Medical special issuance vs training, fallback plans if can't solo?

[vibster]

Thanks for the info & replies so far! I'm still researching and this is all helpful.

I do have a state driver's license, and haven't done the medical yet (so no failures logged, or SI process started), so I guess it comes down to the reading of 14 CFR Part 61.303:

A person using a U.S. driver's license to meet the requirements of this paragraph must -

(1) Comply with each restriction and limitation imposed by that person's U.S. driver's license and any judicial or administrative order applying to the operation of a motor vehicle;

(2) Have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application (if the person has applied for a medical certificate);

(3) Not have had his or her most recently issued medical certificate (if the person has held a medical certificate) suspended or revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate withdrawn; and

(4) Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner.

It's the subparagraph 4 that worries me -- I can say I believe I'm safe to fly under sport pilot rules, but do I run a risk of the FAA deciding otherwise, and what sort of enforcement action is possible? Eg, if they just ground me until I can pass a medical with a special issuance, that's fine -- even if it ends up being impossible to get the SI, I'd feel like I went through proper procedure. But if they fine me for every flight I've ever made that would be un-fun!

I do know that since the LSA and Sport Pilot spec limitations and operational rules are more limited they're a bit laxer on the medical stuff, so I understand if it literally is a more lax entry point to flight, because there's less danger from someone's health taking a surprise turn for the worse. It's also good to figure out just what the rules are.

In a pinch, ultralights are also definitely a possibility for me to explore to get my 'fly a bit' experience, and remain a fallback position -- as well as something I might due to just "build my own" even if I can also fly big-kid planes!

Thanks again for advice so far; I'm going to do more research on the sport pilot + driver's license situation specifically to see if I can get a firmer picture of things!

[Dana]

Paragraph 4 means that you, in your own reasonable opinion, have no medical issues that would prevent a safe flight today. The only time the FAA would ever look at it is if your medical condition, that you know of, causes you to have an accident.

[Eric Page]

Dana is exactly right. All pilots have to assess their fitness to fly before each and every flight. If you're having a rough day and you don't feel that flying is a safe activity today, then don't fly. If your doctor put you on a new medication, wait a week or two before you fly again to see if there are any side-effects. As long as you're responsible about making an honest assessment of yourself, your doctor is aware that you fly and hasn't advised against it, and none of your medications carry an advisory against operating motor vehicles or machinery, you should be fine.

Oh, and I'm not a lawyer.

If you have specific questions, my advice would be to join AOPA, then call them and ask to speak to an aeromedical advisor. Details here: https://aopa.org/go-fly/medical-resources

[vibster]

Thanks! I'll look into AOPA as well for some additional confirmation; and that's a helpful clarification on the sport pilot medical rules. (As always, will take professional advice in the end and do what's safe first and foremost!)

[FlyingRon]

I'll warn you about AOPA medical phone help. It's not very good, and one of the reasons I ended up grounded a few years back.

Tons of useful information is available just by reading the FAA's own guidance:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...aam/ame/guide/

[DaleB]

Whether or not you are fit and safe to fly under Sport Pilot rules is between you and your doctor(s).

[vibster]

Thanks, the FAA AME guidance is exactly the sort of info I'm looking for! Very helpful, and I think I can trim out the private pilot license as a possibility based on the guidance in there, as a special issuance looks unlikely. Will continue to research sport pilot, with backup plans to limit myself to taking lessons under supervision if that's too sketchy or turns out to be a hard no.

[Eric Page]

Or, as you suggested above, fly ultralights with no need for any "permission" from the government. Many years ago, before I took the path toward commercial flying, I flew ultralights for awhile. Believe it or not, back in the early 90's there was a place in Arlington, WA that actually rented ultralights and offered instruction. I don't know what the ultralight instruction and rental landscape looks like today, but I remember that time well; it was some of the most fun I've ever had in the air.

Whatever you decide, good luck, and I hope to meet you on the ramp one day!

[malexander]

Dana is exactly right. All pilots have to assess their fitness to fly before each and every flight. If you're having a rough day and you don't feel that flying is a safe activity today, then don't fly. If your doctor put you on a new medication, wait a week or two before you fly again to see if there are any side-effects. As long as you're responsible about making an honest assessment of yourself, your doctor is aware that you fly and hasn't advised against it, and none of your medications carry an advisory against operating motor vehicles or machinery, you should be fine.

Oh, and I'm not a lawyer.

If you have specific questions, my advice would be to join AOPA, then call them and ask to speak to an aeromedical advisor. Details here: https://aopa.org/go-fly/medical-resources

This exactly.
Don't kid yourself about the sport pilot license. It really IS a real license to fly and do exactly what you say you want, day VFR. Granted, you'll also be limited to only one passenger, BUT, you may only have one friend, lol.

On the other hand, once you get a pilots license, you find out you have/had more friends than you knew about. Sort of like winning the lottery, you find out you have more relatives than you ever imagined.

[vibster]

So after some further research on FAA & AOPA sites:
* Sport pilot allows you and your doctor to decide if you're safe unless you have either gotten, been denied, or been yanked from a medical cert... BUT it's the FAA not your doctor who will enforce the rule.
* My condition and medication would get me denied as unsafe to fly by the FAA based on their guidance to medical examiners.
* Ergo, I can't assume that even if my doctor cleared me that the FAA wouldn't come down like a ton of bricks, yank my license, and possibly issue a fine for every time I've touched an airplane.

Unless someone can provide some evidence of actual people *openly* flying on sport pilot license with conditions like bipolar and ADHD and not getting in trouble with the FAA, I'm going to assume it's ultralights for me.

Thanks for your time, all!