Barrett's esophagus
What the FAA's documents say about barrett's esophagus, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
BARRETT'S ESOPHAGUS All Classes
Short version
The Barrett's Esophagus disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAn endoscopy (EGD) biopsy finding | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BAbnormal findings or complications | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Barrett's esophagus
- Row A · Examiner can issue
An endoscopy (EGD) biopsy finding. If the examiner can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings, and summarizes this information, including the approximate date of the procedure, in Block 60.
A. Endoscopy (EGD) biopsy finding … If the AME can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology: The AME should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings (see corresponding section). ISSUE Summarize this information including approximate date of procedure in Block 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression). 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. The table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
B. Abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression) … 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 barrett's esophagus
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: What the examiner determines for row A
Medications, symptoms, and the biopsy finding.Your AME determines the things row A lists, and comments on the procedure.
Your AME determines
- The medications are acceptable
- No symptoms that would interfere with flight duties
- No evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology
Your AME comments on
- The approximate date of the procedure
- Any complications or additional findings
Show the FAA's words: What the examiner determines for row A
If the AME can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology:
FAA source: Barrett's Esophagus Disposition Table. FAA date 27 April 2022; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
The AME should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings (see corresponding section). ISSUE Summarize this information including approximate date of procedure in Block 60.
FAA source: Barrett's Esophagus Disposition Table. FAA date 27 April 2022; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
If the examiner can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings, and summarizes this information, including the approximate date of the procedure, in Block 60.Exam day- If the examiner can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings, and summarizes this information, including the approximate date of the procedure, in Block 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Endoscopy (EGD) biopsy finding
If the AME can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology: The AME should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings (see corresponding section). ISSUE Summarize this information including approximate date of procedure in Block 60.
FAA source: Barrett's Esophagus Disposition Table. FAA date 27 April 2022; 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
If the examiner can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings, and summarizes this information, including the approximate date of the procedure, in Block 60.
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. 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
An endoscopy (EGD) biopsy finding. If the examiner can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings, and summarizes this information, including the approximate date of the procedure, in Block 60.
A. Endoscopy (EGD) biopsy finding … If the AME can determine the medications are acceptable, the pilot has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, and there is no evidence of a GI bleed, esophageal cancer, or other pathology: The AME should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings (see corresponding section). ISSUE Summarize this information including approximate date of procedure in Block 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression). 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. The table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
B. Abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression) … 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, abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression), DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days prior to the exam, including what the table lists.
- Item 2. The table's second item, which reads that it must specifically include if there is any history of GI bleed, GI cancer, or complications.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks row B, abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression), DEFER.
B. Abnormal findings or complications (high-grade dysplasia, progression) … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days prior to the exam, including what the table lists.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. It must include
- Item 2
The table's second item, which reads that it must specifically include if there is any history of GI bleed, GI cancer, or complications.
2. It must specifically include if there is any history of GI bleed, GI cancer, or complications.
After the FAA decides
The table says follow-up issuance will be per the airman's authorization letter.
Show the FAA's words: after the FAA decides
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. 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 workGood 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.
A history of GI cancer has another section
Row B says that for a history of GI cancer, see that section. The table does not name the section.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
If history of GI cancer - see that section.
The approximate date of the procedure
For row A, the examiner should comment on the approximate date of the procedure, and the table has it included in the summary in Block 60.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
The AME should comment on the approximate date of the procedure and any complications or additional findings (see corresponding section). ISSUE Summarize this information including approximate date of procedure in Block 60.
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.
Related conditions
Each has its own page, with what the FAA's documents say about it.
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.