So, I should disclose? I am also going to talk to an aviation attorney.
I’ve read thru past Bruce’s (bbcien) reply. For reference he’s one of the most experienced HIMS AMEs in the US. He has a large group of airmen with similar experiences he’s responsible for.
Sometimes I find source documentation to be helpful. The FAA publishes what and how must be disclosed on the medical application in the Medxpress user guide.
https://medxpress.faa.gov/MedXpress/Content/Docs/MedXPressUsersGuide.pdf
Please refer to page 45 and review the instructions for block 18. Medical History. Then flip yo page 48 and review section 21.1.v in it’s entirety. Finally, flip up to page 37 and review Figure 48 in it’s entirety, to include the NOTICE on the bottom left of that figure.
That’s the FAA’s position on what is required to be disclosed.
The FAA also provides public access to the decision criteria for things that must be disclosed. For Drug/Alcohol/Substance Abuse, that criteria is at the link below.
You are in block d. At application, you need to go to a HIMS AME, will need to submit the personal statement, AND you will be deferred.
The FAA will review your statement and likely ask for more. This can range up you proving your sobriety thru private pay random alcohol testing for 12 months or longer. Mandatory AA may be required, also, and possibly evaluation by an authorized psych. This is all private pay and takes a year or more of wait time, with no guarantee of success.
The FAA can also flat out deny the application. If that happens, you will not be eligible for Sport Pilot privileges, which gets you in the air, with a passenger, solely on your having a driver’s license.
The other option is to forego the Class 3 medical and fly sport pilot which, honestly, is effectively how most private pilots fly. With 1 passenger or less, in airplanes that don’t exceed 120kts, in the daytime.
The choice is yours to make, drop a bunch of money on the hope of a class 3, or pass go, collect $200, and proceed to Sport Pilot training.
None of what I wrote is a judgement of you or your history. The FAA, by law, is required to certify your history according to federal law. The pertinent law can be found in 14 CFR 67.307 for a Class 3 medical.
