Excerpts from AME Guide |
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Aerospace Medical Dispositions
Item 46. Neurologic
The FAA instructs AMEs to initially disqualify individuals with a history or presence of any neurological condition or disease that could potentially incapacitate. The list below links to more info on common categories of neurologic disorders. After the first visit to the AME, pilots should expect that issuance of a medical certificate would be denied or defered, pending further evaluation. Don't give up immediately. At the pilot's request, the initial denial will be reviewed. A convalescence period following illness or injury may
be advisable to permit adequate stabilization of the individual's condition and to reduce the risk of an adverse event.
(Discuss this with your AME). Applications from individuals with potentially disqualifying conditions should be forwarded to the AMCD.
As with any aeromedical review, processing
your application will be expedited if you gather hospital records, consultation reports, and appropriate laboratory
and imaging studies, when available. Symptoms or disturbances that are secondary to the underlying condition and that
may be acutely incapacitating include pain, weakness, vertigo or in coordination, seizures or a disturbance of
consciousness, visual disturbance, or mental confusion. Chronic conditions may be incompatible with safety in
aircraft operation because of long-term unpredictability, severe neurologic deficit, or psychological impairment.
The following lists the most common conditions of aeromedical significance, and course of action that should be taken by the examiner as defined by the protocol and disposition in the table. Medical certificates must not be issued to an applicant with medical conditions that require deferral, or for any condition not listed that may result in sudden or subtle incapacitation without consulting the AMCD or the RFS. Medical documentation must be submitted for any condition in order to support an issuance of an airman medical certificate.
Categories of Aeromedically Significant Neurologic Disease
Nervous System Index:
- Cerebrovascular Disease (including the brain stem)
- Demyelinating Disease
- Extrapyramidal, Hereditary, and Degenerative Diseases of the Nervous System
- Headaches
- Hydrocephalus and Shunts
- Infections of the Nervous System
- Neurologic Conditions
- Other Conditions
- Presence of any neurological condition or disease that potentially may incapacitate an individual
- Spasticity, Weakness, or Paralysis of the Extremities
- Vertigo or Disequilibrium
Note: Numbers correspond to the required entry in the AME portion of the FAA Form 8500-8
Note: Numbers correspond to the required entry in the AME portion of the FAA Form 8500-8
