Declare these or conceal?

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polkadanceparty@reddit

You said yourself you’ve never been diagnosed . Could be from anything ..rough wipe out on a bike when you were 12..

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

Haha, yeah I was considering it but idk if any experienced AME would fall for faded scratches on the inside of my arm from a bike accident I have a few more months before the medical so I will consider it though thanks

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Emotional-Ebb9390@reddit

I've never had an AME examine me that closely.

Truth gets you no where in this world. Loyalty gets you no where. Most people will screw you over to earn themselves a buck. Important life lessons you should take with you everywhere

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PowwowPuffer@reddit

I think the point is that, they can't say it's cutting scars unless you tell them. There's no history. You could literally say "I don't know"

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RichardInaTreeFort@reddit

This is the way. I do not recall. I honestly have scars on my body larger than that that I honestly do not remember the story behind.

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hawker1172@reddit

There is 0 way to prove what that is

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shockadin1337@reddit

just wear a long shirt

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Cheap-Session-900@reddit

I was in a motorcycle wreck that did leave scars very similar to these on my elbow through my riding jacket.

A lot of woodworking tools can leave similar scars.

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iiTool@reddit

Being absolutely 100% honest cost me a career flying. A youthfully indiscretion if you will. If it was truly a teenage phase then best left in the past. I still got to fly but only ppl and spent many years jumping through hoops getting a medical... First solo at 40hrs! They take everything literally regardless of how things are now.... Rough wipe out on a bike if they ask...

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Jon8502@reddit

Not an AME or Fed, just a United States ATP. I wouldn't say anything; In 19 years of flying I've never been asked about my mental state or had my body inspected. If you have any concerns wear long sleeves, get a tattoo over it, or both.

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

Isn't a skin check routine for a class 1 med

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Jon8502@reddit

Again in 19 years of flying the most I've ever done for a 1st class is piss in a cup, do an eye test, and once did a hearing test. If there's something that says a skin check is mandatory, Id wager most doctors satisfy that through a quick glance at your face to see if it's any off color indicating some underlying medical condition. This is the type of situation where it's beneficial to shop around for your AME, preferably one that doesn't ask too many questions, a real "pilot's AME" who's interest is keeping you flying rather than finding a reason to ground you. Look at reviews for AME's in your area and see what people say about them. Again I'm only speaking for the United States, idk what it's like anywhere else if that's applicable to you

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RavenholdIV@reddit

The fuck? So why the hell am I always taking my shirt off at mine? So they can look at my tits???

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Jon8502@reddit

If you're not joking that's actually wild, find a new doc

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unable_compliance@reddit

Funnily enough I held dual CASA (aus) and FAA medicals for a while (thought I was moving to the US for work, long story) and my CASA DAME is also an FAA AME.

The most thorough I have ever seen him be in the ~12 years I’ve been seeing him was when he did my initial FAA. It was like he was a completely different doctor.

Suddenly this doctor that knows my history is commenting on my tattoos and my lack of tonsils.

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

If you don't mind do you remember what your initial CASA medical was like, and if they use high intensity flashlights to inspect skin or if there is a skin inspection at all.

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JohannLandier75@reddit

They have never inspected my skin in 20 years

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unable_compliance@reddit

It was pretty standard and comparable to the renewals - no skin checks. But. This was 20 years ago (yikes) and I have no idea if the process for an initial is any different now.

Even though my doctor was more thorough for the FAA initial I did 2 years ago, he still didn’t do a skin check.

I know you said in a different comment on this post you had your eyes on a middle eastern carrier - but tattoos and long sleeves are still a viable option in that part of the world. Theres a captain at my company with lots of ink, he worked in the UAE until covid and had no issues with it.

But like everyone else in this post has said, glad you survived the drop bear attack.

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Best_Station_7576@reddit

For my class 2 nothing related to skin was involved at all

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frijoles84@reddit

Never had anyone look at my skin

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Obvious_Noise@reddit

Wait so why’d my AME grab my balls last time?

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frijoles84@reddit

I’m jealous. I ask for the prostate check and it’s always denied

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

so as long as you dont declare them on the form asking for existing scars they don't really check? assuming there is a form, its going to be my first medical and im js paranoid my career would end before it starts because of a teen phase

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corenfa@reddit

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/applicant%20history.pdf

Page 9. If you were never diagnosed with a mental condition, none of it matters. When they ask for a “history“ self diagnosis doesn’t count.

I’m not telling you to not disclose or to lie or anything like that. All that’s on you!

My experience is similar to others that have posted. Save for this: I have once been asked to take off my shirt and underwent a visible examination. But in all the other times, it’s been blood pressure, eye chart, ekg (once a year for us oldies) and pee in a cup. In between all of those, there’s some banter about what’s been going on and how I like flying and anything new in my life.

Search out your local area, and your expanded area, for “good” Ame’s. A little research will illuminate your path.

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

Thanks a lot I can only hope a similar guideline applies to all other national regulatory bodies

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Acquilas@reddit

I also just did my initial Class 1 med (UK) and no skin check. I did blood, breathalyser, drug swab, blood pressure, piss in a cup, ECG, hearing, vision, then general weight, height, mobility, etc. AME asked me questions about if I ever felt suicidal etc but didn't look at my skin at all. Except for me doing jumping jacks in my underwear, he probably saw skin then.

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ComancheNut@reddit

I usually get asked if I have any scars or “new scars” so they can document them for body verification if anything happens one day but I’ve never actually be checked. You may need to pull an arm out of your sleeve for the blood pressure cuff but that’s about it.

