Services: FAA Flight Physical

I have been designated by the FAA as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to provide Second and Third Class medical exams. As a pilot myself I understand how important flying is to you. We both want you to leave my office with your certificate in hand. If there are issues that need to be addressed I will work with you, your personal physician and the FAA to resolve them.

On arriving at my office you will be given the FAA 8500-8 form to complete. This will usually take 15 to 30 minutes to complete. Please allow sufficient time prior to your appointment to complete this form. After you complete the form you will meet with me to review the form and discuss your medical history after which you will have a complete physical examination (except a rectal exam, pelvic exam (women) and breast exam (women) which is not required). Additional testing will also be performed including a urine test as well as vision and hearing testing. Certain conditions might require an EKG (electrocardiogram) to be performed.

Please use the following as a checklist to make sure you have everything needed for your exam:

  • Please bring a picture ID (e.g., Drivers license, passport) to your appointment
  • Make sure you have a current eye exam and glasses, especially if your near or far vision has changed and please...Do not forget your eyeglasses!
  • If you have Special Issuance letter from the FAA, bring it with you to the exam
  • In addition, bring all medical information outlined in your special issuance letter
  • Also, don’t forget. If you have a Special Issuance medical, mail in all the medical information requested by the FAA by the required date
  • Do not forget to tell me if you have one of 15 disqualifying conditions:
    • Diabetes mellitus requiring hypoglycemic medication
    • Angina pectoris
    • Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that is symptomatic or clinically significant
    • Myocardial infarction
    • Cardiac valve replacement
    • Permanent pacemaker
    • Heart replacement
    • Psychosis
    • Bipolar disorder
    • Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
    • Substance dependence
    • Substance abuse
    • Epilepsy
    • Disturbance of consciousness without a satisfactory explanation of the cause,
    • Transient loss of nervous system function(s) without a satisfactory explanation of the cause.
  • Bring all required medical records from your personal physician regarding any chronic medical condition (example: hypertension and asthma)
  • See your personal physician for evaluation and treatment prior to the medical exam if you have borderline high blood pressure or any other chronic condition. Please note: For the FAA flight physical I will be an examining physician and not your treating physician. I will refer you back to your primary physician for further testing and/or evaluation if required.
  • If you have a family history of diabetes mellitus (or other familial disease), you should have periodic checks with your personal physician prior to the medical exam
  • Make sure you bring a written list of all you medications. Please include in this list the following information for each medication:
    • Name of medication
    • Dose taken
    • Frequency of use (once a day, twice a day, only when needed)
    • Condition taking the medication for
    • When you started taking the medication (month and year)
    • Any side effects you might have from the medication
  • If you have a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability, e.g., color vision defect) please don’t forget to bring it.

I share your love of flying…and your commitment to keep flying safe for all of us... and the public that counts on us. For the very few pilots who don’t leave my office with their certificate, most will obtain it with further testing and review by the FAA. Help me help you, by providing complete and accurate information.

I look forward to meeting you at the office!

If you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions about your exam or what may be required, please feel free to call and speak with me:

Bruce R.Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D. at 516-487-2700 or bruce.gilbert@verizon.net.

REFERENCES:

FAR Part 67: Medical Standards and Certification
Aviation Physiology: FAA monograph which covers the basics