Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
What the FAA's documents say about bone infection (osteomyelitis), in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
OSTEOMYELITIS (BONE INFECTION) All Classes
Short version
The disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AA single episode, fully resolved | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BAll others | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, fully resolved. If the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
A. Single episode fully resolved … If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
All others. The row names currently on antibiotics, 2 or more lifetime episodes, chronic or recurrent infection, and functional limitation or required amputation. 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. The table says that if not addressed in the progress note, the examiner should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
B. All others • Currently on antibiotics • 2 or more lifetime episodes • Chronic or recurrent infection • Functional limitation or required amputation … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Summarize findings in Item 60. If not addressed in the progress note, the AME should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
The FAA pathways for bone infection (osteomyelitis)
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: Row A: what the examiner determines
A single episode, fully resolved.For Row A, your AME determines whether the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties. If your AME can determine it, the table says ISSUE.
If the AME can determine
- The condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties
At the exam
- Your AME summarizes the findings in Item 60
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE
FAA source: Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
FAA source: Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection). FAA date 26 August 2026; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
If the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.Exam day- If the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Single episode fully resolved
If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
FAA source: Osteomyelitis (Bone Infection). FAA date 26 August 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
If the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties, 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. The table says that if not addressed in the progress note, the examiner should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
A single episode, fully resolved. If the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties, the table says ISSUE, and the examiner summarizes the findings in Item 60.
A. Single episode fully resolved … If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved with no residual sequelae which would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Summarize findings in Item 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
All others. The row names currently on antibiotics, 2 or more lifetime episodes, chronic or recurrent infection, and functional limitation or required amputation. 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. The table says that if not addressed in the progress note, the examiner should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
B. All others • Currently on antibiotics • 2 or more lifetime episodes • Chronic or recurrent infection • Functional limitation or required amputation … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance. Summarize findings in Item 60. If not addressed in the progress note, the AME should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row B, all others, DEFER. The row names currently on antibiotics, 2 or more lifetime episodes, chronic or recurrent infection, and functional limitation or required amputation.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or treating physician no more than 90 days before the exam.
- Item 2. Items the physician specifically addresses: the etiology or any underlying cause, with frequency of episodes and likelihood to reoccur, and any functional limitations. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, all others, DEFER. The row names currently on antibiotics, 2 or more lifetime episodes, chronic or recurrent infection, and functional limitation or required amputation.
B. All others • Currently on antibiotics • 2 or more lifetime episodes • Chronic or recurrent infection • Functional limitation or required amputation … 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 from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or treating physician no more than 90 days before the exam.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with an infectious disease specialist or treating physician no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
- Item 2
Items the physician specifically addresses: the etiology or any underlying cause, with frequency of episodes and likelihood to reoccur, and any functional limitations. The FAA's progress-note sheet says that when a letter uses the words "it must specifically include", they highlight specific items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note) for the physician to address.
2. It must specifically include: • Etiology or any underlying cause with frequency of episodes (chronic or recurrent) and likelihood to reoccur. • Any functional limitations.
“IT MUST SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE” If this language is in your letter, it is to highlight SPECIFIC items (that may or may not be part of a standard current, detailed Clinical Progress Note). Make sure your physician addresses these specific items important for medical certification or clearance.
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.
What Row B names
Row A is a single episode, fully resolved. Row B is all others, and names currently on antibiotics, 2 or more lifetime episodes, chronic or recurrent infection, and functional limitation or required amputation. The table marks Row B DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
A. Single episode fully resolved … B. All others • Currently on antibiotics • 2 or more lifetime episodes • Chronic or recurrent infection • Functional limitation or required amputation … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance.
Functional limitations, in the second item and the disposition
Row B's second item reads that it must specifically include any functional limitations. The disposition column says that if not addressed in the progress note, the examiner should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
2. It must specifically include: … • Any functional limitations. … If not addressed in the progress note, the AME should describe any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
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.