Robert Sancetta
AIN Contributor
Dr. Robert Sancetta is a former DC-10 captain with 11,000 flight hours. He has worked as a Senior AME since 1993 and is appointed as AME Consultant to the FAA Federal Air Surgeon.
Latest from Robert Sancetta
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Aviation Medicine in the Pandemic
There are confusing messages from the FAA on medical exams during the pandemic, but you should update your medical certificate on schedule, if possible.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Navigating Aeromed Documentation, Part 1
Pilots should tread carefully when asked to provide the FAA with documentation to facilitate review of medical conditions of potential aeromedical concern.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Diabetes and Flying
The FAA is now allowing pilots with insulin-dependent diabetes to fly in commercial ops, but it requires a special-issuance medical and ongoing testing.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: CBD and Flying
CBD is technically not prohibited, but consumption or use nonetheless carries big risks for pilots.
Safety
AINsight: When Can’t I Fly?
Are there medical circumstances when it is certain that a pilot cannot fly? Quite clearly there are, and these provisions are outlined in FAA Part 67.
Safety
AINsight: Can I Fly?
There are few hard and fast rules, so the pilot must exercise good judgment.
AINsight: Preparing for FAA Medical Exams
Pilots should approach an aeromedical appointment with common sense—make a plan and follow through.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Medications and Flying, Part Two
Pilots should rest assured that many medical conditions requiring medications are approvable by the FAA without too much complication.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Medications and Flying
There is no formal list of approved medications, as both the medication itself and the ailment are factors in whether it is approved.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Special Issuance for Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, from the standpoint of the pilot, obtaining a special issuance in the setting of sleep apnea is reasonably straightforward.
Safety
AINsight: The FAA and Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, most pilots treated for sleep apnea continue to fly without interruption.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: DUIs and Substance Treatment
The FAA's HIMS program can assist private and corporate pilots, not just airline pilots.
Safety
AINsight: Is 8 Hours Enough from Bottle to Throttle?
For pilots, being “hung over” is considered to be under the influence of alcohol, since human performance can be deteriorated.
Regulations and Government
AINsight: Pilots Beware of Prescription Opioids
Pilots should self-ground until the medical condition has improved and a reasonable time period has elapsed since taking any prescription opioids.
Safety
AINsight: A Look at the FAA's Medical Certification
A former airline pilot and Senior AME tries to make the FAA medical process less daunting.
