Frequently asked questions

Dr. Brown wants you to pass your medical exam. As a physician and pilot based in Snohomish, who also owns aircraft, Dr. Brown understands how important flying is to you. The goal is for you to leave the office with your FAA Medical Certificate in hand whenever possible. If you encounter any problems, Dr. Brown will work with you, the FAA, and your personal physician to resolve them and get you back in the air.

The primary goal of the airman medical certification program is to protect not only those who would exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate but also air travelers and the general public.

An FAA medical certificate is required to fly at any stage in your aviation training and career.

To obtain your medical certificate, you must be examined by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) like Dr. Brown.

You MUST complete FAA Form 8500-8 online via the FAA's MedXPress system at https://medxpress.faa.gov BEFORE arriving for your exam. Once completed, you must submit the questionnaire electronically to obtain a CONFIRMATION NUMBER. Dr. Brown will need this number to start your exam and cannot proceed without it.

Keep your confirmation number private until you are physically at the appointment with the AME who will perform your exam. Do not give it in advance to another AME’s office for a backup appointment. Sharing the number allows that office to import your application; once imported elsewhere, Dr. Brown cannot access it, proceed with your exam, or issue your certificate until the situation is resolved.

Contact the AME’s office that imported your application and ask them to coordinate with the FAA to resolve the case before your appointment with Dr. Brown. Before your visit, use Ask Dr. Brown to send Dr. Brown a message and include your cell phone number. Dr. Brown cannot access an application imported by another office, proceed with your exam, or issue your certificate until the situation is resolved. You may need a new MedXPress application and confirmation number after the FAA resolves the existing case; do not assume you can simply start another application while it remains imported. The other office should obtain the FAA’s current instructions for handling the incomplete examination. FAA guidance: https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_process/app_review/item62

1. Log in to MedXPress. If it's your first exam, request a new account and get the temporary password from your email. You will be asked to login again, then complete FAA Form 8500-8. 2. For Item 19 (Visits to Health Professional), you only need to list each physician once; then you can summarize more than one visit to that physician in 'Remarks'. 3. Submit the completed form to get a Confirmation Number. You will need to re-enter your password. 4. Record this number and bring it to your appointment. It's helpful, but not essential, to print the form which will have the Confirmation Number printed at the bottom of the form.

You will need details of all physician visits within the past 3 years (name, address, dates, reason for visit) for Question #19. Multiple visits to one physician require only a single entry with an explanation. Estimates of total flying time are acceptable (you do not need to bring your logbook).

If you have previously checked a box for a condition in question 18 (a-w), you should check it again on all subsequent forms. If you have previously reported it and there's no change, you may simply type 'PRNC' (Previously Reported No Change) in the explanation field. Do not omit previously reported conditions.

If you are on ANY prescription medications, please message Dr. Brown at Ask Dr. Brown before your medical exam and include your cell phone number. Some medications may render you ineligible or require further documentation. Be prepared to list the name (brand/generic), dosage, and how it's taken. The FAA will not approve medications affecting mental status.

1. Your MedXPress Confirmation Number. 2. Your most recent corrective lenses (glasses/contacts) if you wear them. 3. If you have a Special Issuance, bring ALL required medical reports AND the Special Issuance Authorization Letter. 4. A list of current medications. 5. Be prepared to provide a urine specimen to test. In other words: Don't urinate right before you arrive.

The exam includes height/weight, blood pressure/heart rate, vision screening (distance, near, intermediate if applicable), color vision testing (if required), a hearing test (conversational voice), and a urine specimen (testing for glucose and protein, NOT drugs). An EKG/ECG is required for First-Class at age 35 and annually after 40. The physical exam inspects head, face, ears, oral cavity, abdomen, back, extremities and listens to heart, lungs, abdomen, which requires placing a stethoscope around the breasts and palpation of the abdomen; it does not include breast, genital, or rectal exams. Applicants do not need to disrobe, but the physicians needs to look at the skin of the chest, abdomen, back and extremities for surgical scars or signs of current or past medical problems.

A typical exam is a stress-free experience and takes no more than 30 to 60 minutes, depending on medical issues that need clarification.

First Class (e.g., Airline Transport Pilots): Under 40: valid 1 year, then drops. Age 40+: valid 6 months, then drops. Requires ECG at 35, then annually over 40. Vision: 20/20 distant, 20/40 intermediate (if over 50), 20/40 near. Second Class (e.g., Commercial Pilots): Valid 1 year, then drops. Vision: 20/20 distant, 20/40 intermediate (if over 50), 20/40 near. Third Class (e.g., Private/Student Pilots): Under 40: valid 5 years. Age 40+: valid 2 years. Vision: 20/40 distant and near. All classes require adequate depth perception, conversational voice test, and color vision test (CCVT for first-timers/specific upgrades).