Part 67 Series — Special Issuance, Deferrals & Staying Legal: Navigating the FAA Medical System
For many private pilots, the most stressful part of the FAA medical process isn’t the exam itself.
It’s the what if.
What if the AME defers my application?What if I’ve had a past diagnosis?What if I develop a new condition after my medical is issued?What happens if the FAA wants more information?
If you fly small aircraft under a Third-Class medical, understanding how Part 67 works in practice ...
Flight Nerd Weekly Briefing — July 7, 2026
🎙️ 01 — COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER
This week, aviation didn't make headlines with an accident or a flashy new aircraft. It made headlines with paperwork: a milestone, a grant program, and a decommissioning notice.
None of that sounds exciting until you realize what each one actually touches. One changes how 15,000 pilots got back in the left seat. One is putting $1.776 billion into the runways and ...
Part 67 Series — Substance Use, Diabetes & “Established Medical History”: What the FAA Is Really Looking For
When most private pilots think about FAA medical certification, they picture dramatic conditions:
Heart attacks.Seizures.Major psychiatric diagnoses.
But in reality, many medical deferrals don’t start with dramatic events.
They start with everyday health issues:
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
A prescription for anxiety medication
A past DUI
A history of alcohol dependence
Under...
Flight Nerd Weekly Briefing
