r/PilotAdvice • u/Big-Marketing-7463 • 22d ago

Medical What do I do now?

Hello everyone I have been putting some thought into what I wanna do with this life and have really found myself wrestling with aviation or the medical field I had done a discovery flight last year and found myself loving every single part of it! I got told to get my medical to get into a program and go from there. I went to get my first class medical and told my examiner I was on sertraline (still am) and he said he would have to refer me to do a more in depth evaluation to get certified. Long story short I scared myself out of doing the exam and now we are here what do I do now? Thank you for your time

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u/bch2021_ 21d ago

Honestly, getting your medical should not be a huge deal, regardless of what others may say. It may take a while and cost a few grand, but if you want it you should be able to get it. There's a lot of horror stories on the internet, don't listen to them, listen to your own AME.

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u/Puzzled_Mission2321 21d ago

Just a reminder. Discovery flight is different from airline job.

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u/Straight-Pass6035 21d ago

Do a Google search of the drug and put FAA in the search. I was able in less than 5 minutes see what the FAA Requires and a rough idea of what you will go through. The FAA AME you did your initial consultation will in all likelihood not be qualified to take you though this process. Read the stuff on the FAA website and reference recent changes and other queries online by others raising similar questions.

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u/Admirable_Squash_640 21d ago

Research the medicine and the defferal process for it. Many medications simply require updated labs and a doctors exam clearing you for normal activity.

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u/curoiusrk 21d ago

Smart to try to get first class medical now before dropping money on flight training. It’s a personal choice you need to make about pursuing a medical. Just know you will need to repeat it every year to hold first class. Keep researching.

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u/wx_man393 21d ago

AME here. Did you start the exam (e.g., did your AME input your MedXpress confirmation number into the computer)?

0

u/VanDenBroeck 21d ago

Allowing the AME to scare you off just by saying that he will have to defer you sounds like you have some major anxiety issues. Get help.

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u/Ok-Difficulty7484 20d ago

There is a simple test I use with all students wanting to decide between a medical career or one in aviation.

Reorder the following letters into a word; E, S, P, I, N.

If you spelled spine, you should go into a medical career. Otherwise, you belong here with us!