In a June 2025 video posted in the FAA’s “Pilot Minute” series, Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup discusses new tips pilots can use to speed up the process of their medical certification.
Medical
According to the FAA, I should be in a nursing home
I’ve spent thousands of dollars out of pocket. I’ve met every demand the FAA has made and still they keep moving the goalposts. At this point, it feels less like a medical process and more like a war of attrition. The FAA, it seems, is simply hoping I’ll give up.
MedXpress upgraded
Upgrades have been made to the FAA’s MedXpress website to assist pilots in preparing for their next visit with an aviation medical examiner (AME).
The #2 reason people quit flight training
The #2 reason people quit flight training might be a surprise to most people.
Aviation advocates welcome approval of pilot mental wellness legislation
The bill directs the FAA to revise regulations for mental health disclosure and treatment, with the aim of removing barriers to mental wellness services and updating archaic policies surrounding mental health disclosures.
FAA withdraws controversial medical denial policy
The changes, initially scheduled to go into effect in January 2025, would have replaced the longstanding practice of deferring incomplete medical applications to immediate denials of the medicals.
Will testosterone meds affect your medical certificate?
In the latest video in the Pilot Minute series from the FAA, Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, MPH explains how different medications prescribed for low testosterone may affect the status of your medical certificate.
FAA postpones controversial change to medicals
A proposal to immediately issue denials for incomplete medical applications has been postponed, with the FAA slating a “listening session” to get feedback before making any decisions.
Pilot Minute: What’s in a name?
In the latest episode of the FAA’s video series Pilot Minute, Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, explains how certification delays caused by a name error can be avoided by checking the MedXPress entry against your official government issued identification.