Robert Sancetta
AIN Contributor
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.
Latest from Robert Sancetta
Regulations and Government
AINsight: FAA Aeromedical Letters, Part 3
In the third of a three-part blog series, AME Dr. Robert Sancetta discusses various types of FAA aeromedical approval letters.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: CBD Revisited
Despite medical claims, pilots should avoid CBD products entirely.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: FAA Letters, Part 2
There is no time for pilots to delay action if they receive a letter from the FAA asking for additional medical intervention. Act immediately!
Regulations and Government
AINsight: FAA Aeromedical Letters, Part 1
Not all letters from the FAA are bad. Many of the medical-related ones the agency sends are approvals after a condition has been reviewed.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: More Tips for a Successful FAA Medical Exam
Pilots can avoid turbulence at their FAA medical exam by providing pertinent medical information to the AME ahead of the visit.
Aircraft
AINsight: Energy Drinks and Flying
Do your research on what you consume because energy drinks are unregulated and the impact of use are raising concern.
AINsight: Atrial Fibrillation in Pilots
The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats), while disqualifying for pilots, is usually approvable through the special issuance process.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Tell the AME
It is important for pilots to tell AMEs about any new medical diagnoses or prescribed medication before their next exam.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Covid-19 Vaccination Updates
The pause on the J&J vaccination appears prudent since we must understand risk before making decisions on its use.
Training and Workforce
AINsight: Covid and Influenza Updates for Pilots
There are some encouraging signs that both the number of cases and the burden of serious disease and deaths due to Covid is finally beginning to decline.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Update on FAA Policies During the Pandemic
The FAA’s medical policies during the Covid-19 pandemic remain a moving target, but with vaccines we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: ‘Expedite My Case, Please’
Any pilot grounded while awaiting an FAA review of their medical documents is understandably anxious. Everyone wants their case reviewed ASAP.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Aviation Medicine in the Pandemic, Part 3
The pandemic has made navigating viation medical certificate issues more difficult.
AINsight: Aviation Medicine in the Pandemic, Part 2
The Covid-19 pandemic is clearly having impacts on the aviation medical segment.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Aviation Medicine in the Pandemic
There are confusing messages from the FAA on medical exams during the pandemic, but you should update your medical certificate on schedule, if possible.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Navigating Aeromed Documentation, Part 1
Pilots should tread carefully when asked to provide the FAA with documentation to facilitate review of medical conditions of potential aeromedical concern.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Diabetes and Flying
The FAA is now allowing pilots with insulin-dependent diabetes to fly in commercial ops, but it requires a special-issuance medical and ongoing testing.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: CBD and Flying
CBD is technically not prohibited, but consumption or use nonetheless carries big risks for pilots.
Safety
AINsight: When Can’t I Fly?
Are there medical circumstances when it is certain that a pilot cannot fly? Quite clearly there are, and these provisions are outlined in FAA Part 67.
Safety
AINsight: Can I Fly?
There are few hard and fast rules, so the pilot must exercise good judgment.
AINsight: Preparing for FAA Medical Exams
Pilots should approach an aeromedical appointment with common sense—make a plan and follow through.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Medications and Flying, Part Two
Pilots should rest assured that many medical conditions requiring medications are approvable by the FAA without too much complication.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Medications and Flying
There is no formal list of approved medications, as both the medication itself and the ailment are factors in whether it is approved.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Special Issuance for Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, from the standpoint of the pilot, obtaining a special issuance in the setting of sleep apnea is reasonably straightforward.
Safety
AINsight: The FAA and Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, most pilots treated for sleep apnea continue to fly without interruption.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: DUIs and Substance Treatment
The FAA's HIMS program can assist private and corporate pilots, not just airline pilots.
Safety
AINsight: Is 8 Hours Enough from Bottle to Throttle?
For pilots, being “hung over” is considered to be under the influence of alcohol, since human performance can be deteriorated.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Pilots Beware of Prescription Opioids
Pilots should self-ground until the medical condition has improved and a reasonable time period has elapsed since taking any prescription opioids.
Safety
AINsight: A Look at the FAA's Medical Certification
A former airline pilot and Senior AME tries to make the FAA medical process less daunting.
