Individuals seeking to exercise pilot privileges are required to obtain a FAA medical certificate per 14 CFR §61.3(c) and §67.4. The collection is mandatory to be reported on occasion (as needed) based on the duration of the three classes of medical certificates as specified in 14 CFR §61.3(d) and will vary among respondents. The FAA collects this medical information only when an individual initially applies for or renews a FAA medical certificate. All applications and supporting documentation received are for decision-making and recordkeeping purposes.
Respondents provide private medical information in order to meet FAA standards; their applications contain personally identifying information (PII). The application contains questions regarding medical history, the usage of medication, recent visits to a health professional, etc. It is anticipated that the information collected will be disseminated to Aviation Medical Examiners (i.e. public physicians designated by the FAA) through an automated system or used to support publicly disseminated information. The FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine will retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with FAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response to Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines.
The FAA assigns a unique Pathology Index number (called a PI#) to each respondentâs application. Renewal applicants maintain the same PI# as their unique identifier for the lifecycle of their applications with the FAA.
Following is a brief description of the purpose of this medical information collection:
FAA Form 8500-7, Report of Eye Evaluation: Applicants who do not meet distant visual acuity standards and who desire an Authorization for Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate must submit FAA Form 8500-7 for evaluation and determination by FAA physicians.
FAA Form 8500-8, Application for Airman Medical Certificate or Airman Medical and Student Pilot Certificate: Applicants complete this form to make application for an FAA medical certificate. FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) perform a medical examination and, based on the applicantsâ input, work with Agency physicians to assess an applicantâs medical fitness.
FAA Form 8500-14, Ophthalmological Evaluation for Glaucoma: Applicants with glaucoma must submit FAA Form 8500-14 so that FAA physicians can make determinations regarding permissible operational flight activities commensurate with their medical condition and public safety.
US Code:
49 USC 44709
Name of Law: Amendments, modifications, suspensions, and revocations of certificates
US Code:
49 USC 40113
Name of Law: Administrative
US Code:
49 USC 44702
Name of Law: Issuance of certificates
US Code:
49 USC 44701
Name of Law: General requirements
US Code:
49 USC 44703
Name of Law: Airman certificates
In October of 2018, Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act (Public Law 115-254). Section 318 of Public Law 115-254 directed the Administrator to revise 14 CFR 61.3(c) (relating to second-class medical certificates) to apply to an operator of an air balloon to the same extent such regulations apply to a pilot flightcrew member of other aircraft. In November of 2021, the FAA issued Medical Certification Standards for Commercial Balloon Operations, a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in response to the statutory directive. The NPRM proposed extending the requirement of second class medical certificates to commercial balloon pilots engaged in certain commercial balloon operations.
The time burden on regulated persons has increased due to the estimated affected population increase of 2,277 respondents. The economic burden on respondents has also increased, because the FAA is now using an updated per-respose cost of $150.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Ophthalmological Evaluation for Glaucoma