Cystic fibrosis
What the FAA's documents say about cystic fibrosis, 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
CYSTIC FIBROSIS All Classes
Short version
The disposition table has one row, cystic fibrosis.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row ACystic fibrosis | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Cystic fibrosis
- Row A · Special Issuance
Cystic fibrosis. 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. Cystic Fibrosis 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.
The FAA pathways for cystic fibrosis
Your step-by-step plan
Step 1: The pulmonologist's progress note
From a board-certified pulmonologist associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center.Progress note from a board-certified pulmonologist
Within 90 days before the examA current, detailed progress note from a clinic visit with a board-certified pulmonologist associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center, no more than 90 days before the exam.
It should include
- A summary of the history of the condition or diagnosis
- Current medications, dosages, and side effects, if any
- Clinical exam findings
- Results of any testing performed
- Diagnosis
- Assessment and plan (prognosis)
- Follow-up
The table's second item
The table's second item: it must specifically include what it lists.
It must specifically include
- A summary of multi-disciplinary care
- Current functional status and symptoms
- All medications and any side effects
- Physical exam findings
- Treatment plan
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 associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center no more than 90 days before the AME exam. It should include a summary of the history of the condition or diagnosis; current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); clinical exam findings; results of any testing performed; diagnosis; assessment and plan (prognosis); and follow-up.
FAA source: Cystic Fibrosis. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
2. It must specifically include: a. Summary of multi-disciplinary care b. Current functional status and symptoms c. All medications and any side effects d. Physical exam findings e. Treatment plan
FAA source: Cystic Fibrosis. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: Breathing test, walk test, labs and other studies
The tests the table lists, and reports from studies already performed.Pulmonary function test (PFTs) with DLCO
Within 90 days before the examA pulmonary function test (PFTs) with DLCO, performed within the past 90 days.
6-minute walk test (6MWT)
Within 90 days before the examA current 6-minute walk test (6MWT), no more than 90 days before the exam.
Current labs
Within 90 days before the examCurrent labs, no more than 90 days before the exam.
The labs
- CBC: complete blood count
- CMP: comprehensive metabolic panel
- OGTT: oral glucose tolerance test, not a hemoglobin A1c
Reports from other studies already performed
If already performed.
If already performed.
Reports from all other studies (lab, imaging) already performed for this condition.
Show the FAA's words: Breathing test, walk test, labs and other studies
3. Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs) with DLCO performed within the past 90 days.
FAA source: Cystic Fibrosis. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
4. Current 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
FAA source: Cystic Fibrosis. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
5. Current lab performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. a. CBC - complete blood count b. CMP - comprehensive metabolic panel c. OGTT - oral glucose tolerance test (not a hemoglobin A1c)
FAA source: Cystic Fibrosis. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
6. Reports from all other studies (lab, imaging) already performed for this condition.
FAA source: Cystic Fibrosis. FAA date 30 September 2026; 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
Cystic fibrosis. 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. Cystic Fibrosis 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, cystic fibrosis, 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 associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center no more than 90 days before the exam, including what the table lists.
- Item 2. The table's second item, which reads that it must specifically include a summary of multi-disciplinary care, current functional status and symptoms, all medications and any side effects, physical exam findings, and the treatment plan. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
- Item 3. A pulmonary function test (PFTs) with DLCO performed within the past 90 days.
- Item 4. A current 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam.
- Item 5. Current labs performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam -- a CBC, a CMP, and an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test), not a hemoglobin A1c.
- Item 6. Reports from all other studies (lab, imaging) already performed for this condition.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row A, cystic fibrosis, DEFER.
A. Cystic Fibrosis Submit the following for FAA review: … 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 associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center no more than 90 days before the exam, including what the table lists.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with a board-certified Pulmonologist associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center no more than 90 days before the AME exam. It should include
- Item 2
The table's second item, which reads that it must specifically include a summary of multi-disciplinary care, current functional status and symptoms, all medications and any side effects, physical exam findings, and the treatment plan. The item does not say what "it" refers to.
2. It must specifically include: a. Summary of multi-disciplinary care b. Current functional status and symptoms c. All medications and any side effects d. Physical exam findings e. Treatment plan
- Item 3
A pulmonary function test (PFTs) with DLCO performed within the past 90 days.
3. Pulmonary Function Test (PFTs) with DLCO performed within the past 90 days.
- Item 4
A current 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam.
4. Current 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam.
- Item 5
Current labs performed no more than 90 days prior to the exam -- a CBC, a CMP, and an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test), not a hemoglobin A1c.
5. Current lab performed no more than 90 days prior to the AME exam. a. CBC - complete blood count b. CMP - comprehensive metabolic panel c. OGTT - oral glucose tolerance test (not a hemoglobin A1c)
- Item 6
Reports from all other studies (lab, imaging) already performed for this condition.
6. Reports from all other studies (lab, imaging) already performed for this condition.
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 pulmonologist associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center
The table asks for the progress note from a clinic visit with a board-certified pulmonologist associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center, no more than 90 days before the exam.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with a board-certified Pulmonologist associated with an accredited Cystic Fibrosis Care Center no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
The second item stands on its own
The table's first item says the progress note should include its list. The second item reads that it must specifically include a second list, and does not say what "it" refers to.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
It should include a summary of the history of the condition or diagnosis; … 2. It must specifically include:
An oral glucose tolerance test, not a hemoglobin A1c
The current labs the table lists include an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test), and the table says not a hemoglobin A1c.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
c. OGTT - oral glucose tolerance test (not a hemoglobin A1c)
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.