developed a relationship to an "AA sponsor", and he/she is still alive, RECONNECT. His testimony (albeit brief) is powerful. You will need to enlist a HIMS AME to "direct the show" as it were.
 
^^^^^ Pretty much my course, minus a DUI. I had a HIMS psychiatric evaluation and all the other documentation in hand, sans the urine screens, prior to even contacting a HIMS AME. After 4 months of following protocol, a letter recommending issue was sent to OKC and just over 3 months after that I was issued.
 
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