Pancreatitis
What the FAA's documents say about pancreatitis, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Short version
The disposition table has two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AGallstone pancreatitis, a single episode resolved | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BAny others, such as the causes the row lists | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Pancreatitis
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Gallstone pancreatitis, a single episode, resolved. The row's evaluation data is a 1-month recovery period after release from the treating physician, and specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment. The table says ISSUE, and has the examiner summarize this history in Block 60.
A. Gallstone pancreatitis Single episode resolved 1 month recovery period after release from treating physician. Must have specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment: … ISSUE Summarize this history in Block 60.
- Row B · FAA review
Any others, such as alcohol induced or a contributing factor, CBD stricture/stenosis, chronic pancreatitis, recurrent pancreatitis, retained stones, secondary to elevated triglycerides, etiology unknown, or other causes. After a 3-month recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for review. The table says follow-up issuance will be per the pilot's own authorization letter.
B. Any others such as: • Alcohol induced or contributing factor • CBD stricture/stenosis • Chronic pancreatitis • Recurrent pancreatitis • Retained stones • Secondary to elevated triglycerides • Etiology unknown • Other causes … 3 month recovery period then Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for review. Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter
- A note on the table, 1
The table's first note says it applies to clinical pancreatitis only, not to isolated elevations in amylase or lipase due to a concurrent illness.
1. This applies to CLINICAL PANCREATITIS ONLY, not isolated elevations in amylase/lipase due to a concurrent illness.
- A note on the table, 2
The table's second note says gallstone pancreatitis with retained stones should NOT be certified by the AME, as the risk of recurrent pancreatitis with incapacitation remains. It adds, in brackets, that the applicant may have had an endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) with ampulotomy and opened the CBD, but that the etiology of the pancreatitis (residual stone, microlith or sludge) is likely not resolved without cholecystectomy.
2. Gallstone pancreatitis with retained stones should NOT be certified by AME as the risk of recurrent pancreatitis with incapacitation remains. (Applicant may have had an endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) with ampulotomy and opened the CBD but etiology of pancreatitis (residual stone/microlith/sludge) likely not resolved without cholecystectomy).
The FAA pathways for pancreatitis
- How this pathway works: Examiner can issueNo special pathwayRow A
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Row B
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: Definitive treatment, documented
Row A: a 1-month recovery period, and documentation from GS or GI.Specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment.
It verifies
- Alcohol ruled out as a contributing factor, via hospital records or the treating physician's determination; if not available, the AME should screen
- The common bile duct (CBD) was cleared of stones or debris
- Cholecystectomy
- Off all pain medications
Show the FAA's words: Definitive treatment, documented
Must have specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment: • Alcohol must be ruled out as a contributing factor (via hospital records or treating physician determination. If not available, AME should screen). • Common Bile Duct (CBD) was cleared of stones/debris; • Cholecystectomy; and • Off all pain medications
FAA source: Pancreatitis Disposition Table. FAA date 24 June 2020; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
A. Gallstone pancreatitis Single episode resolved 1 month recovery period after release from treating physician.
FAA source: Pancreatitis Disposition Table. FAA date 24 June 2020; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Summarize this history in Block 60.
FAA source: Pancreatitis Disposition Table. FAA date 24 June 2020; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table says ISSUE, and has the examiner summarize this history in Block 60.Exam day- The table says ISSUE, and has the examiner summarize this history in Block 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Gallstone pancreatitis Single episode resolved 1 month recovery period after release from treating physician. Must have specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment:
ISSUE Summarize this history in Block 60.
FAA source: Pancreatitis Disposition Table. FAA date 24 June 2020; 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 table says ISSUE, and has the examiner summarize this history in Block 60.
Row BDefers to the FAAFAA review
After a 3-month recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for review. The table says follow-up issuance will be per the pilot's own authorization letter.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Gallstone pancreatitis, a single episode, resolved. The row's evaluation data is a 1-month recovery period after release from the treating physician, and specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment. The table says ISSUE, and has the examiner summarize this history in Block 60.
A. Gallstone pancreatitis Single episode resolved 1 month recovery period after release from treating physician. Must have specific documentation from General Surgery (GS) or Gastroenterology (GI) verifying definitive treatment: … ISSUE Summarize this history in Block 60.
- Row B · FAA review
Any others, such as alcohol induced or a contributing factor, CBD stricture/stenosis, chronic pancreatitis, recurrent pancreatitis, retained stones, secondary to elevated triglycerides, etiology unknown, or other causes. After a 3-month recovery period, the table lists what to submit for FAA review. The examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for review. The table says follow-up issuance will be per the pilot's own authorization letter.
B. Any others such as: • Alcohol induced or contributing factor • CBD stricture/stenosis • Chronic pancreatitis • Recurrent pancreatitis • Retained stones • Secondary to elevated triglycerides • Etiology unknown • Other causes … 3 month recovery period then Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for review. Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter
If the examiner defersFAA review
The table's row B is any others, such as the causes it lists, and the table marks it DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current status report from the treating gastroenterologist (GI) describing what the table lists.
- Item 2. A current medication list.
- Item 3. Labs, at minimum amylase and lipase, from the hospital admission, the discharge, and the current evaluation.
- Item 4. Operative notes, the admission H&P and the discharge summary, if applicable.
- Item 5. Results of MRI/CT or other imaging, if performed.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table's row B is any others, such as the causes it lists, and the table marks it DEFER.
B. Any others such as: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for review.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current status report from the treating gastroenterologist (GI) describing what the table lists.
Current status report from treating Gastroenterologist (GI) describing:
- Item 2
A current medication list.
Current Medication list
- Item 3
Labs, at minimum amylase and lipase, from the hospital admission, the discharge, and the current evaluation.
Lab (minimum amylase and lipase, from hospital admission, discharge, and current evaluation;
- Item 4
Operative notes, the admission H&P and the discharge summary, if applicable.
Operative notes, admission H&P and discharge summary, if applicable; and
- Item 5
Results of MRI/CT or other imaging, if performed.
Results of MRI/CT or other imaging, if performed.
After the FAA decides
The table says follow-up issuance will be per the pilot's own authorization letter.
Show the FAA's words: after the FAA decides
Follow up Issuance Will be per the airman’s authorization letter
Good 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.
Retained stones are not certified by the examiner
The table's second note says gallstone pancreatitis with retained stones should NOT be certified by the AME, as the risk of recurrent pancreatitis with incapacitation remains. Retained stones are also one of the causes row B lists.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
2. Gallstone pancreatitis with retained stones should NOT be certified by AME as the risk of recurrent pancreatitis with incapacitation remains. … Retained stones
Clinical pancreatitis only
The table's first note says it applies to clinical pancreatitis only, not to isolated elevations in amylase or lipase due to a concurrent illness.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
1. This applies to CLINICAL PANCREATITIS ONLY, not isolated elevations in amylase/lipase due to a concurrent illness.
The two rows have different recovery periods
Row A's recovery period is 1 month after release from the treating physician. Row B's is 3 months, then the submission for FAA review.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
1 month recovery period after release from treating physician. … 3 month recovery period then Submit the following for FAA review:
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.