Gender Identity Disorder : What to Expect at the Flight Physical

FlightPhysical.com note: Pregnancy Exam and GU System are posted separately.

FAA NOTE: The pelvic examination is performed only at the applicant's option or if indicated by specific history or physical findings. If a pelvic examination is performed, the results are to be recorded in Item 60 Examiner Comments of FAA Form 8500-8.

I. Code of Federal Regulations

Legal References: 14 CFR 67.113(b)(c), 67.213(b)(c), 67.313(b)(c),

Legal Extract (Applies to All Classes):

• (b) No other organic, functional, or structural disease, defect, or limitation that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the condition involved, finds -

  1. Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held; or
  2. May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.
• (c) No medication or other treatment that the Federal Air Surgeon, based on the case history and appropriate, qualified medical judgment relating to the medication or other treatment involved, finds -
  1. Makes the person unable to safely perform the duties or exercise the privileges of the airman certificate applied for or held; or
  2. May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the airman medical certificate applied for or held, to make the person unable to perform those duties or exercise those privileges.

Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and gender reassignment require a complete review of the individual’s relevant medical history and records. For initial consideration the Examiner must defer and submit the following to AMCD or RFS:

• A current status report to include:
  
  
  • All current medications, dosages, and side-effects; and
  • Copies of all pertinent inpatient and outpatient medical records pertaining to the individual’s GID diagnosis, work-up, and treatment.
• Psychiatric and/or psychological evaluations by a board certified psychiatrist and/or a licensed psychologist experienced in transgender issues that includes an assessment of any substance abuse or misuse. Neurocognitive testing is not required unless clinically indicated.
• Hospital and post-operative report from the surgeon if individual has had surgery.

NOTE: If the individual refrains from surgery, no surgical report is required. However, if surgery is elected at a later date, follow-up reports from a psychiatrist and/or psychologist and the surgeon will be required.