AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - April 2015 - 102

NEWS & NOTES
PILOT PROTECTION SERVICES

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Aggravating questions
What you need to know about
18(v) on FAA 8500-8
THE 8500-8 IS THE FAA's medical history and physical
examination form. Question 18(v) has caused airmen more
aggravation than most other questions on the FAA medical
history. This is the question that asks for a yes or no response
if the airman has a history of arrests, convictions, or administrative actions involving driving while intoxicated by, or
while under the influence of, alcohol or a drug. An improper
response to this question results in the number one enforcement action in the FAA legal realm.
An airman must notify AMC-700, the FAA's Security
Division in Oklahoma City, within 60 days of a conviction,
suspension, or administrative action regarding driving under
the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to 14 CFR 61.15(e).
In these cases, airmen also must check yes to question 18(v)
when they complete their next online medical application.
Be sure to read the small print above the final signature
block on the medical history side (item 20). By signing the
form with your email address, you are verifying that everything you have indicated on the form is true and correct, and
you are granting the FAA permission for a single search of
the National Driver Registry.
When the medical application is processed at the FAA
and there is a report of a DUI on the application, the file is
matched against the 61.15 security database. If this shows
that the FAA Security Division was not notified within the
60-day time period, the FAA will take action against all of
the pilot's certificates. Pilots who have been arrested and

INSURANCE SERVICES

BY DR. WARREN O. SILBERMAN

AOPA Pilot Protection Services

undergone a field sobriety test, along with a breathalyzer
request, should obey both requirements. Pilots should not
refuse to submit to breathalyzer testing if they are arrested
for suspicion of DUI, because the FAA looks at a refusal as
equivalent to a DUI.
If the blood alcohol level was 0.15 percent or above, the
AME must defer issuance of the medical certificate and the
airman will be asked to provide a substance abuse evaluation. If the evaluator determines that the airman does not
have a substance dependence or abuse problem, the FAA
will clear the airman and issue the medical certificate. If the
evaluation suggests other problems, additional evaluation
will be needed before the FAA can determine the airman's
eligibility for certification.
The FAA maintains a database, and it knows exactly how
many events an airman has had. The more substance-related
legal actions, the more involved the evaluation.
Dr. Warren O. Silberman is the former manager of FAA
Aerospace Medical Certification and a doctor of osteopathic
medicine. A pilot since 1986, he is recognized nationally as
an expert in aerospace/preventive medicine, and is a regular
writer for AOPA's Pilot Protection Services.

ON THE

WEB

To learn more about AOPA
Pilot Protection Services, visit the
website (www.aopa.org/pps).

AOPA MEMBER LOVES HIS AIRCRAFT
WHEN IT CAME TIME TO INSURE his 1976 Cessna 150 and 1965 Piper
Comanche 260, Bob Bagwell, an AOPA member for 20 years, says,
"I chose AOPA Insurance because AOPA is the largest and best
group of pilot representatives who are working to keep my flying
rights protected and promoted. Their rates are also very competitive. They were very upfront and timely in responses and were
kind to me over the phone. I would strongly encourage other pilots
to give them a fair shake and help support AOPA."
Whether you fly low and slow aircraft or a faster, more complex

102 | AOPA PILOT April 2015

airplane, AOPA Insurance has the right policy for you. For more information or a quick quote on aircraft insurance, talk to AOPA Insurance.
To learn more or to apply for a policy, visit the website (www.aopa
insurance.org) or call 800-622-2672. Don't forget: You may qualify for
a 5-percent discount just for being an AOPA member.

http://www.aopa.org/pps http://www.aopa.org/pps http://www.aopainsurance.org http://www.aopainsurance.org

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - April 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - April 2015