Hydrocodone

[Unregistered]

Hi all,

I was in the hospital six months ago or so for appendicitis and underwent an appendectomy. I was given Hydrocodone in the hospital for the pain. I recovered quickly and did not need to take anything for pain after the surgery. I talked to my doctors that were not associated with the FAA and they said I was cleared to fly. For some reason it did not occur to me that I should also talk to an AME. I am just curious where this leaves me going forward when I have to renew my medical. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Jim Logajan]

Later that year, I went to get my medical and I dutifully reported the surgery on the form. That's when I was informed by my AME that I was supposed to report that to the FAA within (I think) 60 days. The application for medical was sent to the FAA and sure enough, I got a letter from the FAA telling me what I needed to do to be awarded a 3rd class medical. Basically it was written letters from my treating physicians stating that in their medical opinion that I was fit to the standard the FAA laid out.

I was told in no uncertain terms that I had broken an FAA reg by not reporting in the proper time frame and that I continued to fly. My AME informed me that I shoudn't worry about punishment because private pilots applying for third class medicals break this reg all the time and they kind of except it. However, had I been commercial, CFI, or ATP, they may well have gotten more nasty. They expect that level of pilot to be more versed in the FARs.

I am no AME, I'm not a doctor, and I don't study the FARs. Maybe the policy is different now than it was in 2004, maybe they have different rules for different levels of surgery, I don't know. I'm just saying what happened to me and I'm sure I still have the FAA letter if anyone really wants to see it. Maybe an AME can pop in here and straighten me out. I would love to find that they have changed the regs. It would show some good signs of reform at the FAA.

I could find nothing in Parts 61, 67, or 91 regarding such a reporting requirement. 61.53 would have been the most logical place for such a reporting requirement.

There was a change in 2004 to 61.53 but I believe it involved the addition of light sport material.

The only 60 day reporting requirement that I'm aware of is related to motor vehicle actions per 61.15 (involving drugs.) There is also the 30 day change of address reporting requirement.

If you still have the letter and can see what regulation it cites that would be helpful.