Yes, yet another topic on this matter...
3 years ago, I was arrested for DUI at age 22, blew a .22 at the station, but due to evidence of faulty procedural technique, I was charged with DUAC at .08 and I plead guilty. I told my attorney I didn't want to go through with trying to fight it, I was 100% guilty and accepted the consequences of my actions. At the time, I attended a college with a very heavy drinking culture so yes I had a very high tolerance which is not a good thing at all. Shortly after everything settled down, I decided to quit drinking all together & get my life back on track. I went up and took a few hours but after listening to "experts" tell me my dream was now most likely a complete farce, I chose to not pursue flying anymore. Instead, I worked hard at my job, re-took some college classes I didn't do too hot in, and got a nice promotion at work (operations management).
Fast forward three years later, I decided to change careers, entering public service as a firefighter. I have started flying again with the serious goal of getting my PPL in order to re-attempt at fighting for my goal of being a military flier. I knew it was going to be a very hard fight to convince the powers at be my worthiness for consideration, and that I needed to really prove my determination (hence going for my PPL, then putting in my pilot slot papers). After reading forum after forum on here for the past several months, I have come to the hard reality that the process of getting my PPL is now going to be much harder than I thought. I accept that I will need to do whatever it takes to get that 3rd class medical, I have a very open mindset about this because I feel if anything, I will benefit from the process and learn even more about myself as an individual. I am very understanding that I will need to go through with attending meetings, counselors, doctors etc. to prove to the FAA I am worthy of being in the skies, and that I am a responsible adult who is now on the much better side of a really poor decision. This single event was the wakeup call of a lifetime to get my sh*t together and grow the hell up.
I am very close to solo, and obviously the only thing standing in my way is a 3rd class medical. I am getting ready to fill out the Medical application and basically I am seeking advice on how to move forward from here. I know that I will need to disclose the event & charges etc. Should I get with my local AME on this matter or do I need to reach out to a HIMS professional before all this? I realize now, soloing is probably going to be a considerable amount of time away...
I see a lot of people on here get bent out of shape easily for hearing the truth (which is obviously something they don't want to hear). I know what I did, I know it was very wrong, I accept the consequences of my actions, I learned from it, and I am moving forward with life. It honestly has made me a better and much more responsible person. Please do not hold back, I am a realist & accept reality for what it is. Any advice is greatly appreciated...
3 years ago, I was arrested for DUI at age 22, blew a .22 at the station, but due to evidence of faulty procedural technique, I was charged with DUAC at .08 and I plead guilty. I told my attorney I didn't want to go through with trying to fight it, I was 100% guilty and accepted the consequences of my actions. At the time, I attended a college with a very heavy drinking culture so yes I had a very high tolerance which is not a good thing at all. Shortly after everything settled down, I decided to quit drinking all together & get my life back on track. I went up and took a few hours but after listening to "experts" tell me my dream was now most likely a complete farce, I chose to not pursue flying anymore. Instead, I worked hard at my job, re-took some college classes I didn't do too hot in, and got a nice promotion at work (operations management).
Fast forward three years later, I decided to change careers, entering public service as a firefighter. I have started flying again with the serious goal of getting my PPL in order to re-attempt at fighting for my goal of being a military flier. I knew it was going to be a very hard fight to convince the powers at be my worthiness for consideration, and that I needed to really prove my determination (hence going for my PPL, then putting in my pilot slot papers). After reading forum after forum on here for the past several months, I have come to the hard reality that the process of getting my PPL is now going to be much harder than I thought. I accept that I will need to do whatever it takes to get that 3rd class medical, I have a very open mindset about this because I feel if anything, I will benefit from the process and learn even more about myself as an individual. I am very understanding that I will need to go through with attending meetings, counselors, doctors etc. to prove to the FAA I am worthy of being in the skies, and that I am a responsible adult who is now on the much better side of a really poor decision. This single event was the wakeup call of a lifetime to get my sh*t together and grow the hell up.
I am very close to solo, and obviously the only thing standing in my way is a 3rd class medical. I am getting ready to fill out the Medical application and basically I am seeking advice on how to move forward from here. I know that I will need to disclose the event & charges etc. Should I get with my local AME on this matter or do I need to reach out to a HIMS professional before all this? I realize now, soloing is probably going to be a considerable amount of time away...
I see a lot of people on here get bent out of shape easily for hearing the truth (which is obviously something they don't want to hear). I know what I did, I know it was very wrong, I accept the consequences of my actions, I learned from it, and I am moving forward with life. It honestly has made me a better and much more responsible person. Please do not hold back, I am a realist & accept reality for what it is. Any advice is greatly appreciated...
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