FAA medical 2nd or 3rd class?

Question

I have recently just started flight lessons in the hopes of obtaining my PPL. However, in October of 2009 I was charged with a couple things after a party I was at got busted. First was underage drinking (MIP) and possession of marijuana.

The marijuana wasn't mine, a baggie stuffed under the couch that I was sitting at while drinking at the party. I went to court on the advice of my public defender I pleaded guilty to MIP and disorderly conduct (amended charge from poss. marijuana). I didn't want to risk taking it to trial so I went with the sure thing. 

I have wanted to fly for a while and refrained from smoking marijuana (and drinking and driving) knowing it could seriously mess up my plans to become a pilot.

I know that I'll have to disclose the both charges which is no problem. My worry is during a further investigation they'll notice that it was a disorderly conduct amended from poss. of marijuana and the FAA will think I was lying about not using "illegal substances within 2 years" on my medical application. Which could create huge problems. 

So my question is, will my circumstances create gigantic problems, and prevent my from obtaining my goals? Or am I just over complicating it and the AME will simply look at my convictions with no further investigation?

Tracy L · Accepted Answer

You really don't want the answers you will get here. 

 If you are a member of AOPA (which has student memberships free) you can call them and get PROFESSIONAL LEGAL answers!

They do have a great resource to assist with questions exactly like yours and you will get TRUE answers and not odd opinions which can well be incorrect. Once you officially submit something, even if incorrect, to an AME you have an issue.

RickH · Answer

Tracy is spot on; call AOPA and get a professional answer.

To throw my two cents worth in though, I believe that you have no issues at all.  This is the good old USA, I guess that is where you are, and charges don't mean a thing; convictions do.  Disorderly conduct means nothing to the FAA, and as for alcohol related offenses, to the best of my recollection, with alcohol they are only interested in convictions involving motor vehicles.  There may be a question about misdemeanors, and you might have to disclose, but I still wouldn't expect a problem.

On the other hand, it might seriously effect your ability to get a job with an airline someday if that is where you are headed.

Anonymous · Answer

If there is no underlying conditions due to your (over)weight, you should have no problem obtaining a third class medical certificate. The biggest problem you are going to have is finding an aircraft that is capable of carrying someone of your size. I assure you, the typical training aircraft is not going to be of sufficient size. By no means, dont let this discourage you, it can be done, however, it is going to cost you a few more bucks for the difference in price in the trainer vs. a larger,more powerful airplane. I am thinking a Cessna 182 will do the trick as it has a useful load of around 1100 lbs and a higher rated (230 or 235 HP) engine

Anonymous · Answer

I agree with Tracy. Join the AOPA, sign up for the legal coverage benefit, then get professional advice. It will be money very well spent. If you already had a student pilot certificate when that happened, or have ever held an FAA medical certificate before that happened it is goiing to be much worse than if you didn't.

Anonymous · Answer

It will create ridiculously huge problems. 

-You won't be able to fly for two years due to your perceived alcohol abuse (you didn't smoke the pot so that's no trouble). It's not illegal substances, it's substance abuse of any kind. Including under aged consumption of alcohol or the illicit consumption of prescription drugs.
-If you end up getting your pilots license getting a job with a record like that will be rather difficult. 


Sorry, man. Your life just got a LOT more complicated.
-

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FAA medical 2nd or 3rd class?

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