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Jwylde2@reddit

Chances are they probably won’t even notice them

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LowValueAviator@reddit

What even are those? There's no requirement to declare scars.

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

It sounds like this is not a thing with the FAA from all the comments, I'm sure it is with other aviation regulating bodies such as the GCAA though since it's a matter of concern in a lot of employers such as Emirates and Qatar

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LowValueAviator@reddit

You have to have perfect skin to fly for a gulf carrier as a pilot? Crazy.

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Full-Bear3756@reddit

are we deadass

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StrongWork_@reddit

Working on old cars can cause a lot of linear cuts. Did you work on a lot of old cars with your uncle?

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flapsnslats98@reddit

Nasty cat scratches you got there

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saml01@reddit

They'd be more concerned if it was down the road.

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saml01@reddit

Prison tic tac toe?

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JS150000@reddit

A comprehensive body inspection isn’t a part of the process. Just cover it and don’t mention and you’ll be fine.

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Reddibaut@reddit

Are you the meower ?

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AHappySnowman@reddit

The ame really doesn’t care about scars from a cat attack.

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Decent_Taro_2358@reddit

Glad you survived that bear attack.

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0621Hertz@reddit

We got Hugh Glass up in here!

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ts737@reddit

I have thicker scars from playing with my dog

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fly-guy@reddit

First rule at an AME, shut up....

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Gloomy-Employment-72@reddit

Bar fight in Tijuana after El Guapo pulled a knife on you.

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Friendly-Gur-6736@reddit

I have a couple of small scars from injuries that were present when I first got a medical \~25 years ago.

US AME I talked to at the time said they asked in case they needed to ID you. Mine were minor enough that he said it probably wouldn't matter either way.

My take, if that's all the question is, and you have no formal diagnosis, then from the perspective of the application I wouldn't open that can of worms. Medicals are mostly about covering the butt of the certifying agencies and safety of the public is a distant second.

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Main_Violinist_3372@reddit

Crazy stretch marks!

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Flying4Pizza@reddit

You had a cat that used you as a scratch post.

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Otrkorea@reddit

I think cat is a good explanation. Grumpy cats are very common. Accidents with plate glass are less so.

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mexicannascar@reddit

I genuinely have a couple of scars like this from my cat

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hidef3@reddit

Your first time flying a drone didn’t go so well.

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Oohsam@reddit

Why would you even ask this or put it online.

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

because i wanna know if my scars are major enough to declare or im bringing unnecessary trouble for myself

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Sharp-Beyond2077@reddit

Ooofff scratched yourself climbing a fence when you were young eh?

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1202burner@reddit

Yeah I remember that day when you wiped out on your dirt bike while we were hauling ass through the woods.

Your arm took a pretty nasty scrape across the ground.

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andrewrbat@reddit

I bet the other guy looks worse

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twolfhawk@reddit

That cat really got you those 10 years ago.

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ts737@reddit

I have thicker scars from playing with my dog, maybe could be sus because they're all parallel but

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Krysocks@reddit

cats are a piece of work sometimes especially young

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ResponsibilityOld164@reddit

A friend has them and never declared them, just the depression diagnosis, and is flying on a first class medical… but I don’t even think there’s an area to declare on the 1cm app. YRMV

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HotCompany8499@reddit

Sorry to hear about your freak lumberjack accident

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Ok-Answer-6951@reddit

I see nothing...

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MoobsBoobs@reddit

Time for a tattoo

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Delicious-Thought-92@reddit (OP)

Tattoos would generally block off any opportunities in middle eastern carriers as they are frowned upon, even more than scars from what I've heard

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haveanairforceday@reddit

Risk the middle east jobs or risk all the jobs?

Also, long sleeves

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Yotankow@reddit

Those God damn chuppacabras are brutal this time of year. Glad you made it out in one piece

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DisregardLogan@reddit

Idk what you’re talking about. Falling off your bike into the woods is a pretty scary thing, though.

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RetardedChimpanzee@reddit

Plate glass windows are scary things, glad it shattering didn’t tear you up too bad.

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glassersies@reddit

That’s a knarly dog bite!

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AutoModerator@reddit

Hi, I'm a bot and it looks like you're asking a question about medical issues: diagnosed.

Medicals can be confusing and even scary, we get it. Unfortunately, the medical process is very complex with many variables. It's too complex, in fact, for any of us to be able to offer you any specific help or advice.

We strongly suggest you discuss your concerns with a qualified aviation medical examiner before you actually submit to an official examination, as a hiccup in your medical process can close doors for you in the future. Your local AME may be able to provide a consultation. Other places that may provide aeromedical advice include: AOPA, EAA, the Mayo Clinic, and Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.

For reference, here is a link to the FAA's Synopsis of Medical Standards and for more in-depth information here is a link to the FAA's Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners.

Also, feel free to browse our collection of past medical write-ups and questions in our FAQ.

Finally, we suggest you read the instructions on the medical application very closely. Do not volunteer information that isn't asked for, but also do not lie. Some people may urge you to omit pertinent information, or even outright lie, on your medical application in order to avoid added hassle and expense in obtaining a medical certificate. Know that making false statements on your medical application is a federal crime and that people have been successfully prosecuted for it. But for heaven's sake, don't tell the FAA any more than you absolutely have to.

If you're not in the United States, the above advice is still generally correct. Just substitute the FAA with your local aviation authority.

Good luck!

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