Mongoose Aviator
Line Up and Wait
Based on a myriad of other posts, I think the FAA Medical issue often comes down to what are all of the Doctor provided diagnosed you have had. In your lifetime.
I do understand if that is not the answer you want but potentially it is the answer you need. On the other hand, I am not a doctor so what do I know.
I do understand if that is not the answer you want but potentially it is the answer you need. On the other hand, I am not a doctor so what do I know.
I understand that, I am more asking about the individual doctors and their acceptance of transgender people. My friend, for who I am asking this question, is currently looking for an AME doctor that is trans-positive, so that the chance of any problems occuring will be small. I hope this clears some things up.
As for their past diagnoses, they didn't have problems with past medical examinations they had.
tspear
En-Route
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Timothy
Based on previous threads I have seen here and elsewhere, the issue usually is not around the Trans aspect itself. It often has been other diagnoses such as depression. In either case, you really should engage a specialist like Dr Chien. There are a few others who also post on here, but it is definitely worth paying for a real consultation with one of these specialist.
Tim
Mongoose Aviator
Line Up and Wait
I really think this comes down to ALL of prior and current diagnosis. This is all anonymous (as you have posted via anon account) so there is no downside to listing every single former and current diagnosis.
On the other hand if this is not really about one thing but actually is about another thing then just head down and plow forward and keep rolling.
bflynn
Final Approach
Isn’t that all of them? AMEs operate from standards, which should be universally applied. There isn’t any room for personal preference in reading the rules.
the same applies for applicants. Know the rules and expect them to be applied evenly.
the same applies for applicants. Know the rules and expect them to be applied evenly.
Given that the FAA aeromedical folks in OK can't seem to manage anything consistently (i.e. https://aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2023/march/30/baker-urges-faa-amnesty-for-veterans) even within their own "rules", I don't see an issue with OP's question and concern.
Mongoose Aviator
Line Up and Wait
Absolutely nothing wrong with asking something.
But it is possible the post could be read as a veiled political post asking which AME support this particular social thinking vs that particular social thinking while at the same time trying to dodge the obvious issue of what any actual diagnosis issues are.
Yes. Gonna say it. I smell a troll.
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The Little Arrow That Could
AMEs are medical professionals capable of putting aside their own views about your lifestyle choices, either positive or negative, in order to do their job.
I doubt you'll find an AME that is going to unnecessarily penalize you in some way for being TG anymore than you're going to find one willing to overlook other issues just to support you.
I would expect an AME to be professional and respectful regardless of their personal views.
I also imagine most probably don’t make their political/social views public for that very reason. AMEs aren’t super common so I’d guess you’ll have to dig pretty hard to locate one anywhere who is public pro-anything.
I also imagine most probably don’t make their political/social views public for that very reason. AMEs aren’t super common so I’d guess you’ll have to dig pretty hard to locate one anywhere who is public pro-anything.
Tarheelpilot
Final Approach
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Tarheelpilot
It does not matter what the AME thinks. It’s a standard from the FAA. At least that’s what everyone tells me when I’m looking for a nice doctors to visit …
Kenny Phillips
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Kenny Phillips
Yeah, a "friendly" doctor at a large aero community was "unfriended" by the FAA and all of his medicals invalidated a few years back. Rules is rules.
Lawson_Stone
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Lawson_Stone
The issue might be also what medications, surgical procedures, and other medical interventions occurred. It might not be the "trans" part that is the problem, but the transition might have been facilitated by medications or other interventions that are disqualifying, regardless of the condition for which they are used. I don't know, I'm just trying to parse the question.
Lindberg
Final Approach
I've personally used three AMEs and I don't think any would care about your transness beyond what goes on the form to the FAA. I don't know what trans-positive means in this context, but they're all "pilot-positive" in the sense that they're all motivated to help all eligible pilots obtain medical certification. Is your friend concerned that he or she might not be eligible, or just uncomfortable with medical exams? If it helps, there's no nudity involved in an FAA medical.
texasclouds
En-Route
Mine makes me “drop your shorts” for hernia check. I usually go home and ask my wife to take care of me so that if I die the last person touching my balls wasn’t a man.
Lindberg
Final Approach
I had my first Class 3 exam in 1992, and many since. I've never had an AME ask me to drop my shorts. I think yours just likes fondling your balls.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
texasclouds
En-Route
Fortunately for me he is very professional. No comments or giggles. It would be nice to get a high five or something.
When it comes to AME's, he or she might be "trans-positive", but the experience will probably not feel the same as when you go to see a regular doctor who is trans-positive. Because the AME has to grapple with the FAA's standards, he or she is likely to use verbiage that will feel negative (like "disease" this and "disorder" that), in the context of asking you nosy questions that will probably feel very unfriendly! You -- and the doctor -- might both know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you, but the doctor has to put together paperwork to document everything to the FAA, including stuff about medications and procedures and diagnoses from the past. So don't be alarmed by this.
That being said, AME's are people, and so I'm guessing there are some out there who really are "trans-negative," who might actually believe there is something automatically wrong with you... and you'll want to avoid those.
The best way is probably to schedule what we like to call a "consult" with an AME, which is a sort of "rehearsal" exam but before submitting any FAA paperwork. You can size up a potential AME and get your questions answered. Bear in mind the above: a doctor who asks nosy questions, and uses words like "disease" or "disorder" with you, may not necessarily be trans-negative... It just might sound that way, depending on their demeanor. (Doctors are not always the best at choosing words to make people feel at ease!). They have to ask the nosy questions, in order to navigate the FAA.
If they ask you to fill out a form called "MedXPress" get a confirmation number and give it to them, politely ask the person on the phone that "I'd just like an appointment for a consult for now. I'll do the MedXPress form later." It means you'll probably pay for two appointments rather than one, but this is probably worth it, for peace of mind. Do not accept any AME that demands you provide a MedXPress number first, even if they say it's standard procedure for their office. If they refuse to schedule a consult, thank them for their time and try someone else.
Good luck!
That being said, AME's are people, and so I'm guessing there are some out there who really are "trans-negative," who might actually believe there is something automatically wrong with you... and you'll want to avoid those.
The best way is probably to schedule what we like to call a "consult" with an AME, which is a sort of "rehearsal" exam but before submitting any FAA paperwork. You can size up a potential AME and get your questions answered. Bear in mind the above: a doctor who asks nosy questions, and uses words like "disease" or "disorder" with you, may not necessarily be trans-negative... It just might sound that way, depending on their demeanor. (Doctors are not always the best at choosing words to make people feel at ease!). They have to ask the nosy questions, in order to navigate the FAA.
If they ask you to fill out a form called "MedXPress" get a confirmation number and give it to them, politely ask the person on the phone that "I'd just like an appointment for a consult for now. I'll do the MedXPress form later." It means you'll probably pay for two appointments rather than one, but this is probably worth it, for peace of mind. Do not accept any AME that demands you provide a MedXPress number first, even if they say it's standard procedure for their office. If they refuse to schedule a consult, thank them for their time and try someone else.
Good luck!
lbfjrmd
Line Up and Wait
DaleB
Final Approach
So I’m guessing you don’t have them drop their shorts, then.
unsafervguy
En-Route
the biggest problem i could see, especially with an older transgender person, is the mental health aspects of transgender has changed over the years. with an older transgender person there may be notes and diagnosis in their history that may not be accepted thought now. that could cause problems on review.