Bad medical examiner postcript

"Bashir Salamati"
Never, never, never admit anything to an AME. Never. Ever. Even if
you are having a stroke in his office.

Is this still good advice in light of: "Falsification of a medical
application is subject to up to 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and
revocation of a pilot certificates and ratings."

I haven't taken my medical yet, and in theory there is nothing wrong with
me. I've got a minor heart valve thing that should pass because it
represents no real danger, but now you guys have got me scared.

So, do you keep your mouth shut and risk getting busted or do you open up
the can of worms?


Rob

In article et,
"Bashir Salamati"
Never, never, never admit anything to an AME. Never. Ever. Even if
you are having a stroke in his office.

Is this still good advice in light of: "Falsification of a medical
application is subject to up to 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and
revocation of a pilot certificates and ratings."

The key thing is to not admit anything, that's different from lying.
Be honest, but don't tell them what they don't ask. Basicaly remember
that the AME is NOT your doctor, he's an agent of the FAA. And it's not
his job to 'help you' or 'improve your health.' He's a screener and
sometimes not a very good one.
I plan to become an AME after I complete my residency (applying for
Med-Peds currently). I'd like to think that I'd be fair, but I also know
that I'll act as an agent of the FAA. The main reason I want to become an
AME is to HELP pilots get through the process. I'd ground them if
necessary, but I'd like to try to help them through the system too. I
know a few other AME's that are like that (mine is also a pilot and use to
rent from the same club, the club has since folded).

Rob Johnson wrote:
So, do you keep your mouth shut and risk getting busted or do you open up
the can of worms?



You keep your mouth shut. Think of it like you would an IRS audit. You have to
answer direct questions honestly but you don't offer anything that wasn't asked
for directly. If you have a heart murmur, don't mention it. If the AME finds
it, so be it. If he doesn't, it couldn't be much of a murmur. Many (if not
most) murmurs are benign anyway.

If he finds something awful, well, this is the first you've heard of it.
Ignorance is an excellent defense in this case. It may not prevent you being
grounded but it sure can keep the big fine off your back. FWIW, I don't know a
pilot who's ever gotten zinged in that way by the FAA over medical stuff. The
worst that happens is they don't get their medical.

You need to have two doctors: your real one that you tell your troubles to, and
your AME. The two should never meet.

Now, the one area the FAA won't play is that of DUIs and drug convictions. Only
the incredibly stupid pilot fools around with either.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

Rob Johnson wrote:

So, do you keep your mouth shut and risk getting busted or do you open up
the can of worms?

It's very simple for me. If there's a good chance that the Feds *can* find out
about something, I disclose it.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.