The goal of this petition is to have the FAA take a look into changing or eliminating the policy/regulation that prevents any person, regardless of medical history, who has a bipolar disorder cannot receive a certificate to fly. Which is stated in e-CFR/Title 14/Part 67/Subpart B/§ 67.107/a.3.

In the DSM-IV which is like the psychiatrists bible on diagnosing. It states: (manic means super highs, but hypo-manic means highs, as in highs and lows)

"Bipolar II: Similar to Bipolar I Disorder, there are periods of highs and often followed by periods of depression. Bipolar II Disorder, however is different in that the highs are hypo manic, rather than manic. In other words, they have similar symptoms but they are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning and typically do not require hospitalization in order to assure the safety of the person."

At the moment the FAA says that every pilot needs to have a medical physical every six months to five years, depending on the licenses the pilot holds. On these examination/physical forms the pilot has to disclose every single time that they have been to the doctor in the past three years. If sometimes aren’t listed and the FAA finds out the consequences can be severe.

There are many out there, may they be pilots already or not, that because of the thought that they may have a medical problem that could disqualify them, like bipolar disorder, avoid going to a doctor for treatment for the sole reason that they may lose the opportunity to fly. This is not the best way for anyone, pilots avoiding the doctor may cause serious issues in the air, but who could blame them when possibly their sole income could be gone forever because of a medical physical that they will need to take in the future.

Also this could take the dreams of many that want to fly away from them. We are told that we should follow our dreams and not let anyone get in the way of us fulfilling those dreams, but what can one do when the government gets in the way and says, “NO! You will never accomplish your dream because we say so!"