Your visit with Dr. LaBagnara can be scheduled by appointment during regular office hours. If you have specific medical information or there has been a change in your medical condition, please bring as much information with you as possible. The examination will take approximately 30 minutes. When you make the appointment, please let us know what class of certificate you will be requesting. If you will need an electrocardiogram for a first class certificate, please let us know in advance since more time will be set aside for your examination.

Dr. LaBagnara has been a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner since 1978 and has performed over 4000 examinations and issued over 4000 medical certificates.

Are you a member AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association)? If you are not, you should be. AOPA represents all of us in general aviation regarding aviation matters. AOPA is the voice of general aviation in the media, in government and politics. AOPA protects our rights as pilots, promotes general aviation and helps protect our airports.

To become a member or to learn more about AOPA, visit www.aopa.org. The AOPA web site has a great deal of information available to you regarding medical conditions, permissible medications, and a lot more.

Sources of information include:

     Medical Updates
     Aviation Medical Examiners
     FAA Medications
     FAR Part 67
     Medical FAQ's
     Medical Statue Requests
     Medical Status Reports
     Pilot's Guide to Medical Certification
     Web links

Information is available on many medical conditions including the following:

     Arthritis
     Asthma
     Atrial fibrillation
     Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
     Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
     Colitis
     Colon cancer
     Diabetes on oral medications
     Hepatitis C
     Hyperthyroidism
     Hypothyroidism
     Glaucoma
     Hypertension
     Lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease
     Migraine headaches
     Mitral and aortic insufficiency
     Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
     Prostate cancer
     Sleep apnea
     Kidney stones

     *The use of Prozac and other antidepressants
     *Vision requirements
     *LASIK surgery
     *Color blindness and restrictions on night flying
     *Waivers (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) [SODA]
     *Special Issuance certificates
     *Cancer
     *Hay fever and allergies
     *Skin cancer
     *Hearing loss and hearing aids
     *DUI reporting

An AME is a physician in private practice that has been 'designated' by the Federal Aviation Administration, to issue medical certificates to applicants who meet certain standards. The AME is not employed by the FAA or the US government. The AME has the authority to conduct a physical examination and evaluate applicants for a medical certificate. The AME also has the authority to deny issuance of a certificate and the option of deferring issuance of a certificate to Oklahoma pending further evaluation. Your AME is your link to certification. He is the designated representative of the FAA. He must know all there is to know about your mental and physical health. Do not be reluctant to discuss any health issues you have. Your AME is really there to help you.

You are expected to be completely truthful with your AME in the process of applying for a medical certificate. Falsification of information in the application regarding your medical history can result in severe penalties and fines, since 'the consequences of a negligent certification, which would permit an unqualified person to take the controls of an aircraft, creates a threat to public safety'. Your AME is trained to recognize attempts at falsification and will likely challenge you when he sees misleading information. If you succeed in falsifying information related to the examination and any medical condition you may have, there is a good chance that this information will eventually come to light for a variety of reasons. You may be violating Federal Criminal Law. Your certificate can be revoked for falsification. You may be subject to fines of up to $250,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years.

Since pilots represent a cross section of humanity and come from all ethnic backgrounds, any medical condition, disease, or syndrome that exists in the general population, can occur in an airman. The Aeromedical Division of the FAA does not publish any text which can address each and every medical condition and the effect such a condition may have on an airman's ability to fly. Physicians in private practice are therefore designated as Aviation Medical Examiners (AME's) and have the responsibility of recognizing the relationship that your medical condition may have on your ability to fly safely.

The AOPA web site probably has information on your medical problems.

Any time there is a change in your medical condition or general health, you should advise your AME. A new medication, change in medication, recent operation, or development of a health condition, should all be conveyed to your AME or the FAA.

Many medications are approved by the FAA for a variety of medical conditions. The most comprehensive and up to date list of allowed medications is maintained by AOPA.

(www.aopa.org/members/databases/medical/search_faa_meds.cfm)

Valid through the last day of the sixth month from the date of Issuance (6 calendar months). After six months it becomes a second-class certificate; after twelve months, it reverts to a third class certificate.

Valid through the last day of the twelfth month from the date of issuance (12 calendar months). After twelve months, it reverts to a third class certificate.

Valid through the last day of the twenty fourth month from the date of Issuance (24 calendar months) if you are over 40 years of age at the time it is issued. If you are under the age of 40 years when the third class certificate is issued, the certificate is valid for 36 calendar months

Use this site to:
*Change your address
*Replace your lost or destroyed certificate
*Copy your airman medical records
*Change your airman certificate number
*Get information on the DUI/DWI program
*Search airman databases

And much more


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