FAA PTSD Info (Update) | Applying to Multiple Units | Tomcat in the Guard? | Flying airlines and MIL
609Mover Mailbag:
- An update from the FAA on PTSD Standards
- Gavin asks if it's bad to apply to multiple Guard/Reserve Units
- Why didn't the F-14 Tomcat stick around go to the Guard/Reserve?
- Luke asks what life's like flying in both the airlines and reserves
- Cody asks for tips to make his UPT application stand out.
Here's the text from the PTSD Email:
"Before we talk about PTSD lets sort out some issues that generally bring out feelings about the FAA process. The following things deserve acknowledgement
1. Time - The FAA is dealing with a significant backlog of cases accumulated from previous government shutdowns. Also, they are victim to their success. After all, the more people certified under special issuances, each year brings additional workload for renewal to medical certification thus adding to the backlog.
2. Communication – Oklahoma City does not usually call Airmen directly to speak about issues. The letters Airmen receive are oriented towards a legal certification process under administrative law (Part 67). Admittedly, this makes it difficult to understand why a decision is being made, or what is needed to resolve issues.
The effect of this process can be frustrating for Airmen. Its understandable when someone is upset that after 6 months of process they receive a denial letter and feel like they are back to square one. Additional testing for anything in medical is very expensive. To add insult, the letter uses language that is oriented on a legal process. This system is far from perfect, but you will be glad to know its constantly being improved.
About PTSD
1. Physicians and staff do not view mental health issues with stigma. They see it as any other physical condition. Also, as in any other condition, they want to see a treatment history that is complete.
2. Declare your condition on the application and take your printed treatment history to your AME for the exam. Be prepared to talk in specifics and be candid. This is how you build confidence from the medical community.
3. Some medications are not compatible with flying. You can call your regional office and they will check it with no questions.
4. Many Airman obtain medical certification who have PTSD. They were successful because they have been successfully treated or are undergoing treatment and are stable and therefore certify-able. If their records are incomplete or there are aeromedical questions, the FAA can ask you for an additional psychologist or psychiatric evaluation from an approved provider. These evaluations have specifications, and are usually not covered by insurance.
5. You may leave the AME exam with a medical certificate however the FAA will likely have additional information requirements after reviewing your case.
6. The initial process to obtain medical certification for Airmen who have any type of complicated history can be long. It can take from 4-6 months to get through it. There is a temptation to obtain medical certification quicker by omitting any relevant history. Omission is not successful in the long term. Also, Airmen may actually receive a denial letter before they receive final certification. Many people are successful in turning ‘no’ to a ‘yes’. Keep moving forward.
7. Many medical cases need ongoing treatment. The FAA treats these as a Special Issuance Medical Certificate where they ask for specific follow up documents annually. You will get a memo explaining what you need to provide. In your video comments a viewer states to “obtain a ‘SODA’ for this condition”. A ‘SODA’ is for conditions that do not change. PTSD changes and doesn’t qualify."
*Views presented are my own and do not represent the views of DoD or its Components.*
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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