Hernia
What the FAA's documents say about hernia, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Hernia (Abdominal; Incisional; Inguinal; Femoral; Perineal; Ventral; Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
HERNIA (Abdominal; Incisional; Inguinal; Femoral; Perineal; Ventral; Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia) All Classes
Short version
The Hernia disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row ARepaired, or reducible and uncomplicated, as row A lists | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BAll others | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Hernia
- Row A · Examiner can issue
An incisional, inguinal, femoral or ventral hernia, surgically repaired; or an inguinal hernia in a male applicant that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated; or a small (less than 1-2 cm) ventral or incisional hernia that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated; and treated with watchful waiting. The examiner should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If it is asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation, the surgery or procedure was not due to cancer, and the pilot was released for full duty, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
A. Incisional, Inguinal, Femoral or Ventral Hernia, surgically repaired OR Inguinal hernia in a male applicant that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated OR Small (less than 1-2 cm), ventral or incisional hernia that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated AND Treated with watchful waiting … AME should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation and this surgery/procedure was not due to cancer, and released for full duty: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
All others. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and summarizes the findings in Item 60.
B. All others Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Summarize findings in Item 60.
The FAA pathways for hernia
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
The type of hernia, and what must be true for ISSUE.Your AME lists the specific type of hernia on the exam form (Item 60) and determines the things row A lists.
What must be true
- Asymptomatic, or repaired
- No evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation
- The surgery or procedure was not due to cancer
- Released for full duty
Your AME's summary in Item 60
- The findings
Show the FAA's words: What the examiner determines for row A
If asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation and this surgery/procedure was not due to cancer, and released for full duty: ISSUE
FAA source: Hernia (Inguinal, Ventral) Disposition Table. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
AME should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60.
FAA source: Hernia (Inguinal, Ventral) Disposition Table. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
and released for full duty: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
FAA source: Hernia (Inguinal, Ventral) Disposition Table. FAA date 30 September 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The examiner should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If it is asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation, the surgery or procedure was not due to cancer, and the pilot was released for full duty, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.Exam day- The examiner should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If it is asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation, the surgery or procedure was not due to cancer, and the pilot was released for full duty, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Incisional, Inguinal, Femoral or Ventral Hernia, surgically repaired OR Inguinal hernia in a male applicant that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated OR Small (less than 1-2 cm), ventral or incisional hernia that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated AND Treated with watchful waiting
AME should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation and this surgery/procedure was not due to cancer, and released for full duty: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
FAA source: Hernia (Inguinal, Ventral) Disposition Table. FAA date 30 September 2026; 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
The examiner should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If it is asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation, the surgery or procedure was not due to cancer, and the pilot was released for full duty, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
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 summarizes the findings in Item 60.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
An incisional, inguinal, femoral or ventral hernia, surgically repaired; or an inguinal hernia in a male applicant that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated; or a small (less than 1-2 cm) ventral or incisional hernia that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated; and treated with watchful waiting. The examiner should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If it is asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation, the surgery or procedure was not due to cancer, and the pilot was released for full duty, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
A. Incisional, Inguinal, Femoral or Ventral Hernia, surgically repaired OR Inguinal hernia in a male applicant that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated OR Small (less than 1-2 cm), ventral or incisional hernia that is asymptomatic or associated with mild symptoms only, reducible, and uncomplicated AND Treated with watchful waiting … AME should list the specific type of hernia in Item 60. If asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation and this surgery/procedure was not due to cancer, and released for full duty: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
All others. The table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers, submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance, and summarizes the findings in Item 60.
B. All others Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Summarize findings in Item 60.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks row B, all others, 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. Results of any other testing already performed by the treating physician.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks row B, all others, DEFER.
B. All others … 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.
Submit the following for FAA review: 1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with their treating physician or surgeon no more than 90 days before the AME exam. It should include
- Item 2
Results of any other testing already performed by the treating physician.
2. Results of any other testing already performed by the treating physician. DEFER
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.
Row A's ISSUE needs the surgery or procedure not to have been due to cancer
Row A's condition for ISSUE includes that the surgery or procedure was not due to cancer.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
If asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation and this surgery/procedure was not due to cancer, and released for full duty: ISSUE
Released for full duty
Row A's condition for ISSUE includes that the pilot was released for full duty.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
If asymptomatic, or repaired, with no evidence of complications, incarceration or strangulation and this surgery/procedure was not due to cancer, and released for full duty: ISSUE
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.