Brain aneurysm (not ruptured)
What the FAA's documents say about brain aneurysm (not ruptured), in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Brain Aneurysm (Intracranial aneurysm / Cerebral aneurysm) Not RupturedCovers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
BRAIN ANEURYSM (Intracranial aneurysm / Cerebral aneurysm) Not Ruptured All Classes
- The table refers a ruptured and/or repaired aneurysm to the brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section. Crosscheck has a page on brain bleed, written from the FAA's Brain Bleed disposition table.
- The row'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 one row, an existing aneurysm which has not ruptured.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAn existing aneurysm which has not ruptured | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Brain aneurysm (not ruptured)
- Row A · Special Issuance
An existing aneurysm which has not ruptured. If it ruptured and/or was repaired, the row refers to the brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. Existing Aneurysm which has not ruptured … If ruptured and/or repaired, refer to brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section. … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
- A note on the table, 1
The row'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.
- A note on the table, 2
If ruptured and/or repaired, the row says to refer to the brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section.
If ruptured and/or repaired, refer to brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section.
The FAA pathways for brain aneurysm (not ruptured)
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The neurological evaluation
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: Brain Aneurysm. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Imaging
A CTA or MRA of the head, and previous imaging.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 (CT, MRI, CTA, MRA or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
Show the FAA's words: Imaging
2. CTA (preferred) or MRA head performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam.*
FAA source: Brain Aneurysm. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
3. Previous Imaging* (CT, MRI, CTA, MRA or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
FAA source: Brain Aneurysm. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Submit BOTH the report and a copy of the 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: Brain Aneurysm. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: If there was a seizure, or a rupture or repair
Where the table's notes point.The row's notes point to other sections of the FAA's guidance.
The row's notes
- If associated with a seizure, see that section. A recovery period may apply.
- If ruptured and/or repaired, refer to the brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section
Show the FAA's words: If there was a seizure, or a rupture or repair
Note: If associated with a seizure – see that section. A recovery period may apply.
FAA source: Brain Aneurysm. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If ruptured and/or repaired, refer to brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section.
FAA source: Brain Aneurysm. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
Row ADefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review, 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 existing aneurysm which has not ruptured. If it ruptured and/or was repaired, the row refers to the brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
A. Existing Aneurysm which has not ruptured … If ruptured and/or repaired, refer to brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section. … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, an existing aneurysm which has not ruptured, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
- Item 2. A CTA (preferred) or MRA of the head performed no more than 12 months before the exam.
- Item 3. Previous imaging (CT, MRI, CTA, MRA or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, an existing aneurysm which has not ruptured, DEFER.
A. Existing Aneurysm which has not ruptured … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed neurological evaluation that meets FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation, from a clinic visit with the treating neurologist no more than 90 days before the exam.
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.
- Item 2
A CTA (preferred) or MRA of the head performed no more than 12 months before the exam.
2. CTA (preferred) or MRA head performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam.*
- Item 3
Previous imaging (CT, MRI, CTA, MRA or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
3. Previous Imaging* (CT, MRI, CTA, MRA or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred.
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.
A ruptured or repaired aneurysm has its own section
This table is for an aneurysm which has not ruptured. If ruptured and/or repaired, the row says to refer to the brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
BRAIN ANEURYSM (Intracranial aneurysm / Cerebral aneurysm) Not Ruptured … If ruptured and/or repaired, refer to brain bleed/intracranial hemorrhage section.
Two asterisks with no footnote
The table puts an asterisk after item 2 and after the words Previous Imaging in item 3, and prints no line marked with an asterisk. The paragraph on submitting the report and the images on CD follows item 3 without a number, and the table does not say which items it applies to.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
2. CTA (preferred) or MRA head performed no more than 12 months before the AME exam.* … 3. Previous Imaging* (CT, MRI, CTA, MRA or cerebral catheter angiography/cath angio of the head) performed at any time after the symptoms occurred. Submit BOTH the report and a copy of the images on compact disc (CD) in DICOM readable format.
Previous imaging after the symptoms occurred
Item 3 asks for previous imaging performed at any time after the symptoms occurred. The row is an aneurysm which has not ruptured, and the table does not say which symptoms.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
A. Existing Aneurysm which has not ruptured … 3. Previous Imaging* (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.