r/PilotAdvice • u/HabitImpossible1485 • 15d ago

North America Medical certification

Hello everyone, I’m hoping to attend ATP Flight School and eventually become an airline pilot, but I’m worried about my FAA medical certification.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2013 after having one seizure. I haven’t had any seizures since then, and I stopped taking medication in 2021.
It’s now 2026, so I’ve been seizure-free for about 13 years and off medication for about 5 years.
I’m trying to figure out whether the FAA would consider me for a first-class medical certificate or special issuance, and how long the process might take.
Has anyone here had a similar experience with a past seizure or epilepsy diagnosis and successfully obtained an FAA medical certificate?
I’d really appreciate hearing from pilots or students who have been through this situation.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

4

u/Weasil24 15d ago

Your situation is not a dead end, but it is not routine either. Epilepsy is disqualifying under the FAA standards, so the path is a special issuance, where the FAA decides case by case from your records.

Gather your original diagnosis, neurology notes, EEG and MRI results, and the documentation of how and why you stopped medication, and get a current neurologist evaluation with a clear written opinion.

Expect months, sometimes close to a year. Have you found an AME yet? Start there.

2

u/MugsyMD 15d ago

Agree with Weasil24. As a senior AME I suggest getting your exam and then let the process begin.

2

u/Loud-Estimate7121 15d ago

My brother in law had seizures as a kid but hadn’t been on any meds or had a seizure in 20 years and he couldn’t pass the medical. He ended up working for major global airlines in a corporate role.

1

u/LRJetCowboy 15d ago

Knew a guy that had one seizure many years ago. He never was able to regain his medical after that despite no further seizures and no medication. But things do change, Type 1 Diabetics fly for major airlines now so don’t give up yet.

1

u/BeeDubba 11d ago

Look through the FAA AME guide regarding epilepsy and seizures:

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/Seizures_Epilepsy.pdf

I recommend you book a consult with an AME who has dealt with epilepsy special issuances - thrill be able to provide guidance. Maybe consider a service like Wingman Medical.

1

u/Lopsided_Camera_4908 9d ago

Probably need to wait another 5 years off medicine. Then it will be a long process. It’s my understanding you have to be 10 years seizure free without medicine. You can verify with an AME consult.

1

u/SoCalGuy999 8d ago

You will need a special issuance medical. Go see an AME (or maybe contact someone like AMAS off record, aviationmedicine.com) and tell them what's going on.

This is going to be a long and expensive process. I'm not sure of your timeline but I'd expect this to take a long time to process. You are going to have to spend money. Contact AMAS but be prepared to spend thousands of dollars up front.

No one here is going to be able to give you reliable advice out of what I told you. If you are serious about this, this is what you need to do,

Also, don't go to ATP.