Outreach Guidance Document
2022/11-29-267(I)PP
This outreach guidance is provided to all FAA and aviation industry groups that are participating in outreach efforts sponsored by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). It is important that all outreach on a given topic is coordinated and is free of conflicts. Therefore, all outreach products should be in alignment with the outline and concepts listed below for this topic.
Outreach Month: October 2024
Topic: Gaming the System
The FAA and industry will conduct a public education campaign emphasizing the necessity of disclosing and discussing all medical history, conditions, and medications with Aviation Medical Examiners during the course of medical certification and Basic Med evaluations.
Background:
GAJSC study of General Aviation CFIT Accidents found that a significant number of pilot fatality post-mortem examinations detected the presence of pre-existing medical conditions and/or prescription and over-the-counter medication use. A smaller number of cases revealed recreational drug use. Of concern is the fact that some pilots do not disclose a complete medical history and medication inventory making it impossible for medical examiners to determine fitness to fly.
Teaching Points:
- Disclose and discuss all medical history, condition, symptoms, prescription and OTC drug use during the medical certification process.
- Be aware of individual drug effects and the effects of combinations of drugs.
- Perform basic self assessments before each flight.
- Pilots operating under Basic Med must realize that withdrawal, suspension, or revocation of the medical certificate upon which Basic Med is based will void the Basic Med authorization as well.
- Expiration of a valid base medical certificate does not affect the Basic Med Authorization.
References:
- Gaming the System PowerPoint
- Available on the National FAASTeam Share Point site under Approved Resources.
- Pilot Information on Aeromedical Certification
