I have an employee who is going through a possible ADHD diagnosis. He operates my agricultural drones and is a good pilot, but he is facing some challenges in his personal life. He wants to start medication, but we are concerned about how it might affect his ability to keep flying the drones. Is there any issue with medication and flying the drones? We would like to keep him employed if possible.
Medication might actually improve his performance due to better focus. However, anyone starting a new medication should wait a few days to see how it affects them before using heavy equipment.
Teo said:
@Gianna
Would medication for ADHD disqualify him from getting the medical?
Here’s a helpful reference on the issue: FAA ADHD guidelines
Micah said:
You don’t need an FAA medical to be a licensed drone pilot. If he were flying planes, it would be different, but it should not affect his Part 107 certification.
What if the drones are over 55 pounds and need both the weight exemption and the chemical spray exemption?
@Teo
I can’t speak to over 55lb drones or the other exemptions. Sorry for the irrelevant advice.
@Teo
Do your insurance or FAA waivers require pilots to have an FAA Class 3 medical or better? Your employee wouldn’t qualify for a medical if he’s medicated for ADHD. The FAA considers certain mental conditions as a risk to safety. It’s a conversation you should have with your employee to see if his ability to fly is affected.
Micah said:
You don’t need an FAA medical to be a licensed drone pilot. If he were flying planes, it would be different, but it should not affect his Part 107 certification.
You do need at least a 3rd class medical to fly Part 137 (ag spray).
@Gianna
Would medication for ADHD disqualify him from getting the medical?
Teo said:
@Gianna
Would medication for ADHD disqualify him from getting the medical?
If the medication is not right, it could temporarily disqualify him from flying. But if the medication is working as intended, it shouldn’t affect his job performance.
@Oakley
This answer doesn’t apply to an FAA medical. It’s not about job performance, but medical clearance.
A company just got an exemption approved to fly without a medical cert. Check it out here.
@Blair
This is interesting and helpful, as I haven’t heard of such a case before.
Gianna said:
@Blair
This is interesting and helpful, as I haven’t heard of such a case before.
It literally came up today. I get emails from this law firm, and it was in my inbox this morning. I know the company that received the exemption, and they’ve been working on it for months.
@Blair
That’s very interesting.
My son became much more focused and less easily distracted after starting medication. It really changed his life.
Medical clearance is not required for Part 107 certification.
Denny said:
Medical clearance is not required for Part 107 certification.
The problem is that the drones in question weigh over 55 pounds, and I’m not sure how the weight exemption would affect this.
@Teo
I should’ve realized that. Since you mentioned the weight, I have a few questions: Does the FAA require a medical for this? Do insurance requirements ask for it? Is your employee safe to fly? Does your insurance care?
@Teo
It looks like a Class III medical is needed. If he can get it, you should be fine. Also, HIPAA might be a factor here with regard to medical confidentiality.
As long as it doesn’t affect his ability to fly safely, there’s no restriction.