ADD for aviation?

Question

ok so i want to become a commercial aviation pilot but i have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and am on medication. I have been trying to find out if i can fly or not? Serious answers please!

Answer 1

Using any medications will get the FAA's attention and probably be a show stopper.

Contact Virtual Flight Surgeons in Colorado and ask their opinion.

Do NOT ask any AME, (aviation medical examiner) for his opinion.  If you already have any pilot certificates it will put him in an awkward position as you have just reported yourself.

Answer 2

You cannot become a comerical pilot. To be a commercial pilot you must not have any disorders or diseases and you have to be a certain height and certain weight.

Answer 3

These are medications used for ADD that the FAA does NOT allow: Adderall, Dexedrine, FocalinXR, Ritalin, Spansule.  If you are taking one of these medications you will not be able to receive a medical certificate, and therefore cannot obtain your private or commercial certificates.

If you are able to control your ADD without medication then there is no reason why you should not be able to get a medical.  

The most important thing is to make sure that you do everything by the book.  DO NOT lie on your medical certificate application, be as honest with the FAA as you can.    The consequences are too severe (jail time and very high fines) to try and lie your way through...

DO NOT stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor, let him/her know what your plans are and what alternatives there are to your situation.

There are many different jobs in aviation, and not all of them require a First Class medical, you only need a Third Class (the easiest to get) to be a flight instructor for example.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

my college buddy had ADD or ADHD.. i believe it slowed him down a bit but he was still able to get the job done and become a commercial pilot.. i dunno how severe his case was though.. i would have never known that he had ADD or ADHD if he hadnt told me one day.. i think thats something to talk to an AME about.. he will be able to tell you if you are safe to pilot an aircraft..

Answer 5

Welcome to the club.  The US Navy Naval Aeromedical Institute (NAMI) found that most naval aviators had some type of ADD.  Lose the medication and work through it.  Try coffee as a form of medication.  It was prescribed to me to focus and counteract the ADD quite a few years ago.  The main thing is don't let ANYONE tell you what you can do because of ADD.  You are limited by your own tenacity.  If I can do it then you can too.  Good luck