Gallstones
What the FAA's documents say about gallstones, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Cholelithiasis (Gallbladder Disease)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
CHOLELITHIASIS (Gallbladder Disease) All Classes
Short version
The Cholelithiasis disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAsymptomatic, or after surgery with no complications | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BSymptoms, a history of symptoms, or unresolved surgical complications | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Gallstones
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Asymptomatic, or post-surgery with no complications. If the examiner can determine the condition is under control and there are no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and whether the treating physician has released the pilot to full activity, and annotates this information in Block 60, including the approximate date of surgery. If the examiner's comments are absent, the pilot may be asked to provide a current, detailed progress note from their physician.
A. Asymptomatic OR Post-surgery with NO complications. … If the AME can determine the condition is under control and the individual has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties. Note: The AME should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and if the individual has been released to full activity by the treating physician. If AME comments are absent, the individual may be asked to provide a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note from their physician. ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 including approximate date of surgery.
- Row B · Special Issuance
All others, symptomatic or a history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic), or surgical complications (unresolved). The row says that for surgical complications such as DVT, see that page. 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 Block 60.
B. All others: Symptomatic or history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic) OR Surgical complications (unresolved) If surgical complications such as DVT, see that page. … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
The FAA pathways for gallstones
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
Control and symptoms, and comments on any surgery.Your AME determines the things row A lists, and comments on any surgery.
Your AME determines
- The condition is under control
- No symptoms that would interfere with flight duties
Your AME comments on
- The date of surgery
- Any complications
- Whether your treating physician has released you to full activity
Show the FAA's words: What the examiner determines for row A
If the AME can determine the condition is under control and the individual has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties.
FAA source: Cholelithiasis Disposition Table. FAA date 29 May 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Note: The AME should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and if the individual has been released to full activity by the treating physician.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 including approximate date of surgery.
FAA source: Cholelithiasis Disposition Table. FAA date 29 May 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If AME comments are absent, the individual may be asked to provide a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note from their physician.
FAA source: Cholelithiasis Disposition Table. FAA date 29 May 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
If the examiner can determine the condition is under control and there are no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and whether the treating physician has released the pilot to full activity, and annotates this information in Block 60, including the approximate date of surgery. If the examiner's comments are absent, the pilot may be asked to provide a current, detailed progress note from their physician.Exam day- If the examiner can determine the condition is under control and there are no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and whether the treating physician has released the pilot to full activity, and annotates this information in Block 60, including the approximate date of surgery. If the examiner's comments are absent, the pilot may be asked to provide a current, detailed progress note from their physician.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Asymptomatic OR Post-surgery with NO complications.
If the AME can determine the condition is under control and the individual has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties. Note: The AME should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and if the individual has been released to full activity by the treating physician. If AME comments are absent, the individual may be asked to provide a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note from their physician. ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 including approximate date of surgery.
FAA source: Cholelithiasis Disposition Table. FAA date 29 May 2024; 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 condition is under control and there are no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and whether the treating physician has released the pilot to full activity, and annotates this information in Block 60, including the approximate date of surgery. If the examiner's comments are absent, the pilot may be asked to provide a current, detailed progress note from their physician.
Row BDefers 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 Block 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Asymptomatic, or post-surgery with no complications. If the examiner can determine the condition is under control and there are no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE. The examiner should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and whether the treating physician has released the pilot to full activity, and annotates this information in Block 60, including the approximate date of surgery. If the examiner's comments are absent, the pilot may be asked to provide a current, detailed progress note from their physician.
A. Asymptomatic OR Post-surgery with NO complications. … If the AME can determine the condition is under control and the individual has no symptoms that would interfere with flight duties. Note: The AME should comment on the date of surgery, any complications, and if the individual has been released to full activity by the treating physician. If AME comments are absent, the individual may be asked to provide a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note from their physician. ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60 including approximate date of surgery.
- Row B · Special Issuance
All others, symptomatic or a history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic), or surgical complications (unresolved). The row says that for surgical complications such as DVT, see that page. 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 Block 60.
B. All others: Symptomatic or history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic) OR Surgical complications (unresolved) If surgical complications such as DVT, see that page. … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance Annotate (elements or findings) in Block 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks row B, all others, symptomatic or a history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic), or surgical complications (unresolved), DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician or surgeon no more than 90 days before the exam, including what the table lists.
- Item 2. Hospital records (if applicable): the admission history and physical, the discharge summary, and the operative or procedure reports.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks row B, all others, symptomatic or a history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic), or surgical complications (unresolved), DEFER.
B. All others: Symptomatic or history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic) OR Surgical complications (unresolved) … 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 or surgeon 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 the treating physician or surgeon no more than 90 days before the AME exam. It must include:
- Item 2
Hospital records (if applicable): the admission history and physical, the discharge summary, and the operative or procedure reports.
2. Hospital records (if applicable): • Admission History and Physical; • Hospital discharge summary. … and • Operative/procedure report(s).
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.
Portal notes are typically not enough
Under hospital records, the table says that typically the patient portal notes or after visit summary (AVS) printed from electronic medical records are NOT sufficient for medical certification purposes.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
(Typically, the patient portal notes or after visit summary (AVS) printed from electronic medical records are NOT sufficient for medical certification purposes.)
Surgical complications such as DVT
Row B says that for surgical complications such as DVT, see that page. The table does not name the page.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
If surgical complications such as DVT, see that page.
A history of symptoms is in row B
Row B, marked DEFER, includes a history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic), as well as current symptoms.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
B. All others: Symptomatic or history of symptoms (e.g., biliary colic) … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
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.