Sport Pilot and ADHD/Autism Spectrum Disorder

[Palmpilot]

For the purpose of sport-pilot operations, I'm wondering how a teenager with ADHD and/or autism spectrum disorder, who now holds a drivers license, could determine whether he meets the requirement of 14 CFR 61.23(c)(2)(iv) to

"Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner."​

I'm thinking that if he is able to successfully complete sport-pilot training and pass the checkride, that in itself might be a good indication, but I'm wondering what others think, especially @bbchien, @lbfjrmd, and anyone else with relevant expertise.

At this point I think he has given up his dreams of flying due to the medical issue, and I want to be able to give him a realistic understanding of his chances for safe sport-pilot flying.

Given the amount of time and effort he and his parents have spent on seeking medical help and learning to manage his condition, plus what I have seen personally of his behavior in past years, I think it is very unlikely to be a bogus diagnosis, so it appears that proving he never really had it is not a realistic option.

 

[bflynn]

With regard to the FAA and doctors, they aren’t involved with sport pilot.

with regards to actual flying, I don’t think anyone here can answer it. Everyone is on the autism spectrum, that’s why they define it as a spectrum. Where this person is on it is the relevant factor.

It’s going to depend on what his issue is. Severe OCD that prevents switching tasks rapidly? No. He wasn’t interested in school and got medicated as ADHD? Probable yes.

 

[ProjectInfinity1]

For the purpose of sport-pilot operations, I'm wondering how a teenager with ADHD and/or autism spectrum disorder, who now holds a drivers license, could determine whether he meets the requirement of 14 CFR 61.23(c)(2)(iv) to

"Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner."​

I'm thinking that if he is able to successfully complete sport-pilot training and pass the checkride, that in itself might be a good indication, but I'm wondering what others think, especially @bbchien, @lbfjrmd, and anyone else with relevant expertise.

At this point I think he has given up his dreams of flying due to the medical issue, and I want to be able to give him a realistic understanding of his chances for safe sport-pilot flying.

Given the amount of time and effort he and his parents have spent on seeking medical help and learning to manage his condition, plus what I have seen personally of his behavior in past years, I think it is very unlikely to be a bogus diagnosis, so it appears that proving he never really had it is not a realistic option.

There is no 3rd party medical checkup verification for sport pilot. Take that as you will, if your instructor and you feel you can fly safe, then go have fun.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

The FAA suggests that you should consult your family doctor. Not that your family doctor is going to have a good feel for what it takes to safely operate a Cub...

 

[Robert Gee]

I weep for the utes that may have had a concentration problem or been hyper at one time so a Dr./drug pushers opened up the medicine cabinet....Sometimes I feel lucky I only went to the Dr when I needed stitches and not after a reprimand in school.

As family or caring friend you might think of some tasks to see how they cope with physical and mental stress, unknown to them, Its hard for me to think of good scenarios to equate it to; driving in rush hour traffic and complex highway interchange maneuvers? Motorcycle riding? Jogging while doing math?

 

[Clip4]

The FAA answers the question everyday when they get a complaint stating the LSA pilot is not medically fit to fly. Old guys with heart issues, stroke, Parkinson’s, ect.

 

[DFH65]

My view with anything FAA related don't read anything more into it than what is there.

Do you know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner? No = fly. Yes = don't. How you as the PIC determines that is not defined and therefore left to your judgment.

 

[Dana]

I'm thinking that if he is able to successfully complete sport-pilot training and pass the checkride, that in itself might be a good indication

I'm thinking you're absolutely right.

And there's a big difference between the mindset and skill set necessary to slip a Cub to a perfect 3-point landing on a gusty day using nothing but immediate sensory input compared to shooting an ILS to minimums with your head filled with numbers and procedures. The ADHD personality would likely have difficulty coping with the latter but might thrive on the former.

 

[Palmpilot]

My view with anything FAA related don't read anything more into it than what is there.

I agree.

Do you know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner? No = fly. Yes = don't. How you as the PIC determines that is not defined and therefore left to your judgment.

From my interactions with him when he was younger, I would have expected him to have trouble listening to and responding to ATC (and probably the same with a CFI). However, he lives halfway across the country and I haven't seen enough of him in recent years to get an idea of how much he has progressed in that regard. He must have improved at least somewhat, since he was able to absorb training well enough to get his driver's license. That's why I was thinking that seeing how he does in flight training might provide a practical way of answering the question.

 

[Magman]

I have one that relates to #1 and #8.

He been taking off, maneuvering and landing the aircraft.

My term is “ Qualified Emergency Pilot”.

Of course this is not logged as I am not a CFI.

My belief is that folks can get a lot of satisfaction from just

KNOWING they can do something.

“ Did you have the fish? “ Airplane

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Without interacting with him recently, there is no way for you judge. Not only is autism a wide spectrum, but so is maturation rates of kids. I work with a pretty big group of teens, and have known many of them for 5 years or more, and it is interesting to see how differently they mature.

 

[Palmpilot]

Without interacting with him recently, there is no way for you judge. Not only is autism a wide spectrum, but so is maturation rates of kids. I work with a pretty big group of teens, and have known many of them for 5 years or more, and it is interesting to see how differently they mature.

I agree. I'm not talking about a way for me to judge; I'm talking about what process could he use to find out if he could do it safely.

 

[Jeff Oslick]

I agree. I'm not talking about a way for me to judge; I'm talking about what process could he use to find out if he could do it safely.

I'd guess one way to approach it would be to have him take the Cogscreen AE test. I wouldn't take that result as gospel though.

 

[BulldogBoy]

In some states, getting a drivers license is ridiculously easy. During COVID, people being tested didn't leave the DMV's parking lot. They didn't even have an examiner in the car with them. They were told which things to do by the examiner (drive to the cone, turn left, and park in this space) and the the examiners watched them do it from the curb. I know two teens who were given licenses last year who absolutely do not belong behind the wheel.
"He must have improved at least somewhat, since he was able to absorb training well enough to get his driver's license."

 

[TCABM]

In some states, getting a drivers license is ridiculously easy. During COVID, people being tested didn't leave the DMV's parking lot. They didn't even have an examiner in the car with them. They were told which things to do by the examiner (drive to the cone, turn left, and park in this space) and the the examiners watched them do it from the curb. I know two teens who were given licenses last year who absolutely do not belong behind the wheel.
"He must have improved at least somewhat, since he was able to absorb training well enough to get his driver's license."

Are you on a crusade?

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Are you on a crusade?

I see windmills, in the distance.