Welcome to Coastwise
Aviation Professionals Program
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Pilots facing the suspension of their license due to substance abuse encounter a challenging situation, often compounded by the complexities of the FAA recertification process. At Coastwise, we specialize in guiding pilots through this intricate journey, which typically spans a minimum of two years before achieving full reinstatement as an aviation pilot under FAA regulations.
Our approach encompasses two crucial components:
The specific path you follow depends on the FAA's requirements you must fulfill during the reinstatement process.
Our program
In our Outpatient Substance Abuse program, you can expect flexibility, ranging from three days per week for three hours per day up to five days a week for six hours a day.
The HIMS Aftercare Group, which meets every first three Thursdays of the month from 6 to 7:30 pm, is designed to meet FAA standards while fostering a secure and supportive environment. This group focuses on facilitating your sobriety journey and ensuring it aligns with your aspirations as an aviation pilot. As a member of this group, you will receive exceptional care and receive quarterly updates sent to your AME Doctor to track your recovery progress.
Additionally, we offer onsite drug and alcohol testing, which is shared with your AME Doctor as tangible evidence of your commitment to sobriety, potentially expediting FAA recertification. Coastwise maintains a partnership with Pilot Medical Solutions Inc, a company skilled in navigating the complex paperwork required for recertification. They can assist in compiling the necessary documentation and physically deliver it to the FAA in Oklahoma City, OK.
The Process
Our primary aim throughout this process is to ensure that you attain a stable recovery state, supported by unanimous agreement among treating professionals that you are ready to return to flight status. To facilitate your journey back into the skies, we've created a checklist to initiate the process. We are dedicated to providing you with comprehensive support every step of the way.
HIMS CHECKLIST (or Process) FOR FAA RECERTIFICATION
1) Get an AME Doctor (Aviation Medical Examiner)
This doctor will serve as your Medical Sponsor. This Doctor is the only one who can submit your case as a recovering pilot for FAA certification.
A qualified AME has typically been HIMS-trained and is approved by the FAA to perform the duty of submitting paperwork for a pilot for certification. Often the medical director of an involved airline will perform this duty, however some airlines rely on an independent AME.
2) Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse
The FAA mandates substance abuse treatment for most pilots. The specific program requirements can vary, with some pilots needing both inpatient and outpatient treatment, while others may only require one of these options. Coastwise offers an FAA-compliant Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment program, which continues until significant progress is demonstrated, allowing pilots to transition into a mandatory step-down weekly aftercare group.
Upon program completion, your AME Doctor will request a comprehensive treatment record, which includes diagnosis, chart notes, medication details, psychological testing results, and more. This record is a vital component of your overall submission to the FAA as you progress towards certification.
3) HIMS Aftercare Group
The aftercare group is a mandatory requirement by the FAA and is considered a crucial element for maintaining sobriety when resuming flight duties. It's a prerequisite for receiving a special issuance to fly. This group must convene on a weekly basis, as the FAA expects all program participants to attend at least half of the meetings throughout the entire special issuance period. This step is pivotal on the path to FAA certification, and failure to furnish documentation of the aftercare program in your FAA submission will lead to certification delays.
4) Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a potent recovery resource and holds substantial significance in the FAA's pilot certification process. Although not obligatory, it is strongly recommended, making it an integral step in the journey. It is advisable for pilots to maintain a written record of their AA attendance and confirm the presence of an AA sponsor. While written documentation from AA is not compulsory, it can be advantageous for your AME to review your attendance record and potentially engage with your AA sponsor, who can vouch for your current state of sobriety.
5) Peer & Company Sponsors
As part of your journey to regain full aviation pilot licensure, you must have both a company sponsor and a peer sponsor. Your Company Sponsor should be your chief pilot at the commercial airline where you work, or your immediate supervisor in other aviation roles. Meanwhile, your Peer Sponsor should be a fellow pilot, ideally with HIMS program experience, who can attest to the extent of your current sobriety.
Monthly meetings with both your Company Sponsor and Peer Sponsor are mandatory, and they are required to submit monthly reports to your AME. It's essential to emphasize that your AME must verify the presence of your sponsors in their submission to the FAA.
6) Psychological and Psychiatric Examinations
The FAA has designated pairs of psychologists and psychiatrists across the country to conduct psychological and psychiatric examinations. These assessments should only be scheduled once all preceding steps are completed, and all parties concur on the pilot's readiness to return to flight duties. Before these rigorous testing procedures, a comprehensive set of records should be provided to the designated professionals.
It's crucial not to proceed with these tests if there is any evidence of lingering cognitive dysfunction resulting from chronic alcohol abuse. In such cases, it's advisable to allow more time for recovery. If the pilot is not in a stable state of recovery, they may often be deemed in need of additional treatment before resuming flight duties, potentially requiring repeat testing several months later.
7) FAA Examination and Submission
This is the final review prior to case submission. The AME holds the authority to grant or delay the process until the pilot is deemed to be in a state of sound recovery. The FAA package comprises the following:
- Diagnostic records
- Complete inpatient treatment records
- Summary from Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or individual therapy
- Summary from aftercare group along with its schedule
- Comprehensive Psychological and Psychiatric report
- Deferred 8500-8 (FAA Examination)
- Summary from the medical sponsor
The AME conducts a meticulous review of all records to ensure no overlooked issues exist. The summary from the medical sponsor must have enough detail for the FAA to determine that the AME does indeed “know” the pilot and can legitimately endorse his return to flight status. The pilot must also meet the other qualifications outlined in the 8500-8 FAA examination. Following this, the case should be dispatched to the Federal Air Surgeon's office in a package with a signed receipt to confirm retrieval.
8) FAA Recertification
The special issuance letter is very specific in its requirements. The pilot is then made responsible for seeing that each provision of the letter is met. Understand, the AME is authorized at any time to revoke the medical certificate. Upon meeting these requirements, you will be granted your Special Issuance (SI), certifying your readiness to resume your role as a working pilot.