FAA Works with Veterans to Reconcile Pilot Medical Records

The FAA is doing its part to ensure that the information on file for Airman Medical Certificate holders is accurate and complete.

The Federal Aviation Administration is offering an opportunity for certain pilots who served in the U.S. military and may be receiving disability benefits from the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) to reconcile medical applications and records on file with the FAA.

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Inspector General raised concerns about potential discrepancies following an audit. After working with the VA, the FAA determined that just under 1 percent (just under 4,800) of the more than 600,000 certified pilots in the U.S. might have submitted incorrect or false information about certain medical conditions that qualify for Veterans Administration benefits as part of their most recent FAA medical application.

The FAA is notifying veterans whose records may contain incorrect information about VA disability benefits and/or related medical conditions that they have a limited timeframe to reconcile any information on file with the FAA.

“The FAA thanks our veterans for their service to their country, and we know that they share our goal of keeping our aerospace system safe,” said David Boulter, the FAA’s acting assistant administrator for aviation safety. “We look forward to resolving this issue in a timely manner.”

The FAA’s medical staff completed a preliminary review of all of the cases to identify pilots who might have disqualifying medical conditions. The FAA identified approximately 60 pilots in this group and notified them that they must cease flying while our staff works with them to reconcile their records.

The agency has so far closed approximately 2,550 cases where pilots included incorrect information or other types of administrative errors that resulted in their inclusion in the initial group, or because the pilots had already reported their conditions.

Approximately 1,250 pilots in the initial group no longer hold valid medical certificates. Some of these pilots could be flying under BasicMed, which allows them to fly smaller airplanes (no larger than six seats) on a non-commercial basis. The FAA continues to review these cases.

The majority of the remaining pilots with open cases may continue flying while the FAA works with them to reconcile their paperwork by the date stated in the notification letters.

The FAA determined that only a small percentage of the initial group hold First Class medical certificates — the agency’s most stringent standard. The FAA is working with these pilots to reconcile their records.

The agency will take additional steps — including enforcement action — based on the details of the individual cases.

To complete this process, all affected First Class Airman Medical Certificate holders must submit a new medical application and schedule an appointment with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) when their current medical certificate expires or no later than July 31, 2023, whichever is earlier. Second and Third Class Airman Medical Certificate holders must submit a new medical application and schedule an appointment with their AME when their current medical certificate expires or no later than January 31, 2024, whichever is earlier.

Pilots required to reconcile their medical records must comply by the deadline and disclose all medical information requested. This includes receipt of veteran disability benefits and related medical conditions.

Medical requirements for pilots vary depending on whether they are seeking a first, second or third class certification. These certifications determine what kind of aircraft they can fly and what operations they can perform.