Tinnitus and sport pilot

[Interested]

I've been flying Sport Pilot rules for years. Never had a problem, as I fly a LSA aircraft. But a friend has been encouraging me to go ahead and file a disability claim for tinnitus that's been plaguing me since my Navy days. I know that tinnitus, in and of itself, is not disqualifying. I also know that a lot of pilots have it noted in their medical. But the guys I've talked to all got their tinnitus determination while they were still getting their Class I-III physicals. The only thing they had to do was get their AME to say it's not a problem affecting their flying. But since I'm self-certifying on my driver's license, I haven't seen an AME in a good while. My wife keeps asking me if I'm sure that applying for the tinnitus disability won't affect my Sport Pilot, since I'm not getting a sign off from an AME that it's not a problem. Has anyone got experience with this situation?

 

[Lindberg]

I've been flying Sport Pilot rules for years. Never had a problem, as I fly a LSA aircraft. But a friend has been encouraging me to go ahead and file a disability claim for tinnitus that's been plaguing me since my Navy days. I know that tinnitus, in and of itself, is not disqualifying. I also know that a lot of pilots have it noted in their medical. But the guys I've talked to all got their tinnitus determination while they were still getting their Class I-III physicals. The only thing they had to do was get their AME to say it's not a problem affecting their flying. But since I'm self-certifying on my driver's license, I haven't seen an AME in a good while. My wife keeps asking me if I'm sure that applying for the tinnitus disability won't affect my Sport Pilot, since I'm not getting a sign off from an AME that it's not a problem. Has anyone got experience with this situation?

Do you have tinnitus? And does it affect your ability to safely operate an aircraft? These are the relevant questions as to whether you can fly under sport pilot rules. Whether or not you apply for disability is irrelevant.

Of course, if you apply for disability based on tinnitus, the FAA will assume the answer to the first question is yes. But it's still the condition that's relevant, not the disability claim.

 

[Half Fast]

How could it effect flying under SP? If it doesn’t impact your driver’s license you’re good to fly. It’s not like there’s something you have to file with the FAA.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

Do you have tinnitus? And does it affect your ability to safely operate an aircraft? These are the relevant questions as to whether you can fly under sport pilot rules. Whether or not you apply for disability is irrelevant.

Of course, if you apply for disability based on tinnitus, the FAA will assume the answer to the first question is yes. But it's still the condition that's relevant, not the disability claim.

Yep. I have it, it can be disconcerting, but if I wasn't able to work due to it, I sure as heck wouldn't even drive a car.