Aviation program

[Anonymous]

DS is interested in learning how to fly. He has asd and adhd, and he is high functioning. He is interested in learning how to fly those small plane and do those flight simulator training tests. He says it is so much fun. Are special need kids disqualified to get in this field when it comes to school training or later certification? Possible to do that as a career or as an interest?

[Anonymous]

Stimulant meds are a disqualifier for an FAA medical certification.

[Anonymous]

As are many anxiety medications. FAA has approved a few though.

That being said, he can obtain a Sport Pilot license. You have to be careful in how you do this. He will need his driver's license and he cannot have failed an FAA Medical Exam (so don't take him for one!). Sport pilots do not need a medical but you can't qualify if you've failed. The schools that offer Sport Pilot training follow the same curriculum as for PPLs so it's just as hard but you get around the medical disqualification. He will not be able to progress beyond Sport though whereas a PPL is the first step of many. If he wants do fly as a hobby, this great. If he wants to be a commercial pilot, the medications will be a challenge.

Recently, the FAA has started to review applications if you have been off of stimulates for 3 years (I think--it could be 5). The challenge here is that to be reviewed you have to have an FAA Medical. If you fail, you can't get the Sport license either.