The FAA describes an AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI) as 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.
An FAA physician who is an FAA staff member (higher in the chain of command than your AME) provides the initial certification decision and grants the Authorization in accordance with 14 CFR § 67.401. The FAA's initial Authorization letter is accompanied by attachments that specify the information that treating physician(s) must provide for the re-issuance determination. The treating physicians are not typically your AME, but are more likely to be specialists in the problem area or your primary care provider.
If this is a first-time application for an AASI for COPD, and the applicant has all the requisite medical information necessary for a determination, the AME must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or the Regional Flight Surgeon for the initial determination.
Examiners may re-issue an airman medical certificate for COPD under the provisions of an Authorization, if the applicant provides the following:
NOTE: These tests must be performed within 90 days of the AME exam
- An Authorization granted by the FAA;
- A completed COPD Status Summary verifying all items are “YES” or a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note which addresses each item;
- A pulmonary Function Test (PFT); and
- A 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).
- Resting oxygen saturation is 95% or lower;
- Pulmonary Function Tests show FEV1 is LESS than 60%;
- 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) shows 4% drop in SpO2 from baseline OR walked less than 400 meters; and
- The individual is taking 4 or more medications for COPD OR is on daily oral steroid use.
Your AME must submit the COPD Status Summary or a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note; PFTs; and 6MWT results to the FAA for retention in the file.