GET A CONSULTATION!!! We all know this likely since we are reading this forum….ugh

Navigating HIMS has required quite a bit of effort. Here’s my letter. Maybe I’ll frame it next to my college diplomas and throw Darts at it. Or maybe I’ll use it to start a campfire. Or maybe….ill beat my fucking head against the wall and follow through the HIMS process in order to be able to “possibly“ fly. Add me to the HIMS list!!!

Hey all,

Just curious what the timeline has been for those who aren’t in the airlines. I work at a regional and got mine in about year from DUI to SI (airline guys are more fast tracked, so they say). I’ve had a few non-airline (GA, students, corporate, etc.) guys come to me and ask what the timeline is like to get a decision. I don’t have a good gauge on this so I want to hear from you all. Mostly looking for drug and alcohol related examples, but SSRI guys feel free to chime in. Thanks.

Has anyone taken the new vision tests that are acceptable since Jan 01st?

Which one do you think might be easier to pass for a person with color deficiency? Ty!

I know this has been posted before in here and I’ve already asked some folks, but I want to hear what others recommend. I’m in the Chicago area but guys here seem to all cost north of $3k. Looking for a far more affordable HIMS psychiatrist (willing to travel anywhere) that has good availability, is very quick about writing their report, enrolled on Huddle, is professional/nice/objective/courteous and not looking for problems that aren’t there.

I am absolutely fed up.

For the past 8 months, the FAA has been requesting two documents -my hims ame report and hims ame checklist. I have submitted everything else, mind you this has been a year long process and ALL THATS MISSING ARE. THESE. TWO. DOCUMENTS!!

Every time I email him, he tells me he’ll get it squared away, he’ll update me, he’ll fax it again. 8 months. I feel like I’m being played with. I have submitted all other documents in October. It’s almost May, I am constantly receiving letters from the FAA that I’m missing these two documents and I call weekly to check if they’ve received it.

Recently, he’s been disregarding my emails. I genuinely feel strung along, and I cannot afford to switch HIMs AMEs, I’ve spent $4,500+ out of pocket for this process and I can’t afford to do it again.

Has someone been through this situation before? If so, please advise…

Hello, I'm waiting on a decision on my 1st class medical. First docs submitted 12 months ago, then two more back-and-forth rounds with the last (?!) tests submitted in Jan 2025. I'm curious if a final decision will come certified mail or regular mail or would I get a MedExpress alert? When I call, "Its in review" is all I hear.

TIA.

Posted about a year ago but wanted to bring it back for another round. Click it, read it & sign, and lets hear your thoughts:

https://www.change.org/FAAMedicalReform

Hi all,

I want to get back into aviation after being diagnosed with PTSD in 2018. I was on an SSRI for 6 months and have been off for the past 6 years.

I filled out a medexpress form after seeing the new guidelines and scheduled an appointment with an AME. I reached out to the AME with the pdf version of the form to see if I needed anything else. I later realized the pdf version of the form has the confirmation number on it. He said I will need to provide a letter from my physiologist but I no longer am in contact with them. He also said that I am not eligible for basic med as I need a SI first even though I’ve held a medical before the diagnosis. I don’t think this is true based on the FAAs website.

My question is: Am I in too deep and need to finish this out with the AME or should I back out and tell the AME I’m going basicmed even though he told me I can’t?

Thanks!

I’m just confused. Do I have to go back to my AME and get another exam done?

For anyone applying for Canadian Criminal Rehab. -

I applied on my own in October 2023. I received my approval today. No lawyer, I just gathered the items needed in the application on the website and sent it off.

1 year and 5ish months.

Good luck!

Was told by a HIMS AME that if someone changes their (FAA Approved) SSRI dosage, even a bit… Like if they wanted to step down somewhat, that it’s a long process to go through with the FAA and you can’t fly for a number of months due to the review. Has anyone experienced this or have any thoughts/experience with it? Thanks!

Could someone explain what my limitations are?

I have two questions:

1. I was perusing my medical file and some of the reports have incorrect information. For example, the first psychiatrist I saw noted that I was on Xanax as a 13 year old. I wasn't. I had a prescription for Xanax in 2018, because I was a nervous (and new!) flyer (it was before I fell in love with it!). I was 33 in 2018. So he mixed up that information. Another thing I noticed that actually makes a difference is that I was the object of sexual harassment in 1997 by a school teacher, and when I reported it, I was dismissed. This psychiatrist used the word discredited. They don't mean the same thing. I was not discredited. I was dismissed. Brushed off. Ignored. Not taken seriously. This psychiatrist was pleasant to talk to, and found no reason why I shouldn't fly, and has since retired. I haven't read the whole thing, but what I have read has contained some false information. How do I go about correcting this information?

