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The FAA has a “Special Project” underway whereby they are comparing what has been reported on airmen FAA medical certification applications versus what is reported in their VA file for disability. If there is a discrepancy, they are pulling those files and sending them to a special review. Airman are either getting a “Reconciliation” letter, or their case is being sent for legal action.
The Reconciliation letter directs that airman present for a deferred exam (1st Class exam prior to July 31st 2023, 2nd and 3rd Class exams prior to January 31, 2024, or prior to certificate expiration for all classes - whichever comes first) and correctly disclose on their application everything included with their VA benefits letter. The FAA then determines what, if any, additional information/records/evaluations are required.
Your future medical certification will be withheld until this is resolved with the FAA. There are essentially three options how you might proceed:
Regarding FAA regulations, I do my best to provide clear and helpful information to my pilots, but I stop short of telling them what they can/can’t do - that’s neither my role nor my field of expertise. But here’s what I share:
You should be very cautious now because you can unintentionally put yourself in a bad place.
The FAA uses a few different wordings to address this:
and
In their Reconciliation letter they specifically reference the following:
Title 14 CFR § 61.53, Prohibition on Operations During Medical Deficiency
Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who holds a current medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter shall not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:
The FAA is informing you that you have a known medical condition that requires FAA approval (i.e. your case must be deferred to the FAA; an AME may not issue you a certificate). Your case already is under scrutiny with possible legal action pending.
"HIMS" is a term used to describe specialty services required by the FAA for certification consideration in some cases. There are three types of providers who may be HIMS-Certified:
HIMS-trained providers are authorized (required) to be involved in the event the FAA sends a request that you seek a HIMS provider or HIMS Services for further consideration.
The most common issues for which the FAA requests HIMS evaluations are:
HIMS providers likely also provide non-HIMS services for other issues including (but not limited to):
The Process varies based on the circumstances and conditions of the individual case but almost always begins with the HIMS AME.
If the FAA requires Psychiatric and Neuropsychological evaluations (we refer to these as "PNP Evaluations: Psychiatric & NeuroPsychological"), then generally the Neuropsychological evaluation is done first because the Psychiatrist will want to review and incorporate the results of the Neuropsychological evaluation into their Psychiatric evaluation/report.
If the FAA only requires one or the other, work with your HIMS AME to find an appropriate provider and review how your case is likely to progress with the FAA.
Here is a notional flow and timeline as an example of what you might expect for your case utilizing our Integrated Services Package (your actual case could happen faster or slower depending on a number of variables):
There are a limited number of HIMS providers and their specialty services are not inexpensive. Furthermore, you can expect that these services are not covered by insurance and will be an up-front and out-of-pocket expense for you (there may be exceptions). Your HIMS AME will provide you with a "financial overview" of what to expect.
The Aviation Family Fund (we have no affiliation nor endorsement) is one resource that may be able to provide financial assistance to those in need.
HIMS stands for "Human Intervention Motivational Study" and is an occupational substance abuse treatment program dedicated to helping commercial pilots coordinate the identification, treatment and return to the cockpit of impaired aviators. Though the FAA uses the term to identify FAA-designated professionals to provide the services described above, technically an airman is not in a "HIMS Program" unless they are employed by an airline with a formal HIMS Program. Airmen may be using HIMS providers, but are not in a HIMS program / HIMS Monitoring unless doing so with their HIMS employer. The term, however, is used pretty loosely and it is accepted to use "HIMS" when talking about services for applicants not employed by a HIMS airline.
Texas AME / Austin Aerospace has developed a partnership with key HIMS Professionals (Core Providers) in order to facilitate and expedite the certification process, reduce cost, and to create a "one-stop-shop" for Clients requesting these services.
The Integrated Services Package requires a HIMS AME Case Management and/or Monitoring Service Agreement with Dr.Davenport. The Service includes direct referrals to Core Providers with priority scheduling, sharing of records/reports between Core Providers (if authorized by Client), and priority submission of your case to the FAA by your HIMS AME.
By utilizing this Integrated Services Package you may save significant finances and time.
To take advantage of this Integrated Services Package, simply click the scheduling button below and schedule a HIMS AME Services appointment with Dr. Davenport to begin.
Following are some trusted providers with whom you may coordinate on your own to provide the requested services. You will retain responsibility for providing records and reports, as well as for coordinating submission to the FAA either directly from the provider or through your HIMS AME with Case Management and/or Monitoring services.
Psychiatrists:
Douglas Beech*, MD - DouglassBeechMD.com
Stuart Gitlow*, MD - Stuart Gitlow
Edythe Harvey*, MD - UTMB Health
Gregory L. Kirk*, MD - Aviation Psychiatry
Alan Lagrone*, M.D., Ph.D - Alan Lagrone
Cole Weatherby*, DO - Moontower Mental Wellness
Leonard Weiss*, MD - Psychiatry Austin
Lauren Williams, MD - Integrative Psychiatry
Neuropsychologists:
John Fabian*, Psy.D. JD - JohnMatthewFabian.com
Kate Glywasky*, Psy.D - KG Neuropsychology
Kimberley Johnson*, Psy.D - Johnson Neuropsychology
John Largen*, PhD - John Largen and Associates
Psychologists:
Scott Hammel, Ph.D - Neurobehavioral Institute of Austin
*HIMS Provider
Having any history of ADHD (formerly ADD) requires disclosure on your FAA application (it makes no difference whether the condition was "diagnosed" or not, whether medications were or were not used, nor how long ago it occurred). Any history of ADHD will require additional steps for medical certification. We have EXPERTISE in this field and CAN HELP streamline the process for you. With advanced preparation there are instances where you'll be able to obtain your medical certificate at your first exam without any deferral to the FAA.
