D
David Jackson
Guest
Hi,
So I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a child however I have two problems that I know are considered disqualifying for a third class medical either outright or indirectly due to the medications (Bipolar Disorder and ADHD). I was diagnosed as a child with both (~40 years) and am one of the exceptionally few that not only found the right medication but have been on the same meds for decades at this point with no incidents of mental issues, legal troubles, career issues or other problems that are normally associated with these two disorders. I'm aware of sport pilot not requiring a medical however I also believe that the regulations require that if you have a known disqualifying condition, you aren't supposed to fly assuming I read the rules & regulations right. The same is also true if you denied a third class medical too.
I have had some people say I should go sport pilot anyway, including a couple of docs, but I don't want to do this because:
1. It's not legal! This is assuming I'm reading the rules & regulations correctly of course but breaking the law to exercise a privilege isn't right legally or morally but more importantly would just reinforce the idea that someone with a mental condition can't be trusted to make the right decisions. I'm not out to prove everyone with a condition can be safe, that's simply not possible, but I want to prove that I can be safe and lying out of the gate or omitting information isn't the way to achieve that.
2. Sport pilot doesn't allow you to fly at night or achieve an IFR rating. While these aren't privileges I would exercise on a regular basis they are something I want to work on specifically to become a safer pilot. My father was a test pilot ib the air force and said if I ever learned to fly, he'd highly recommend spending the extra time training to "plan for the unplanned".
3. I'm aware of the potential side effects of the medications and my conditions which in my view makes it even more important to go through the process of trying to get a third class medical. Why? Because although I'm highly successful in my field and haven't had any issues since childhood, that doesn't automatically mean I'm safe to fly and only someone else who is qualified should make that determination.
I know this would be an uphill battle and my chances are probably slim but I've been thinking about this for over a year now, the only question remaining would be where start or if I should even try.
So I've wanted to be a pilot since I was a child however I have two problems that I know are considered disqualifying for a third class medical either outright or indirectly due to the medications (Bipolar Disorder and ADHD). I was diagnosed as a child with both (~40 years) and am one of the exceptionally few that not only found the right medication but have been on the same meds for decades at this point with no incidents of mental issues, legal troubles, career issues or other problems that are normally associated with these two disorders. I'm aware of sport pilot not requiring a medical however I also believe that the regulations require that if you have a known disqualifying condition, you aren't supposed to fly assuming I read the rules & regulations right. The same is also true if you denied a third class medical too.
I have had some people say I should go sport pilot anyway, including a couple of docs, but I don't want to do this because:
1. It's not legal! This is assuming I'm reading the rules & regulations correctly of course but breaking the law to exercise a privilege isn't right legally or morally but more importantly would just reinforce the idea that someone with a mental condition can't be trusted to make the right decisions. I'm not out to prove everyone with a condition can be safe, that's simply not possible, but I want to prove that I can be safe and lying out of the gate or omitting information isn't the way to achieve that.
2. Sport pilot doesn't allow you to fly at night or achieve an IFR rating. While these aren't privileges I would exercise on a regular basis they are something I want to work on specifically to become a safer pilot. My father was a test pilot ib the air force and said if I ever learned to fly, he'd highly recommend spending the extra time training to "plan for the unplanned".
3. I'm aware of the potential side effects of the medications and my conditions which in my view makes it even more important to go through the process of trying to get a third class medical. Why? Because although I'm highly successful in my field and haven't had any issues since childhood, that doesn't automatically mean I'm safe to fly and only someone else who is qualified should make that determination.
I know this would be an uphill battle and my chances are probably slim but I've been thinking about this for over a year now, the only question remaining would be where start or if I should even try.
