Failed FAA Medical?

Question

If I were to fail this, will the FAA find out? If so, does this look bad to the airlines/ companies even if you go back a little while later and pass your medical?

Answer 1

Yes, and yes. Don't fail.

Go get a thorough physical elsewhere first to be sure you'll pass the airman's medical exam. Make sure they know you want to be able to pass a first class flight physical. The requirements for that are readily available online so you can easily pass these requirements on to any doctor who you go to for an examination.  

A failure is automatically reported, the airlines all have access to your flying AND medical history, and one of the questions asked on every pilot application is "have you ever been denied a medical certificate?". While it isn't the end of the world, it can make getting hired very much harder. Lying about it and getting found out IS the end of your career, so always be truthful on a pilot app.

Answer 2

The FAA will definitely find out.  The medical examiner sends in the form immediately to the FAA and it goes on your record permanently.  You can get an exeption by filing a petition with the flight surgeon (something like retaking a vision test) - or you can get a SODA (statement of demonstrated ability) but you cannot work at an airline with a SODA because a SODA usually restricts you to a 3rd class medical and you need a 2nd class medical to exercise commercial pilot priviliges (first officer) and 1st class for ATP priviliges (captain).  Type B (insuline dependent diabetes), color defficiency (severe where you can't tell the difference between red, green, amber, etc...), and chronic heart conditions are pretty much disqualifying for the rest of your life.  Most other illnesses and conditions are passable with a bit of patience - but you have to go see the flight surgeon (the guy overlooking the medical examiners in an area) or provide extensive documentation from doctors on the condition(s) you might have.  Get a 1st class medical from the beginning so that you know you can go "all the way."  Airlines generally dont care as long as you posess the medical certificate they're looking for.

EDIT: AME's report failed medicals unless they're running some po-dunk operation.  With that said, if you have anything to worry about, get it looked at before you visit an AME.  There ARE some that will "help" you out - but this "help" will catch up to you when you visit another AME.  One more thing - depending on what part of the country you're from, you'll notice very different standards when it comes to flight training and regulatory requirements.  No pun intended, but the NE and Midwest, from my consistent experiences, are a joke compared to the west coast and especially FL.  

Read this article: http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofl...

Answer 3

alex has no clue what he's talking about. never ever accept regulatory information you recieve here. expecially concerning medical issues. your career depends on it.

if you do fail, most AMEs will simply not issue you a certificate and will tear up your paperwork as if he never saw you. illegal? not really, the faa would like it done right but he doesn't get paid by the faa. he get's paid by you so he'll help where he can. and the feds care only that the AME or you don't lie to them. if you say nothing to them and don't excercise the privilages of your airman certificate you've done absolutely nothing illegal. happens all the time.

if it's something minor, high blood pressure for example, he'll have you go home, lay off the coffee and cigarettes for a few days and come back and try again. he won't let anything get to the feds until a SODA or special issuance is the only option. even then, oklahoma city is great at trying to get you in the air. an the medical appeals branch there rules regardless of what alex says. simply put, they can do anything they want. that's why it's called medical APPEALS branch. you can APPEAL the regulatory requirements. SODA, special issuance whatever, they'll issue you a first class medical if you can give them what they need.

alex may be correct in that just because you have a 1st class ticket the airlines still might not hire you since you have to pass their physical too. but they are not legally bound from letting you fly their aircraft if they so choose. probably hard to get hired with some medical issues. but i know many airline captains flying with a SODA or special issuance 1st class medical certs.

but once again, don't ever, i mean never, make decisions about your career from what you hear from people on yahoo answers/guesses. even from me. good luck.

Answer 4

Find a good FAA flight doctor. This is imperative. There are dickheads and there are real-world guys. Ask around your area who is good.

Answer 5

I just passed my FAA physical (3rd class) and it was easier than my regular physicals. Try a different physician and as long as you don't have severe eye problems, diabetes or other illnesses that may hinder your ability to fly you should be ok.

I would highly advise not flying without a certificate. It must be on you at all times while you fly without a CFI.

Answer 6

I would get a medical from another source first.

You'll have to get another medical from FAA if you are even to be consired to be hired for an airline. FAA are very particular about anything they can pin you for (They Will). The general rule is don't tell them anything. Even a beer a week and they will class you as alcoholic!!!! Good luck =), and if it's really what you want to do; you could consider moving countries and starting a medical from scratch (AND LEAVE OUT THE BIT ABOUT TRAUMA and INSOMNIA)

http://www.leftseat.com/if.htm

http://www.aviationmedicine.com/articles...