AVM of the brain or spinal cord
What the FAA's documents say about AVM of the brain or spinal cord, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) – Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION (AVM) – Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord) All Classes
- The FAA's Brain Bleed table lists a ruptured AVM among its examples of a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, and has its own page.
- Row A's note says that if associated with a seizure, see that section, and that a recovery period may apply. Crosscheck has a page on seizures and epilepsy, written from the FAA's Seizure and Epilepsy tables.
Short version
The disposition table has three rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row ABrain or spinal cord, not requiring treatment | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
| Row BBrain or spinal cord: embolization procedure, ruptured or repaired | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for AVM of the brain or spinal cord
- Row A · Special Issuance
An AVM of the brain or spinal cord, not requiring treatment. The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. Brain or Spinal Cord Not requiring treatment Submit to the FAA for review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
- Row B · Special Issuance
An AVM of the brain or spinal cord, with the row's two lines: treated with embolization procedure, and ruptured or repaired. The row does not say whether one or both of them apply. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, starting with all items in Row A, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Brain or Spinal Cord Treated with embolization procedure Ruptured or repaired Submit the following for FAA review: 1. All items in Row A. … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
- A note on the table, 1
Row C is an AVM - Peripheral (for example, lungs, liver, or bone). The table says see that page, which it names AVM - Peripheral.
C. AVM - Peripheral (e.g. lungs, liver, or bone) See that page: AVM - Peripheral (e.g. lungs, liver, or bone)
- A note on the table, 2
Row A's note says if associated with a seizure, see that section, and a recovery period may apply.
Note: If associated with a seizure – see that section. A recovery period may apply.
The FAA pathways for AVM of the brain or spinal cord
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: The neurological evaluation
For Rows A and B, from your treating neurologist.Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with your treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
Show the FAA's words: The neurological evaluation
1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation generated from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Imaging studies and other testing
Row A's items, which Row B also asks for.MRI brain with hemosiderin-sensitive sequences
An MRI of the brain to include sequences sensitive to the presence of hemosiderin, performed no more than 12 months before the exam.
CTA (preferred) or MRA of the head
A CTA (preferred) or MRA of the head, performed no more than 12 months before the exam.
Previous imaging
Previous imaging (such as CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
Other testing
Any other testing performed or deemed necessary by your treating physician.
Show the FAA's words: Imaging studies and other testing
2. Imaging studies: • MRI brain to include sequences sensitive to the presence of hemosiderin performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
• CTA (preferred) or MRA head performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
• Previous Imaging (such as CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
3. Any other testing performed or deemed necessary by the treating physician.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
• Submit BOTH the report and a copy of all images on compact disc (CD) in DICOM readable format. (There MUST be a 'DICOMDIR' in the root directory of the CD-ROM). Please verify the CD will display the images before sending. You may wish to retain copies of all CDs or images as a safeguard if lost in the mail.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: If associated with a seizure
Where Row A's note points.Row A's note: if associated with a seizure, see that section. A recovery period may apply.
Show the FAA's words: If associated with a seizure
Note: If associated with a seizure – see that section. A recovery period may apply.
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 4: A peripheral AVM
Row C, for example lungs, liver, or bone.For an AVM - Peripheral (for example, lungs, liver, or bone), the table says see that page, which it names AVM - Peripheral.
Show the FAA's words: A peripheral AVM
C. AVM - Peripheral (e.g. lungs, liver, or bone) See that page: AVM - Peripheral (e.g. lungs, liver, or bone)
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 5: See your AME
The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.Exam day- The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Brain or Spinal Cord Not requiring treatment Submit to the FAA for review:
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
FAA source: Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) - Neurological (Brain or Spinal Cord). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Row ADefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defersRow BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review, starting with all items in Row A, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Special Issuance
An AVM of the brain or spinal cord, not requiring treatment. The table lists what to submit to the FAA for review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. Brain or Spinal Cord Not requiring treatment Submit to the FAA for review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
- Row B · Special Issuance
An AVM of the brain or spinal cord, with the row's two lines: treated with embolization procedure, and ruptured or repaired. The row does not say whether one or both of them apply. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, starting with all items in Row A, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
B. Brain or Spinal Cord Treated with embolization procedure Ruptured or repaired Submit the following for FAA review: 1. All items in Row A. … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, an AVM of the brain or spinal cord not requiring treatment, DEFER.
The table marks Row B, an AVM of the brain or spinal cord treated with embolization procedure, ruptured or repaired, DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, an AVM of the brain or spinal cord not requiring treatment, DEFER.
A. Brain or Spinal Cord Not requiring treatment … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
- Reason 2
The table marks Row B, an AVM of the brain or spinal cord treated with embolization procedure, ruptured or repaired, DEFER.
B. Brain or Spinal Cord Treated with embolization procedure Ruptured or repaired … 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 workGood to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
Row B's lines
Row B's first column prints Brain or Spinal Cord, then Treated with embolization procedure, then Ruptured or repaired, each on its own line. The table does not say whether one or both of the last two apply.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
B. Brain or Spinal Cord Treated with embolization procedure Ruptured or repaired
A ruptured AVM is named on two tables
Row B includes ruptured or repaired. The FAA's Brain Bleed table lists a ruptured AVM among its examples of a spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, with its own recovery periods and a list of its own. Neither table names the other, and this page does not choose between them.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
B. Brain or Spinal Cord Treated with embolization procedure Ruptured or repaired
Any history of a Spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage not due to trauma* (Examples may include ruptured AVM,
Required recovery periods: • If craniotomy performed: Two (2) years • Subarachnoid hemorrhage: One (1) year … After any required recovery period, submit the following for FAA review:
A peripheral AVM is on another page
Row C is an AVM - Peripheral (for example, lungs, liver, or bone). The table says see that page, which it names AVM - Peripheral.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
C. AVM - Peripheral (e.g. lungs, liver, or bone) See that page: AVM - Peripheral (e.g. lungs, liver, or bone)
Previous imaging after the symptoms occurred
Row A asks for previous imaging performed at any time after the symptoms occurred. Row A is an AVM not requiring treatment, and the table does not say which symptoms.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
Not requiring treatment … • Previous Imaging (such as CT, MRI, CTA, MRA, or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
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.