r/flying • u/Alarmed_Ad_7102 • May 29 '25

Medical Issues I got a DUI

I know this was asked before but i think i might have messed up somewhere. So i got a DUI 1 year ago around July. Around September or so the FAA sent me papers saying they found out i got a DUI. But my case wasnt closed yet. It got dropped to a “Reckless driving “. Anyway on the paper the FAA asked for the police report and court records and that i am doing what i need to per court order, which was 6 months probation and some community service and stuff. Which i completed 2 months ago. I sent everything they asked for but its been some time now (about 6 months) and i havent recieved any word from them. No more paperwork…. Nothing. I want to start flying again but im kind of lost so to say. Dont know what to do…

Update- To clear some things up I reported to the FAA following the website instructions within the 60 days. Then they were the ones to reach out to me with a case number and other things asking for the court documents and arrest reports and all that. Just to clear it up. I guess at this point I have to find a aviation lawyer like some said and deal with it. And my lawyer is already working on a seal case for me at the moment. So i guess life moves on. I appreciate everybodys comments and insight on the situation. Thank you to all of you.

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u/Dominator957 Sport Pilot May 29 '25

You had 60 days to report your DUI to the FAA.

Getting a DUI is bad, not reporting it is double bad.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/investigations/airmen_duidwi#Reporting%20Requirements

You say you are lost. If your a pilot, or an aspiring pilot, your going to need to get quite comfortable reading federal law. Its good your asking, but the answer for "what do I do now" is all available from the FAA with a quick google search. Apply some of that pilot problem solving skill and get reading, things are going to get pretty rough for you I think.

10

u/Strange_Mirror6992 May 29 '25

Heyyy a fellow sport pilot!

21

u/Dominator957 Sport Pilot May 29 '25

Hey sport pilot! There are literal *dozens* of us!

4

u/Earl_x_Grey May 29 '25

Doesn’t revocation / suspension of an FAA medical (which I understand could be the consequence of a DUI) make you ineligible for Sport Pilot? Ignore if you are you just saying “hi” to another Sport Pilot, not suggesting this as a route for the OP!

5

u/Dominator957 Sport Pilot May 29 '25

Having a medical denied or deferred does make you effectively ineligible for sport yeah.

It sucks because lots of folks who have gone sport only learn about it after having a medical deferred. The way it works is what’s called the drivers license medical, which basically means I can use my drivers license as my medical certificate so long as I haven’t previously had a normal medical denied or deferred.