MikeR21

Filing Flight Plan
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Cesnyc
Hi All,

I apologize this is a long post to paint a full picture on the issue:

I am feel like I have dugged a hole for myself and want to get things back in track.

I am currently have a PPL with intensions to hopefully complete my training to commercial for a flying career. Before I got my private license I was training with a friend who owns a plane and is not a CFI and basically learned how to fly with an aid of home sim and self study, I learned everything I needed to know and was flying (never PIC) before I started my required 40 hrs training with a CFI.
I got involved in an accident that caused a concussion before I could start my official training. Because what I do for work I was placed on a medical leave for few weeks open to few months till things get better with headaches, migraines , and sometimes dizziness. I was under some pressure from my training friend to go ahead and finish my training while being at home and fly when I don’t have symptoms and not waste all what I have learned with him.
I went ahead and did my medical evaluation and on the FAA form checked no headache or dizziness on history thinking that all I going through is a temporary and will be gone soon, I also refused to take any recommended medications by the neurologist since it was going to hinder my ability to fly and get cleared for a medical in the future being on my meds history.
I was able to fly in days that I was feeling well and obtained my PPL. After that my neurologist insisted that I have to take medical advise and take medication that will help me to get better, one of the meds is used for conditions like seizure and Alzheimer’s And also is used for headache control and is documented that way.
I contact my AME and he said this is a no fly medication, that is why I didn’t want to take it from the beginning. It has been 2 years now and i got better with symptoms and stopped all medications.
I am feeling like I have started wrong and don’t want this to haunt me in the future, especially that I am ready to move forward with training again. I flew during the 2 years period but never as PIC.
I Was advised my many of my Working pilot friends to Never notify FAA about anything because that could be a big obstacle for me in the future.

would the FAA would ever find out about my inaccurate information on my medical form about headaches and dizziness from 2 years ago?

I was told self reporting is a lot more forgiving that them finding out!

i also never told my FAA about the meds I was on, my MAE’s office just advise me to just ground myself till I am off those meds.

do I need a legal service or an aviation attorney to help me with this moving forward, or I should remain silent about everything?...please advise on what I should do.
 
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I went ahead and did my medical evaluation and on the FAA form checked no headache or dizziness on history thinking that all I going through is a temporary and will be gone soon
Maybe they need to add some flashing arrows and blinking lights to the "HAVE YOU EVER IN YOUR LIFE..." preamble to Question 18.

I Was advised my many of my Working pilot friends to Never notify FAA about anything because that could be a big obstacle for me in the future.
Bad advice.... you might need to seek out better quality of "working pilot friends" who don't try and shuck/jive/lie to the FAA.

Pinging Doctor's Lou and Bruce for their input. @lbfjrmd @bbchien

But I would suggest self grounding for the moment (don't exacerbate the situation) and seek out an aviation attorney who is really good at medical snafus. If you are a member of AOPA's Pilot Protection Program, you might be able to use their resources for this situation.

Small correction... It's A-M-E..... Aviation Medical Examiner
 
Hi All,

I Was advised my many of my Working pilot friends to Never notify FAA about anything because that could be a big obstacle for me in the future.
It amazes me how many people tell me this after they get a letter of investigation from the FAA.

would the FAA would ever find out about my inaccurate information on my medical form about headaches and dizziness from 2 years ago?
They obviously don't always but there are a number of ways the FAA learns about medical issues.
I was told self reporting is a lot more forgiving that them finding out!
Generally true. Keep in mind though, "forgiving" is relative.
do I need a legal service or an aviation attorney to help me with this moving forward, or I should remain silent about everything?...please advise on what I should do.
Maybe. Maybe not. What you need is two things - (1) to not openly discuss this in a social media site like this forum site; and (2) reliable, personal, one-on-one advice from a professional who knows the system. That may or may not be an attorney; it might be a consulting AME like the two excellent resources @AggieMike88 pinged. Not specific to you but generally speaking, most of these types of issues are medical issues and the last thing one wants to do is turn a medical issue into a legal issue.But timing is important.
 
@midlifeflyer .... You need to add this to your T-shirt collection...

upload_2020-2-12_16-35-35.jpeg
upload_2020-2-12_16-35-54.jpeg
 
I totally agree, what is best way to handle this situation, and how I could explain to the FAA about my oversight and bad judgement on my end of thinking that was a temporary thing, also about waiting that long to report it? I grounded myself as soon as I was prescribed medication, but all that after my private was obtained! Thanks in advance.
 
It amazes me how many people tell me this after they get a letter of investigation from the FAA.


They obviously don't always but there are a number of ways the FAA learns about medical issues.

Generally true. Keep in mind though, "forgiving" is relative.

Maybe. Maybe not. What you need is two things - (1) to not openly discuss this in a social media site like this forum site; and (2) reliable, personal, one-on-one advice from a professional who knows the system. That may or may not be an attorney; it might be a consulting AME like the two excellent resources @AggieMike88 pinged. Not specific to you but generally speaking, most of these types of issues are medical issues and the last thing one wants to do is turn a medical issue into a legal issue.But timing is important.
Thank you for the advise, I reached out to him and will see what he says.
 
Maybe they need to add some flashing arrows and blinking lights to the "HAVE YOU EVER IN YOUR LIFE..." preamble to Question 18.


Bad advice.... you might need to seek out better quality of "working pilot friends" who don't try and shuck/jive/lie to the FAA.

Pinging Doctor's Lou and Bruce for their input. @lbfjrmd @bbchien

But I would suggest self grounding for the moment (don't exacerbate the situation) and seek out an aviation attorney who is really good at medical snafus. If you are a member of AOPA's Pilot Protection Program, you might be able to use their resources for this situation.


Small correction... It's A-M-E..... Aviation Medical Examiner
Thank you so much, and I made the typo correction.
 
Thank you for the advise, I reached out to him and will see what he says.
I am not the one who you need to be talking too.

As I had said above, you need to speak with aviation legal counsel who has a strong background helping with medical certificate fubars.

I would also have suggested Dr. Chien, but he already weighed in with his DPE story.
 
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