A
American Pilot
Guest
I currently hold a third class medical, without any SI’s, and am considering switching to Basic Med due to the simplicity and ease of use. I have a couple questions regarding the “freedoms” Basic Med authorizes with regards to being prescribed an anti-depressant:
1. When flying under Basic Med would a special issuance need to be received to take depression medication? My current understanding is that the answer to this question is “NO” since depression on its own does not meet the FAA’s list of mental health conditions requiring special issuance for Basic Med as defined in 14 CFR § 68.9: Personality Disorder / Psychosis / Bipolar / Substance Abuse. (Note that 14 CFR § 68.9 has significantly different special issuance requirements than 14 CFR § 67.401)
2. When flying under Basic Med could a pilot take a prescribed anti-depressant if the physician that signs off on the Basic Med physical deems it to not cause any impairment in the pilot’s ability to fly? I understand that the FAA provides a “Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly” pharmaceutical guide to AME’s when issuing medical certificates, however, the FAA states that Basic Med is “an additional qualification you can use to fly, in lieu of holding a medical certificate” (In fact, the Basic Med regulation 14 CFR Part 68 is titled “Operating Small Aircraft WITHOUT a Medical Certificate”). My understanding is that the Basic Med issuing physician should reference the “Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly” pharmaceutical guide but the ultimate approval rests with the pilot’s issuing physician who would certify the pilot as medically cleared to fly and NOT the FAA.
Obviously, if I have stated anything above that is incorrect, I would appreciate it if someone could link to where the correct information is documented in the regulations or judicial opinions. While personal opinions are great, for something this important I’m taking a trust but verify approach.
Referenced Links:
AC 68-1A Basic Med
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_68-1A.pdf
Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications) Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/pharm/dni_dnf/
14 CFR Part 67 - MEDICAL STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-67
14 CFR Part 68 - REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING CERTAIN SMALL AIRCRAFT WITHOUT A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-68
Mastering the Basics of Basic Med (FAA Slide Show)
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...types/ame/media/BasicMed_AME_Presentation.pdf
FAA Basic Med FAQ (9 MAY 2017)
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med/media/basicmed_faq.pdf
1. When flying under Basic Med would a special issuance need to be received to take depression medication? My current understanding is that the answer to this question is “NO” since depression on its own does not meet the FAA’s list of mental health conditions requiring special issuance for Basic Med as defined in 14 CFR § 68.9: Personality Disorder / Psychosis / Bipolar / Substance Abuse. (Note that 14 CFR § 68.9 has significantly different special issuance requirements than 14 CFR § 67.401)
2. When flying under Basic Med could a pilot take a prescribed anti-depressant if the physician that signs off on the Basic Med physical deems it to not cause any impairment in the pilot’s ability to fly? I understand that the FAA provides a “Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly” pharmaceutical guide to AME’s when issuing medical certificates, however, the FAA states that Basic Med is “an additional qualification you can use to fly, in lieu of holding a medical certificate” (In fact, the Basic Med regulation 14 CFR Part 68 is titled “Operating Small Aircraft WITHOUT a Medical Certificate”). My understanding is that the Basic Med issuing physician should reference the “Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly” pharmaceutical guide but the ultimate approval rests with the pilot’s issuing physician who would certify the pilot as medically cleared to fly and NOT the FAA.
Obviously, if I have stated anything above that is incorrect, I would appreciate it if someone could link to where the correct information is documented in the regulations or judicial opinions. While personal opinions are great, for something this important I’m taking a trust but verify approach.
Referenced Links:
AC 68-1A Basic Med
https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_68-1A.pdf
Pharmaceuticals (Therapeutic Medications) Do Not Issue - Do Not Fly
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/pharm/dni_dnf/
14 CFR Part 67 - MEDICAL STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-67
14 CFR Part 68 - REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATING CERTAIN SMALL AIRCRAFT WITHOUT A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/part-68
Mastering the Basics of Basic Med (FAA Slide Show)
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...types/ame/media/BasicMed_AME_Presentation.pdf
FAA Basic Med FAQ (9 MAY 2017)
https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med/media/basicmed_faq.pdf