Aviation Medical Scenarios
Post your thorough and complete answers to any two of the following Aviation Medical scenarios:
Scenario 1
You are a pilot. You have a stuffy nose and are taking a commercial off-the-shelf cold remedy.
• a. How can you tell if it is legal for you to fly while you are taking that medication?
• b. Even if it proves technically legal for you to fly, would it be prudent?
Scenario 2
You are a pilot. You are arrested for an alcohol-related traffic offense.
• a. Are you required to report the arrest to the FAA? If so, to whom and when?
• b. If your driver's license is suspended as a result of the incident, are you required to report the suspension to the FAA? If so, to whom and when?
• c. If the FAA requests that you submit to a battery of psychological tests to determine whether you are an alcoholic, are you required to comply? Who would be responsible to pay the costs of that testing?
Scenario 3
You are a pilot with a current aviation medical certificate but experience a health problem. Describe the complete analytical process you would follow to determine whether you can legally act as a pilot or required flight crewmember.
Scenario 4
You are an airline pilot flying international routes for a major U.S. airline. During an overnight stay in a foreign country, you go out to see the sights and sample the local cuisine.
After you return to your room, you experience a crushing chest pain and become violently ill. You go to a local clinic, where the doctor examines you, does a few tests, and tells you that you had a heart attack. By morning, you're feeling fine and believe the doctor was wrong. Is it legal for you to act as a pilot or other required flight crewmember on the return flight to the U.S.? Explain.
Scenario 5
For a nation or union of nations other than the U.S:
• Compare the applicable medical standards for certification of civilian pilots with the FAA standards described in the text, pointing out similarities and differences.
• Provide hyperlinks to references relied on.
• If you choose to answer this Scenario, then also answer either Scenario 1 or 3 by reference to the regulations you identified in your response to this Scenario.