NTSB - Denial of Medical Certification: Options

 

 

 

MEDICAL STANDARDS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16, 1996


 

First Class
(ATP)
Second Class
(commercial)
Third Class
(private)
Distant vision 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction 20/40 or better in each separately, with or without correction.
Near vision 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction, as measure at 16 in.
Intermediate vision 20/40 or better in each eye separately (Snellen equivalent), with or without correction at age 50 and over, as measure at 32 in. No requirement.
Color vision Ability to perceive those colors necessary for safe performance of airman duties.
Hearing Demonstrate hearing of an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears at six feet, with the back turned to the examiner, or pass one of the audiometric tests below.
Audiology Audiometric speech discrimination test-score at least 70% reception in one ear. Pure tone audiometric test-unaided, with thresholds no worse than: 
                           500Hz  1,000Hz   2,000Hz   3,000Hz
    Better ear  35db   30db    30db    40db
    Worse ear   35db   50db    50db    60db
Ear, nose, and throat No ear disease or condition manifested by, or that may reasonably be expected to be manifested by, vertigo or disturbance of speech or equilibrium.
Pulse Not disqualifying per se. Used to determine cardiac system status and responsiveness.
Blood pressure No specified values stated in the standards. Hypertension covered under general medical standard and in the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.
Electro-cardiogram 
(ECG)		 At age 35 and annually after age 40. Not required if cardiovascular examination is normal.
Mental No diagnosis of psychosis or bipolar or severe personality disorders.
Substance dependence 
and substance abuse		 A diagnosis or medical history of "substance dependence" is disqualifying unless there is established clinical evidence, satisfactory to the Federal Air Surgeon, of recovery, including sustained total abstinence from the substance(s) for not less than the preceding two years. A history of "substance abuse" within the preceding two years is disqualifying. "Substance" includes alcohol and other drugs (i.e., PCP, sedatives and hypnotics, anxiolytics, marijuana, cocaine, opiods, amphetamines, hallucinogens, and other psychoactive drugs or chemicals).
Disqualifying conditions The medical standards of Part 67 of the Federal Aviation Regulations require that in order for an airman medical certificate to be issued pursuant to the completion of an application, a pilot must have no established history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following: 
  1. Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medication;
  2. Angina pectoris;
  3. Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant;
  4. Myocardial infarction;
  5. Cardiac valve replacement;
  6. Permanent cardiac pacemaker;
  7. Heart replacement;
  8. Psychosis;
  9. Bipolar disorder;
  10. Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;
  11. Substance dependence;
  12. Substance abuse;
  13. Epilepsy;
  14. Disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory explanation of cause; and
  15. Transient loss of control of nervous system function (s) without satisfactory explanation of cause.