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medical application. The box of death, Box 18, on the 8500 is horribly drafted – an airman must be an attor- ney or a doctor to answer question 18. To demonstrate how absurd it is, question 18 asks an airman if he or she has ever, in his or her entire life, suffered from ‘stomach trouble’ or ‘mental disorders of any sort.’ Box 18 also asks if an airman has ever been diagnosed with ‘alcohol dependence or abuse,’ and those terms aren’t even clinically rec- ognized anymore!”
Because FAA
regulations are so antiquated, owner-
operators have a warranted and justifiable fear of reporting mental health treatment...”
Outside of being proac- tive towards addressing their mental and physical issues as soon as they arise, LoRusso has a request for fellow pilots.
“The big thing is to make pilots aware of what is happening in the medical world. Because it’s never an issue until it’s an issue. And it’s never a concern until you are going through it, at which time it becomes a very real concern. So, all pi- lots need to be aware of the medical landscape and de- mand better from the FAA. And the only way we can get change coming into a reau- thorization year is for pilots
LoRusso added, “Once
the application is revamped,
the FAA needs to shift to-
ward a system that recognizes and rewards direct clinical treatment. At present, the FAS office frequently disregards the opinions of a treating professional and defers to the opinions of its own doctors who have never personally seen or treated the airman.”
to knock on the door of their representatives and say that they feel what is going on is unacceptable.” Furthermore, proactive representation and advocacy by an aviation law professional who understands the needs of regular pilots is vital in keeping your medical certificate valid.
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April 2023 / TWIN & TURBINE • 19