Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your FAA questions.
You can call or write:
Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300
Federal Aviation Administration
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
P.O. Box 25082
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
(405) 954-4821
You can also contact the Regional Flight Surgeons' offices.
First, you will need to verify that you have the Excel "Analysis Toolpak". If you don't, click the "File" tab, then click "Options", and then click the "Add-Ins" category. In the "Manage" box, select "Excel Add-Ins", then click "Go", then in the "Add-Ins available" box, select the "Analysis ToolPak" check box. Click "OK" and then perform the following steps:
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List all of the safety-sensitive employees' identifying numbers (e.g., social security number, employee ID number, etc.) in Column A.
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Click on the "Data" tab, then click "Data Analysis", and the Data Analysis dialogue box will open.
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Enter the following information in the Data Analysis dialogue box:
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In "Input Range", enter the spreadsheet location for all the safety-sensitive employee identifying numbers. For example, A2:A101.
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Under "Sampling Method", select "Random". For "Number of Samples", enter the number of employees that should be tested this quarter.
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Under "Output options", select "New Worksheet Ply". In the box to the right, name the new worksheet "Random Selection List."
4. Click "OK".
5. A new worksheet will be created called "Random Selection List". It will contain the identifying numbers of the employees who have been selected for this quarter.
If you have any further questions or need additional guidance that is more specific to your situation, please contact the FAA Drug Abatement Division at 202-267-8442 or drugabatement@faa.gov.
Please visit our website to learn more about our program.
As an employer, you are responsible for the actions of your service agents, which includes the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). You must ensure any individual you hire or return to duty after a drug or alcohol violation is evaluated by a DOT-qualified SAP that meets all the requirements under 49 CFR part 40, subpart O.
You must ensure the SAP provided you with a written initial and follow-up evaluation that includes the information outlined in 49 CFR § 40.311. For more information about what must be included in the written reports, please review the Department of Transportation’s SAP Guidelines. If information is missing, you must contact the SAP directly to request a corrected report.
The SAP must provide you with a follow-up testing plan that directs the number and frequency for testing, which must include a minimum of six unannounced tests within the first 12 months following the employee’s return to safety-sensitive functions. The SAP may direct follow-up testing for a period of up to 5 years. If the SAP recommends less than six tests in the first 12 months, directs a frequency that is not spread throughout the first 12 months, or the plan is confusing, you must contact the SAP directly to request clarification or a corrected plan.
It is important to remember that an employer is not obligated to return an individual to work following a drug or alcohol violation. However, if you decide that you want to permit an employee to return to work, you must ensure they have met the requirements with a DOT-qualified SAP, you obtain copies of the initial and follow-up evaluation reports, you have a negative return-to-duty test, and you conduct or verify that all the follow-up testing is completed based on the SAP’s directions.
If you discover you missed a follow-up test or a previous employer did not complete all of the follow-up testing directed by the SAP, you must conduct the missing test(s) or restart the program in accordance with 49 CFR § 40.307(e). You must document the actions you take to fix any errors in the follow-up testing, and we encourage you to contact the FAA’s Drug Abatement Division at drugabatement@faa.gov for assistance. You may consult the SAP if you are unsure about how to fix the error. If a SAP changes the follow-up testing plan, you should obtain the changes in writing. If you discovered you made errors in the follow-up testing program, you are encouraged to report the issues under the Drug Abatement Division’s Voluntary Disclosure Reporting Program outlined in FAA Advisory Circular 120-117.
If you have any further questions or need additional guidance that is more specific to your situation, please contact the FAA’s Drug Abatement Division at (202) 267-8442 or drugabatement@faa.gov.
Please visit our website to learn more about our program.
Applicable Regulations:
49 CFR § 40.11(b)
49 CFR part 40, subpart O
49 CFR § 40.307(e)
49 CFR § 40.311
14 CFR § 120.103(c)
14 CFR § 120.109(f)
14 CFR § 120.217(f)
You must call the airline to find out if they allow pets in the passenger cabin. Please visit our website for more information about flying with pets.
You can search for names of FAA-certificated pilots and mechanics on our Airmen Inquiry Site.
If you don’t have enough information to conduct a search, contact your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
The Privacy Act limits the amount of information that may be publicly released.
You can search for names of FAA certificated pilots and mechanics on our Airmen Inquiry Site.
If you don’t have enough information to conduct a search, contact your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
The Privacy Act limits the amount of information that may be publicly released.
A list of Knowledge Testing Centers is available.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
You can find information to replace your lost or destroyed knowledge test report on our website.
For additional information, please email our Civil Aviation Registry.
You can find the TCDS for an aircraft on our website.
You can also contact your nearest Flight Standards District Office, Aircraft Certification Office, or Manufacturing Inspection District Office.
Under the Small UAS Rule (part 107), operators must pass an aeronautical knowledge test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. This test will quiz prospective operators on how to use aeronautical charts to determine airspace classifications.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
Over the past 3 years, the number of denials of third-class airman medical certificates has ranged from approximately 2000 to 2500 per year based on approximately 135,000 to 140,000 applications for third-class airman medical certification per year. Most of these denials resulted because of a failure of the applicants to provide sufficient information for the FAA to make a favorable decision.
The FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 required the agency to separate Track 1 applicants into multiple selection pools based upon educational background and veteran status. Pool 1 - Collegiate Training Initiative (CTI) School graduates and Veteran’s with aviation experience. Pool 2 is all United States citizens; Veterans Preference is applied to both pools are required to balance selections between Pools.
Visit Applying for Federal Jobs with FAA for more information. Learn more about Direct Hiring Authorities if you are a veteran or a person with a targeted disability.
Waivers are special permissions the FAA issues to authorize certain types of UAS or drone operations not covered under the Part 107 rule. Learn more about applying for waivers to Part 107.
Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.
You can find regulations for agriculture aircraft operations (14 CFR Part 137) on the Government Printing Office's Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Be sure to select Part 137.
For information regarding the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, please visit the Transportation Security Administration's website.
For information regarding the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, please visit the Transportation Security Administration's website.
For information regarding the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, please visit the Transportation Security Administration's website.
Any domestic physician interested in becoming an AME should contact the applicable FAA Regional Flight Surgeon's (RFS) office listed for your area.