Pectus excavatum
What the FAA's documents say about pectus excavatum, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
PECTUS EXCAVATUM All Classes
Short version
The FAA's table sorts it into two rows.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAsymptomatic, mild, or surgically corrected | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BSymptomatic, or affects cardiac or pulmonary function | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Pectus excavatum
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Pectus excavatum that is asymptomatic, mild, or surgically corrected. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60. It adds that if any underlying cause is found, see that section.
A. Asymptomatic; Mild; OR Surgically corrected If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60. If any underlying cause is found, see that section.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Pectus excavatum that is symptomatic, or that affects cardiac or pulmonary function. 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. Symptomatic OR Affects cardiac or pulmonary function 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.
- A note on the table, 1
Row A's disposition says that if any underlying cause is found, see that section. It does not name the section.
If any underlying cause is found, see that section.
The FAA pathways for pectus excavatum
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
Asymptomatic, mild, or surgically corrected.For Row A, your AME determines whether the condition has fully resolved without sequelae, with no symptoms or current problems that 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 without sequelae
- No symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties
At the exam
- Your AME annotates this information in Block 60
If any underlying cause is found
The table says to see that section, and does not name it.
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE
FAA source: Pectus Excavatum. FAA date 28 August 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Pectus Excavatum. FAA date 28 August 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
If any underlying cause is found, see that section.
FAA source: Pectus Excavatum. FAA date 28 August 2024; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60. It adds that if any underlying cause is found, see that section.Exam day- The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60. It adds that if any underlying cause is found, see that section.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Asymptomatic; Mild; OR Surgically corrected If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60. If any underlying cause is found, see that section.
FAA source: Pectus Excavatum. FAA date 28 August 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
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60. It adds that if any underlying cause is found, see that section.
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
Pectus excavatum that is asymptomatic, mild, or surgically corrected. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties, and has the examiner annotate this information in Block 60. It adds that if any underlying cause is found, see that section.
A. Asymptomatic; Mild; OR Surgically corrected If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60. If any underlying cause is found, see that section.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Pectus excavatum that is symptomatic, or that affects cardiac or pulmonary function. 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. Symptomatic OR Affects cardiac or pulmonary function 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, symptomatic, or affects cardiac or pulmonary function, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. The most recent, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician, including what the table lists.
- Item 2. Copies of any testing already performed, such as pulmonary function tests, a cardiac echo, a cardiac MRI, stress testing, etc.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, symptomatic, or affects cardiac or pulmonary function, DEFER.
B. Symptomatic OR Affects cardiac or pulmonary function … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
The most recent, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician, including what the table lists.
1. The most recent, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician. It must include:
- Item 2
Copies of any testing already performed, such as pulmonary function tests, a cardiac echo, a cardiac MRI, stress testing, etc.
2. Copies of any testing already performed such as pulmonary function tests, cardiac echo, cardiac MRI, stress testing, etc.
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.
Row A rests on what the examiner can determine
Row A is pectus excavatum that is asymptomatic, mild, or surgically corrected. For each, the table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
A. Asymptomatic; Mild; OR Surgically corrected If the AME can determine the condition has fully resolved without sequelae with no symptoms or current problems that would interfere with flight duties: ISSUE
The most recent progress note
For Row B the table asks for the most recent, detailed clinical progress note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician. It does not give a number of days for that visit.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
1. The most recent, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with the treating physician.
Symptoms, or an effect on cardiac or pulmonary function, is Row B
Row B is pectus excavatum that is symptomatic, or that affects cardiac or pulmonary function, and the table marks it DEFER.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
B. Symptomatic OR Affects cardiac or pulmonary function … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance
If an underlying cause is found
Row A's disposition says that if any underlying cause is found, see that section. It does not name the section.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
If any underlying cause is found, see that section.
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.
- Pectus ExcavatumOpen to print: Pectus Excavatum, a PDF at the FAA, in a new tab
Examiner can issue, Special Issuance
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.