Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Special Issuances
AASI for All Classes
If you are a pilot with a disqualifying condition, you should be familiar with AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI). AASI is a type of renewal waiver that your local AME can grant after an initial waiver from the FAA. If this is a first-time issuance for a disqualifying disease/condition, and the applicant has all of the requisite medical information necessary for a determination, the AME must defer, and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or the RFS.
The AME Guide refers to a number of selected medical conditions that are initially disqualifying and must be deferred to the AMCD or RFS. After the FAA grants a waiver, there are then checklists or "protocols" which the airman and AME must fulfill to maintain flying status. These are the AASI guidelines. Despite confusing terminology, when the FAA refers to a waiver, they usually call this an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) by the AMCD or RFS's office. Each AASI has its own specialized clinical criteria, by which an AME may reissue a medical certificate to an applicant with a medical history of an initially disqualifying condition, if otherwise qualified.
AASI for Third-Class
AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI) is a process that provides Examiners the ability to re-issue an airman medical certificate under the provisions of an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate (Authorization) to an applicant who has a medical condition that is disqualifying under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 67.
The AASI’s listed below are presently restricted to the issue of a third-class airman medical certificate.
An FAA physician provides the initial certification decision and grants the Authorization in accordance with 14 CFR § 67.401. The Authorization letter is accompanied by attachments that specify the information that treating physician(s) must provide for the re-issuance determination. If this is a first time issuance of an Authorization for the above disease/condition, and the applicant has all of the requisite medical information necessary for a determination, the AME must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or RFS for the initial determination.
For Third-class:
- Coronary Heart Disease (to include):
- Angina Pectoris
- Atherectomy
- Brachytherapy
- Coronary Bypass Grafting
- Myocardial Infarction
- Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTCA)
- Rotoblation
- Stent Insertion
- Valve Replacement
AME Assisted Special Issuance Certificate Coversheet (MS Word)