FAA Grants Permission for Pilots to take Anti-Depressants

I was searching on Google tonight, for FAA Grants that may be available, when I came across the following news article. I was a bit blown away:

http://topnews.us/content/215183-faa-grants-permission-depressed-pilots-fly-medication

I was so surprised by this, I decided to go to the FAA Web site to cross check this. I found a press release confirming this was true:

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=11293

Note that as it pertains to FAR Title 14 CFR part 61.53 (Prohibition of Operations During Medical Deficiencies), the FAA does not publish a list of approved medications. Usually it is the condition being treated which determines approval. In fact the FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners states that "Maintaining a published a list of acceptable medications is labor intensive and in the final analysis only partially answers the certification question and does not contribute to aviation safety.". In addition, it also states "Aeromedical decision-making includes an analysis of the underlying disease or condition and treatment. The underlying disease has an equal and often greater influence upon the determination of aeromedical certification."

An unofficial list of meds by category is provided by Pilot Medical Solutions at http://www.leftseat.com/medcat1.htm. In addition, should you have questions about your own medications as it pertains to obtaining a medical certificate, you can ask Pilot Medical Solutions on this page, for their opinion.

Personally I think this is great news. I know of several people who are on anti-depressants, and most people have few side effects. And they simply let people live a bit more normal life than what would be possible without the drugs. In addition, I know of at least one pilot who has been on anti-depressants for many years, and they did not report this to the FAA or during their medical, as that would have disqualified them from getting their medical certification.

I hope this opens the doors to the joys of flight, to additional aspiring private pilots.

Happy flying!