Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Decision Considerations
Disease Protocols
Musculoskeletal Evaluation
The Examiner should defer issuance. An applicant with a history of musculoskeletal conditions must submit the following if consideration for medical certification is desired:
- Current status report
- Functional status report
- Degree of impairment as measured by strength, range of motion, pain
This affords the student an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to control the aircraft despite the handicap. The FAA inspector prepares a written report and indicates whether there is a safety problem. A medical certificate and statement of demonstrated ability (SODA), without the student limitation, may be provided to the inspector for issuance to the applicant, or the inspector may be required to send the report to the FAA medical officer who authorized the test.
When prostheses are used or additional control devices are installed in an aircraft to assist the amputee, those found qualified by special certification procedures will have their certificates limited to require that the device(s) (and, if necessary, even the specific aircraft) must always be used when exercising the privileges of the airman certificate.