Bronchiectasis
What the FAA's documents say about bronchiectasis, 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
BRONCHIECTASIS All Classes
- Row A says that if the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section. Cystic fibrosis has its own FAA disposition table, and its own page.
Short version
The disposition table has one row, for all stages and severity of bronchiectasis, symptomatic or asymptomatic.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAll stages/severity, symptomatic or asymptomatic | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Bronchiectasis
- Row A · Special Issuance
All stages or severity of bronchiectasis, symptomatic or asymptomatic. The row says that if the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Item 60.
A. All stages/severity, symptomatic or asymptomatic If the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section. Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Annotate (elements or findings) in Item 60.
- A note on the table, 1
Row A says that if the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section.
If the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section.
The FAA pathways for bronchiectasis
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The pulmonologist's progress note
From a clinic visit with a board-certified pulmonologist.Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed progress note from a clinic visit with a board-certified pulmonologist, no more than 90 days before the exam.
It must include
- A detailed summary of the history of the condition
- Current medications, dosage, and side effects, if any
- Physical exam findings
- Results of any testing performed
- Diagnosis, assessment and plan
- Prognosis and follow-up
It must specifically include
- Current disease severity
- History of acute exacerbations or other complications
- Dates medication used
Show the FAA's words: The pulmonologist's progress note
Submit the following for FAA review: 1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with a board-certified Pulmonologist no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. It must include: • A detailed summary of the history of the condition; • Current medications, dosage, and side effects (if any); • Physical exam findings; • Results of any testing performed; • Diagnosis; assessment and plan; • Prognosis; and follow-up.
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. The Clinical Progress Note must specifically include: • current disease severity; • history of acute exacerbations or other complications; and • dates medication used
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Spirometry, walk test, labs and imaging
The tests the table lists, and results of tests or imaging already performed.Spirometry
Within 90 days before the examSpirometry within the past 90 days.
6-minute walk test
Within 90 days before the examA 6-minute walk test performed within the past 90 days.
Labs, including a CBC
Within 90 days before the examA complete blood count (CBC) performed within the past 90 days.
Also
- Copies of other labs already performed or clinically indicated, such as alpha-1 antitrypsin
Tests or imaging already performed
If already performed.
If already performed.
Results of tests or imaging already performed, such as a chest X-ray and/or a high-resolution CT (computed tomography).
Show the FAA's words: Spirometry, walk test, labs and imaging
3. Spirometry within the past 90 days.
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
4. A 6-minute walk test performed within the past 90 days.
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
5. Lab. • Complete Blood Count (CBC) performed within the past 90 days. • Copies of other labs already performed or clinically indicated (such as alpha-1 antitrypsin).
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
6. Results of tests/ imaging already performed (such as Chest X-ray and/or High-Resolution CT (computed tomography).
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 3: If the cause is cystic fibrosis
The table's note on cystic fibrosis.Row A says that if the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section.
Show the FAA's words: If the cause is cystic fibrosis
If the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section.
FAA source: Bronchiectasis. FAA date 27 August 2025; 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. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Item 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Special Issuance
All stages or severity of bronchiectasis, symptomatic or asymptomatic. The row says that if the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and annotates the elements or findings in Item 60.
A. All stages/severity, symptomatic or asymptomatic If the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section. Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Annotate (elements or findings) in Item 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row A, all stages/severity, symptomatic or asymptomatic, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with a board-certified pulmonologist no more than 90 days prior to the exam, including what the table lists.
- Item 2. The clinical progress note specifically including current disease severity, history of acute exacerbations or other complications, and dates medication used.
- Item 3. Spirometry within the past 90 days.
- Item 4. A 6-minute walk test performed within the past 90 days.
- Item 5. Labs -- a complete blood count (CBC) performed within the past 90 days, and copies of other labs already performed or clinically indicated (such as alpha-1 antitrypsin).
- Item 6. Results of tests or imaging already performed, such as a chest X-ray and/or a high-resolution CT (computed tomography).
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, all stages/severity, symptomatic or asymptomatic, DEFER.
A. All stages/severity, symptomatic or asymptomatic … 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 a board-certified pulmonologist 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 a board-certified Pulmonologist no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. It must include:
- Item 2
The clinical progress note specifically including current disease severity, history of acute exacerbations or other complications, and dates medication used.
2. The Clinical Progress Note must specifically include: • current disease severity; • history of acute exacerbations or other complications; and • dates medication used
- Item 3
Spirometry within the past 90 days.
3. Spirometry within the past 90 days.
- Item 4
A 6-minute walk test performed within the past 90 days.
4. A 6-minute walk test performed within the past 90 days.
- Item 5
Labs -- a complete blood count (CBC) performed within the past 90 days, and copies of other labs already performed or clinically indicated (such as alpha-1 antitrypsin).
5. Lab. • Complete Blood Count (CBC) performed within the past 90 days. • Copies of other labs already performed or clinically indicated (such as alpha-1 antitrypsin).
- Item 6
Results of tests or imaging already performed, such as a chest X-ray and/or a high-resolution CT (computed tomography).
6. Results of tests/ imaging already performed (such as Chest X-ray and/or High-Resolution CT (computed tomography).
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.
If the cause is cystic fibrosis
Row A says that if the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section. The table does not say whether its own list still applies then.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
If the cause of bronchiectasis is cystic fibrosis, see that section.
The progress note is from a board-certified pulmonologist
The table asks for the progress note from a clinic visit with a board-certified pulmonologist, no more than 90 days prior to the exam, and says the note must specifically include current disease severity, history of acute exacerbations or other complications, and dates medication used.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with a board-certified Pulmonologist no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. … 2. The Clinical Progress Note must specifically include: • current disease severity; • history of acute exacerbations or other complications; and • dates medication used
Spirometry, the walk test and the CBC are within the past 90 days
The table asks for spirometry, a 6-minute walk test and a complete blood count (CBC), each within the past 90 days.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
3. Spirometry within the past 90 days. 4. A 6-minute walk test performed within the past 90 days. 5. Lab. • Complete Blood Count (CBC) performed within the past 90 days.
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.