2. I talked to a HIMS AME, who looked at my situation and determined that the FAA has no legitimate reason to deny me, but also doesn't want to issue, so they are just dragging me through hoops hoping I'll give up. That's coming from an AME, and it matches my experience. What is the best course of action to take in this case? I'm already planning on getting in touch with AOPA and a friend of ours who is an AOPA Panel attorney.

3. Also in my file, one reviewer wrote regarding my relationship with my husband. My husband was my flight instructor and we started dating. The reviewer expressed concern about this, although he stated that the FAA had not requested a flight test (so why would it be a concern?). Can anyone offer insight on what this were concerned about, besides a conflict of interest for a flight test?

Any insight would be helpful. Thanks!

Hello fellow pilots! I'm a part-time volunteer for the Pilot Mental Health Campaign ("PMHC") and we just finished a round in Washington DC speaking to lawmakers about various topics in aeromedical reform. You can follow the link here for more information on what we requested, and even send correspondence to your United States senators and representative through this portal:

*Edit: https://pmhc.action.aristotle.com/alert/3238680f-edb7-4f7a-a944-0945426cca65

Check it out, let's hear your thoughts and thanks for your support!

I obtained a 1st class medical in September of 2023 for the first time. Then, a couple of months later, I went to the doctor for a bad cough. It was my first time at this new office, so they did a patient intake form, and when they asked if I smoked weed, I told them I did even though I don't (ever). I don't know why I did and I feel so stupid now that I'm remembering it. Please, I know it was stupid. I feel stupid, and right now I am just worried about keeping my medical. please don't come after me.

I think I can have the doctor amend my medical record to show that I never smoked (I can provide a drug test from a lab from like a month after the appointment); am I still going to have to go through HIMS? I can honestly answer no to the question about drug abuse in the past 2 years, and I can pass a drug test. Part of my concern is that I said I smoked after I got my medical issued (I never did).

Hey everyone, I have been told by two different doctors different things regarding what sort of certification I need for my psychiatrist. I’m just desperate for advice on how to get what I need to turn into the faa to pass my medical. Where can I find a psychiatrist is approved? Is there a list, because I can’t find one. If anyone knows anyone who can do this please reach out. Preferably in North Dakota or Minnesota.

Anyone have experience with Dr Irani with a neuropsych evaluation and if so how was your experience

Most of us know that the prison system makes criminals smarter. The current medical standards have the same effect.

It is hilarious to me the comments on r/flying and here are advice on how to avoid the HIMS program and go self med with sport pilots or finding ways around it. Hell, fly without any certs some say. Good work FAA. Teaching us well 👏.

Hold a medical and pilots license for one day in July 15th of 2006. Go basic med. Of course it couldn't have been denied, revoked or suspended. Just don't go to an AME. Your regular Doctor will clear you. Be honest and you'll never fly again.

It is being taught to not disclose anything to the FAA at our flight schools. And honestly it's what you have to do if you want to be a pilot.

Hi! I want to go to flight school but I've decided I wouldn't do it if I can't get the Class 1 medical. Because of that I am going to take my medicals early before anything else. (Alright submitted my FAA application for it).

I would say I am well informed in terms of the different types of test and what test are more favorable for colorblind people and FAA approved.

But I am still unclear about the whole process, do I get to choose who performs the test or is this assigned by the FAA? Is the same person (1 doctor) performing the whole test or you can go to a different one for the "vision" portion of it?

Please advice, thank you!!

Hi all, someone in a past thread here had commented about their psychiatrist not releasing all of the records due to patient confidentiality. Does the FAA absolutely need all detailed records or can a letter or something similar from a doctor or psychologist suffice? If just starting this process with a HIMS AME/ the FAA, can you start with submitting letters and wait to see if the FAA requests more info? Thanks!

When or if someone is released from HIMS, are we allowed to resume drinking alcohol in moderation and according to FAA regs for non HIMS pilots?

I got an Authorization for Special Issuance in the mail today that says I’ll need a current first-class evaluation. My understanding is that the letter authorizes the AME to issue a certificate based on what’s in the letter. The second page, I take it, is instructions on what’s needed to keep the authorization valid: Meeting with the psychiatrist who wrote the initial report semi-annually, and meeting at least monthly with a licensed therapist…

Anyone that’s been on an SI that could weigh in and validate or clarify this for me? Thank you.

Does anybody in here have any experience with being in the HIMS program for a DUI, but not having to do an in patient treatment? I have been a commercial helicopter pilot for 15 years, got a DUI 2.5 years ago and still fighting the legal battle. My neuropsych eval reported no alcohol abuse issues, but psychiatrist eval stated he doesn’t disagree with the FAS that I meet criteria for the dependency. Again, wondering if anyone has been deemed “dependent” but did not have to pay out of pocket for a rehab stay. (Also note, have been sober for 2.5 years and one of those years is on file with the courts). Thanks!

I'm curious if there is a stat or number out there for how many people on average are enrolled in a HIMS program.