We have a couple of services that will be beneficial to you:
Professional Case Management:
This is a powerful full-service option where we join to help you manage your case all the way from the beginning to its logical conclusion. You no longer submit anything directly to the FAA (we do that for you!), rather you provide us the documentation for ongoing review and suggestions on how best to optimize your case regarding the timing and outcome. We'll work directly with you, step by step to expeditiously resolve your certification. If you are interested in Case Management, CONTACT DR. DAVENPORT to get started.
AME Consultation:
This is a one-time consultation where we will review your case and offer you opinions and guidance on how you might best continue to manage your case on your own with the FAA. We will provide you with references and explain the FAA's process to you. You may schedule this online as a 30-minute appointment and we can have it in person or telephonically (in person is understood unless you request a telephone consultation). A consultation will give you an overview of the process and help you understand the requirements.
Working with a Cardiologist who is familiar with the FAA's standards and knows what they are looking for can save precious time and expense. Following are some trusted providers with whom you may coordinate on your own to provide the requested services. You will retain responsibility for providing records and reports, as well as for coordinating submission to the FAA either directly from the provider or through your AME if you've established a Case Management program.
Cardiologists:
Huseng Vefali, MD - Austin Cardiology Clinic
Working with a Neurologist who is familiar with the FAA's standards and knows what they are looking for can save precious time and expense. Following are some trusted providers with whom you may coordinate on your own to provide the requested services. You will retain responsibility for providing records and reports, as well as for coordinating submission to the FAA either directly from the provider or through your AME if you've established a Case Management program.
Neurologist:
Scott Boruchow, MD - Austin Regional Clinic
Texas AME / Austin Aerospace has developed a partnership with key Mental Health Professionals (Core Providers) in order to facilitate and expedite the certification process, reduce cost, and to create a "one-stop-shop" for Clients requesting these services.
The Integrated Services Package requires an AME Case Management Agreement with Dr.Davenport. The Service includes direct referrals to Core Providers with priority scheduling, sharing of records/reports between Core Providers (if authorized by Client), and priority submission of your case to the FAA by your AME.
By utilizing this Integrated Services Package you may save significant finances and time.
To take advantage of this Integrated Services Package, simply click the scheduling button below and schedule an AME Consultation appointment with Dr. Davenport to begin.
Working with mental health providers who are familiar with the FAA's standards and know what they are looking for can save precious time and expense. Following are some trusted providers with whom you may coordinate on your own to provide the requested services. You will retain responsibility for providing records and reports, as well as for coordinating submission to the FAA either directly from the provider or through your AME if you've established a Case Management program.
Psychiatrists:
Douglas Beech*, MD - DouglassBeechMD.com
Stuart Gitlow*, MD - Stuart Gitlow
Edythe Harvey*, MD - UTMB Health
Gregory L. Kirk*, MD - Aviation Psychiatry
Alan Lagrone*, M.D., Ph.D - Alan Lagrone
Cole Weatherby*, DO - Moontower Mental Wellness
Leonard Weiss, MD - Psychiatry Austin
Lauren Williams, MD - Integrative Psychiatry
Neuropsychologists:
John Fabian*, Psy.D. JD - JohnMatthewFabian.com
Kate Glywasky*, Psy.D - KG Neuropsychology
Kimberley Johnson*, Psy.D - Johnson Neuropsychology
John Largen*, PhD - John Largen and Associates
Psychologists:
Scott Hammel, Ph.D - Neurobehavioral Institute of Austin
*HIMS Provider
Working with Substance Use providers familiar with the FAA's standards can save precious time and expense. Following are some trusted providers with whom you may coordinate on your own to provide the requested services. You will retain responsibility for providing records and reports, as well as for coordinating submission to the FAA either directly from the provider or through your AME if you've established Case Management and/or Monitoring services.
Inpatient Programs:
La Hacienda - La Hacienda
Positive Recovery Center - Positive Recovery
Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) - PaRC
The Right Step - Right Step
Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Programs:
Positive Recovery Center - Positive Recovery
Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) - PaRC
The Right Step - Right Step
Aftercare Programs:
La Hacienda - La Hacienda
Chris Kingsbury - Chris Kingsbury Counseling Services
Positive Recovery Center - Positive Recovery
Prevention and Recovery Center (PaRC) - PaRC
The Right Step - Right Step
Las Colinas Counseling - Las Colinas Counseling
Substance Use Monitoring / Drug & Alcohol Screening Tests:
Choice Labs - Choice Labs
Any Lab Test Now! - AnyLabTestNow
Clinical Pathology Laboratories - CPLLabs
Use our Super-Easy online scheduling to make and manage your appointment with us.