Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Decision Considerations - Aerospace Medical Dispositions
Item 42. Upper and Lower Extremities
The following lists the most common conditions of aeromedical significance, and course of action that should be taken by the examiner as defined by the protocol and disposition in the table. Medical certificates must not be issued to an applicant with medical conditions that require deferral, or for any condition not listed that may result in sudden or subtle incapacitation without consulting the AMCD or the RFS. Medical documentation must be submitted for any condition in order to support an issuance of an airman medical certificate.
| Disease/Condition | Class | Evaluation Data | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amputations | All | Submit a current status report to include functional status (degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports | If applicant has a SODA issued on the basis of the amputation - Issue Otherwise - Requires FAA Decision After review of all medical data, the FAA may authorize a special medical flight test |
| Atrophy of any muscles that is progressive, Deformities, either congenital or acquired, or Limitation of motion of a major joint, that are sufficient to interfere with the performance of airman duties |
All | Submit a current status report to include functional status (degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain), medication with side effects, and all pertinent medical reports | Requires FAA Decision |
| Neuralgia | All | See Neuralgia (Trigeminal Neuralgia, Post Herpetic Neuralgia) Disposition Table | See disposition table |
| Neuropathy (Peripheral Neuropathy) | All | Neuropathy Disposition Tables | See disposition table |
| Osteomyelitis, acute or chronic, with or without draining fistula(e) | All | Submit a current status report to include functional status (degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports | Requires FAA Decision |
| Sciatica, if sufficient to interfere with function or is likely to become incapacitating | All | Submit a current status report to include functional status (degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports | Requires FAA Decision |
| Tremors | All | See Tremors Disposition Table | See disposition table |
For all the above conditions: If the applicant is otherwise qualified, the FAA may issue a limited certificate. This certificate will permit the applicant to proceed with flight training until ready for a MFT. At that time, at the applicant's request, the FAA (usually the AMCD) will authorize the student pilot to take a MFT in conjunction with the regular flight test.
The MFT and regular private pilot flight test are conducted by an FAA inspector. This affords the student an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to control the aircraft despite the handicap. The FAA inspector prepares a written report and indicates whether there is a safety problem. If the airman successfully completes the MFT, a medical certificate and SODA will be sent to the airman from AMCD.
When prostheses are used or additional control devices are installed in an aircraft to assist the amputee, those found qualified by special certification procedures will have their certificates limited to require that the devices (and, if necessary, even the specific aircraft) must always be used when exercising the privileges of the airman certificate.