Acoustic neuroma
What the FAA's documents say about acoustic neuroma, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Covers: All classes
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into three rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row ATreated 5 or more years ago with surgery or stereotactic radiation | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BTreated 5 or more years ago with observation ONLY | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Row CLess than 5 years ago: observation, surgery or stereotactic radiation | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Acoustic neuroma
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Treated 5 or more years ago, with surgery or stereotactic radiation. The table says the examiner should review a current status report from the treating physician. If there are no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed (the table's words, as printed), it says ISSUE. The examiner summarizes the history in Block 60 and submits documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
A. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Surgery, OR • Stereotactic radiation … The AME should review a current status report from the treating physician. If no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed: … ISSUE Summarize history in Block 60. Submit documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Treated 5 or more years ago, with observation ONLY. The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
B. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Observation ONLY … Submit the following to the FAA for review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter.
- Row C · Special Issuance
Treated less than 5 years ago, with any of the following: observation, surgery, or stereotactic radiation. The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
C. Treated Less than 5 years ago With ANY of the following: • Observation, • Surgery, or • Stereotactic radiation … Submit the following to the FAA for review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter.
The FAA pathways for acoustic neuroma
Which exam
Which one describes yours?
The FAA's table sorts it these ways. Choose yours to see its plan.
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: Row A: the status report and what the examiner reviews
Treated 5 or more years ago with surgery or stereotactic radiation.A current status report from your treating physician, which your AME should review.
The table says ISSUE if
- No symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed (as printed)
At the exam
- Your AME summarizes the history in Block 60
- Your AME submits documents to the FAA for retention in the file
Show the FAA's words: Row A: the status report and what the examiner reviews
The AME should review a current status report from the treating physician.
FAA source: Acoustic Neuroma. FAA date 30 May 2018; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed:
ISSUE
FAA source: Acoustic Neuroma. FAA date 30 May 2018; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
A. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Surgery, OR • Stereotactic radiation
FAA source: Acoustic Neuroma. FAA date 30 May 2018; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Summarize history in Block 60. Submit documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
FAA source: Acoustic Neuroma. FAA date 30 May 2018; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table says the examiner should review a current status report from the treating physician. If there are no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed (the table's words, as printed), it says ISSUE. The examiner summarizes the history in Block 60 and submits documents to the FAA for retention in the file.Exam day- The table says the examiner should review a current status report from the treating physician. If there are no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed (the table's words, as printed), it says ISSUE. The examiner summarizes the history in Block 60 and submits documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Surgery, OR • Stereotactic radiation
The AME should review a current status report from the treating physician. If no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed:
ISSUE Summarize history in Block 60. Submit documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
FAA source: Acoustic Neuroma. FAA date 30 May 2018; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Row AExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
The table says the examiner should review a current status report from the treating physician. If there are no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed (the table's words, as printed), it says ISSUE. The examiner summarizes the history in Block 60 and submits documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
Row BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
If the examiner defersRow CDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Treated 5 or more years ago, with surgery or stereotactic radiation. The table says the examiner should review a current status report from the treating physician. If there are no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed (the table's words, as printed), it says ISSUE. The examiner summarizes the history in Block 60 and submits documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
A. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Surgery, OR • Stereotactic radiation … The AME should review a current status report from the treating physician. If no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed: … ISSUE Summarize history in Block 60. Submit documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Treated 5 or more years ago, with observation ONLY. The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
B. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Observation ONLY … Submit the following to the FAA for review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter.
- Row C · Special Issuance
Treated less than 5 years ago, with any of the following: observation, surgery, or stereotactic radiation. The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
C. Treated Less than 5 years ago With ANY of the following: • Observation, • Surgery, or • Stereotactic radiation … Submit the following to the FAA for review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row B, treated 5 or more years ago with observation ONLY, DEFER.
The table marks Row C, treated less than 5 years ago with any of observation, surgery, or stereotactic radiation, DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, treated 5 or more years ago with observation ONLY, DEFER.
B. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Observation ONLY … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
- Reason 2
The table marks Row C, treated less than 5 years ago with any of observation, surgery, or stereotactic radiation, DEFER.
C. Treated Less than 5 years ago With ANY of the following: • Observation, • Surgery, or • Stereotactic radiation … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workAt later examsSpecial Issuance
The disposition table is headed All Classes.
Show the FAA's words: how often the FAA asks again
Acoustic Neuroma All Classes
For Rows B and C the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
Show the FAA's words: at later exams
Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter.
What a Special Issuance is
The Guide says an Authorization for Special Issuance, valid for a specified period, may be granted at the Federal Air Surgeon's discretion to a person who does not meet the established medical standards, if the person shows to the satisfaction of the Federal Air Surgeon that the duties authorized by the class of certificate applied for can be performed without endangering public safety during the period the Authorization would be in force.
How the FAA pathways workFollow-up issuance per the authorization letter
For Rows B and C the table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
Show the FAA's words: Follow-up issuance per the authorization letter
Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter.
Good to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
Row A's words on treatment and surveillance
Row A's condition is printed as no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed. The table does not say more, and this page quotes the line as printed without choosing a reading of its comma.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
If no symptoms or current problems, no ongoing treatment, or surveillance needed:
Observation only, 5 or more years ago, is deferred
Row A is treated 5 or more years ago with surgery or stereotactic radiation, and is ISSUE. Row B is treated 5 or more years ago with observation ONLY, and the table marks it DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
A. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Surgery, OR • Stereotactic radiation … B. Treated 5 or more years ago With • Observation ONLY … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Row A sends documents to the FAA
Row A is ISSUE, and the table also has the examiner submit documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
ISSUE Summarize history in Block 60. Submit documents to the FAA for retention in the file.
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.