Antidepressants and 3rd Class Medical

Sydney Hoeltzli wrote:

Toks Desalu wrote:
If a pilot has current 3rd class medical, and then
begins taking antidepressants, you are required to void your certificate
VOLUNTARILY according to FAA regulation.

What FAA regulation would this be? Can you provide a reference?

There isn't one, except through 61.53 by a back door route.

My understanding is: don't act as PIC while suffering from a medical
condition or taking medication which preclude safe flight or which
are not approved by FAA. When the condition is ameliorated and
the medication is out of one's system, go for it.

Your understanding is a bit off. The applicable FAR 61.53
only mentions safety if a medical is *not* required to act
as PIC (gliders, etc.) If a medical *is* required, the
standard is whether you can "meet the requirements for the
medical certificate."

IOW, let's say you take a medication. If you are safe to
fly while taking it, you can fly a glider, even while taking
it. If the medical requirements prohibit granting you a
medical when you have the underlying condition , then you
can't fly an airplane, even if you are safe, regardless of
whether you are taking the medication.

The tests are totally different for PIC where a medical is
req'd and PIC where it is not. One looks at safety and
allows the pilot to make the determination, the other looks
at the medical regulations.


Todd Pattist
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