Motion sickness
What the FAA's documents say about motion sickness, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Short version
The Guide's table for motion sickness asks for all pertinent medical information and a current status report.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Flight training, resolvedOccurred during flight training and resolved | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Requires medicationThe condition requires medication | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Motion sickness
- Flight training, resolved · Examiner can issue
The motion sickness occurred during flight training and resolved. The table's disposition is Issue.
If occurred during flight training and resolved - Issue
- Requires medication · FAA review
The condition requires medication. The table says this requires an FAA decision.
If condition requires medication - Requires FAA Decision
The FAA pathways for motion sickness
- How this pathway works: Examiner can issueNo special pathwayFlight training, resolved
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Requires medication
Your plan
Step 1: Medical information and a status report
The evaluation data the table lists for motion sickness.All pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Show the FAA's words: Medical information and a status report
Motion Sickness Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
FAA source: Motion Sickness. FAA date 29 November 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
It depends on which row of the FAA's table describes the case.
Flight training, resolvedExaminer issuesExaminer can issue
The table's disposition is Issue.
Requires medicationDefers to the FAAFAA review
The table says this requires an FAA decision.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Flight training, resolved · Examiner can issue
The motion sickness occurred during flight training and resolved. The table's disposition is Issue.
If occurred during flight training and resolved - Issue
- Requires medication · FAA review
The condition requires medication. The table says this requires an FAA decision.
If condition requires medication - Requires FAA Decision
If the examiner defersFAA review
Where the condition requires medication, the table says it requires an FAA decision.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. All pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
Where the condition requires medication, the table says it requires an FAA decision.
If condition requires medication - Requires FAA Decision
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
All pertinent medical information and a current status report.
Motion Sickness Submit all pertinent medical information and current status report
Good to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
Medication means an FAA decision
The table says that if the condition requires medication, it requires an FAA decision.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
If condition requires medication - Requires FAA Decision
What a status report must include
The FAA's sheet on progress notes says any reference to a status report equals its criteria. In most cases the note 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. 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.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
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.
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.