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 AASI Overview, 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 AASI Overview under the provisions of an Authorization, if the applicant provides the following:
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.
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 application for an AASI for the above disease/condition and the applicant has all the required medical information necessary for a determination, the Examiner must defer and submit all of the documentation to the AMCD or RFS for the initial determination.
- Initial Deferral: The AME defers the application to the FAA because the condition is disqualifying under standard rules.
- FAA Authorization: An FAA physician reviews the case and grants an "Authorization for Special Issuance," outlining specific conditions and required documentation.
- AME Re-issuance: The pilot provides updated records and information (like physician notes, lab tests) to the AME.
- Certificate Issued: The AME, if satisfied the pilot meets the Authorization's criteria, re-issues the medical certificate.