r/FAAHIMS

My 17 y/o son was diagnosed with adhd in maybe 3rd grade. He was medicated until around a year ago. He is doing well in school, work, sports, etc off the medication. Anyway, we learned this summer that his adhd diagnosis and having been medicated previously could prevent him from being a pilot.
We are located in South Carolina. What should our first steps be? Do we hire a hims ame for a consult? then testing?
Should we start collecting medical records now? He is interested in attending a university with for an aviation degree next fall after he graduates but we don’t want him to start a program he can’t complete if he isn’t elegible to be a pilot.

Anyone have any advice or recommendations to share?

Thanks in advance for any help or input you can offer.

Hi everyone, I'm a 19 year old college student who currently has a third class medical certificate and is attending a part 141 university. I have my PPL with IR, and will soon me starting multi engine an commercial this coming year. However, this past year, I've been dealing with a lot of constant anxiety that therapy hasn't seemed to help. It seems increasingly likely that I'm going to have to start the HIMS process for anti-anxiety meds, and I know that sooner is better. For some context, I have never been on any medication previously, and I have no alcohol or drug abuse history. I've talked to a HIMS AME briefly, and he gave me an estimate of 9 months. I will be looking to apply for a first class medical, which I am in otherwise perfect condition to receive. I'm just so lost and overwhelmed on where to begin. The AME recommended a HIMS psychiatrist but it's been radio silence from the psychiatrist. Should I do everything in my power to stay off medication (i.e. try another year of therapy)? Should I start this process now, and if so, where do I begin? What's a realistic timeline? Thank you!

TLDR, 14 years ago lost my medical because of a failed non-DOT drug test while at Embry Riddle. Gave up on flying, ended up pursuing a career in EHS/Safety. Little did I know that deep down, the flying bug never really left. Last few years just kept looking at the skies, feeling bummed that I gave up on the dream. My wife pushed me to pursue my dream. Lawyered up in January, got letters of recommendation, scheduled HIMS interview, random drug testing. June had my HIMS eval. No remarkable findings (no substance abuse/dependance). Two weeks later AME apt for deferral to FAA. August 7, the MedXpress application showed decision made. I got my 1st class medical, unrestricted. This is a dream come true. Going on vacation for two weeks, then going back to flight training (CPL/ME).

Don't give up on your dreams.

My partner and I are looking to become private pilots and we are currently trying to figure out what pain medications either of us can and can’t be prescribed. We are also wondering if there’s some that we could be prescribed but then like say we have to not take said medication for xyz days (ex: 30-90 days or what have you. Also what can we not take vs take, and I hope that we can take more than just over the counter medication. Any advice and links to your exact sources of information would be greatly appreciated and helpful. The condition that causes the pain is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), and it’s not an everyday type of pain but there are some weeks that are worse than others. Thank you all

I was kinda halfway in halfway out of wanting to go commerical so I figured I'd go through it using the typical path.

Months later having started another business that's making plenty of income for my family I am absolutely kicking myself. Wish I could go back in time and save thousands of dollars haha.

Did my HIMS EVAL, no substance abuse or dependance detected, no reservations. MedExpress done, medical appointment done. Two weeks later I checked MedExpress and it says:

Review of your application is complete. You will receive your medical certificate and correspondence with additional details via mail.

You are cautioned to abide by 14 CFR § 61.53, relating to operations during medical deficiency. Operation of aircraft is prohibited at any time new symptoms or adverse changes occur in your health status.

Refer to the Conditions of Issue attached to your medical certificate for additional guidance to include validity periods cited in 14 CFR § 61.23.

On FAA registry it says:

Medical Information:

Medical Class: First  Medical Date: 7/2026

MUST USE CORRECTIVE LENS(ES) TO MEET VISION STANDARDS AT ALL REQUIRED DISTANCES.

BasicMed Course Date:  None   BasicMed CMEC Date:  None

Is this it? Am I good?

I finally got my letter in the mail from the FAA for their initial requests. I have a rather complicated medical history and my AME and I are both shocked that they are not asking for a psychiatric evaluation.

They do want a neuropsych evaluation with the cogscreen.

Has anyone had this experience? Are they likely to come back and ask for it after the fact?

He also preemptively put me in the HIMS program from weed and psychedelic use in 2020 (high school for me) but they did not seem to want that either. Just One initial drug test within 48 hours of receiving the letter.

Halllo People of the Interwebs,
I have been doing the FAA medical dance for awhile now and I just completed my Psych Eval. It is now with the FAA. I'm just curious how long this part took others? The waiting...I already did a COGSCREEN and other stuff. I'm curious if the FAA will make me do any other dance with them haha. Will my MedxPress be updated? It's been sitting on "Denied" since I started this whole process. Best of luck everyone!!!

My HIMS AME said my medical history may warrant “multiple special issuances.”

I thought there’s only one special issuance per airman/medical history? Never heard of multiple before in this context.

(Going for Third Class.)

I am deciding to get my first class medical before even starting lessons because I have two episodes of syncope that I went to the ER for back in 2023 and another ER visit 3 months later getting diagnosed with acute vestibular neuritis and wanted to see if I could even obtain a medical certificate.

I will most likely have to send my entire medical history and the ER visit for vestibular neuritis, they drug tested me and it came back positive for "Cannabis". I was surprised because I don't smoke and never have but months later realized it could've been the Full Spectrum CBD oil I was taking orally for muscle tightness/soreness that contained 0.3% THC.

Will this be a disqualifying factor or a deferral that will require a full psych eval and 12 months of testing? I'd hate to have to go through that process because of CBD. I have never smoked marijuana in my life but I guess I have no way of proving that to the FAA either..

Phew… y’all weren’t kidding about the mental exhaustion! And man! What’s up with those 567 true/false questions!!!

Thank you everybody for the support and advice.

Has anyone had experiences with a HIMS psychiatrist they recommend? My medical was recently denied, and to submit my application for reconsideration, I need an in-person psychiatric evaluation by a HIMS psychiatrist. I'm in the northeast (New Jersey area) but willing to travel anywhere for anyone who's good, especially if they're able to get me in quickly.

Hello all, sorry if its’s been asked before or a redundant question, but does anyone have any good recommendations for a HIMS/AME in Central California? I got a dui last year, and am trying to begin my journey back in to flying. Seems the program is highly effective for those who are serious about taking care of their personal life, sobriety, and aviation as a whole.

Hey all,

I’ve got my CogScreen tomorrow and just wanted to post on here to get an idea of what to expect and any advice. Trying not to worry about the whole ordeal but this is a big deal to me as I’m sure it is for many others.

Thanks for everything so far!

Hello! My sons supplemental ADHD neuro psych assessment is next week. He has been doing all sorts of brain games, etc to try and get ready. Apparently he scored “below the FAA required score” on 8 assessments in his original testing. I can tell he is nervous (and so are we for him!). We have had him going to bed at a decent hour, limiting screen time, and keeping him active as well. Any tips of the trade so he can be as ready as he can be that you can share?

Also, this process is insane. Lol! I think the FAA knows more about him than his father and I do!

Thanks all!!