As noted in my prior blogs on this subject, the FAA, at its discretion, sometimes sends letters to pilots in reference to their aeromedical eligibility. Most of these letters are sent from the Aerospace Medical Certification Division (AMCD) in Oklahoma City. However, some such letters may be sent directly from the Federal Air Surgeon office in Washington, D.C., or from any number of the FAA regional offices.
I have discussed some of the reasons why such letters are sent to pilots, including the FAA’s request to have additional documentation on a reported medical condition. When arriving unexpectedly, and sometimes seemingly unnecessarily at first glance, this can be disconcerting to pilots, as well as their aviation medical examiners (AMEs). These letters are often referred to colloquially as “nastygrams,” which I previously discussed in detail. In reality, most of the time these letters are sent, the request by the FAA is not entirely unreasonable.
Dr. Robert Sancetta is a former DC-10 captain with 11,000 flight hours. He has worked as a Senior AME since 1993 and is appointed as AME Consultant to the FAA Federal Air Surgeon.
More In Regulations and Government
