Polio
What the FAA's documents say about polio, in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Polio (Poliomyelitis)Covers: All classes
Show the FAA's words: which classes the FAA's table covers
POLIO (Poliomyelitis) All Classes
Short version
The disposition table has two rows, each for any history of polio including post-polio syndrome.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Row AAny history, with NO functional limitation | Examiner issues | Examiner can issue |
| Row BWith functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety | Defers to the FAA | Special Issuance |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Polio
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Any history of polio, including post-polio syndrome, with NO functional limitation. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition is under control, no medications are needed, and the individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation (as printed) aircraft controls or perform safety related duties. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
A. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with NO functional limitation … If the AME can determine • The condition is under control, • No medications are needed, AND • The individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation aircraft controls or perform safety related duties: … ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Any history of polio, including post-polio syndrome, with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
B. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
The FAA pathways for polio
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
Any history, including post-polio syndrome, with NO functional limitation.For Row A, your AME determines the findings the table lists. If your AME can determine them, the table says ISSUE.
If the AME can determine
- The condition is under control
- No medications are needed
- No functional limitations that could affect your ability to operation (as printed) aircraft controls or perform safety related duties
At the exam
- Your AME annotates this information in Block 60
Show the FAA's words: Row A: what the examiner determines
If the AME can determine • The condition is under control, • No medications are needed, AND • The individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation aircraft controls or perform safety related duties:
ISSUE
FAA source: Polio. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Polio. FAA date 25 January 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
Step 2: See your AME
The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition is under control, no medications are needed, and the individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation (as printed) aircraft controls or perform safety related duties. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.Exam day- The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition is under control, no medications are needed, and the individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation (as printed) aircraft controls or perform safety related duties. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
Show the FAA's words: See your AME
A. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with NO functional limitation
If the AME can determine • The condition is under control, • No medications are needed, AND • The individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation aircraft controls or perform safety related duties:
ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
FAA source: Polio. FAA date 25 January 2023; 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 is under control, no medications are needed, and the individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation (as printed) aircraft controls or perform safety related duties. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
Row BDefers to the FAASpecial Issuance
The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Row A · Examiner can issue
Any history of polio, including post-polio syndrome, with NO functional limitation. The table says ISSUE if the examiner can determine the condition is under control, no medications are needed, and the individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation (as printed) aircraft controls or perform safety related duties. The examiner annotates this information in Block 60.
A. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with NO functional limitation … If the AME can determine • The condition is under control, • No medications are needed, AND • The individual has no functional limitations that could affect their ability to operation aircraft controls or perform safety related duties: … ISSUE Annotate this information in Block 60.
- Row B · Special Issuance
Any history of polio, including post-polio syndrome, with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties. The table lists what to submit for FAA review, and the examiner defers and submits the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
B. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties … Submit the following for FAA review: … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
If the examiner defersSpecial Issuance
The table marks Row B, any history including post-polio syndrome with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties, DEFER.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist no more than 90 days before the exam.
- Item 2. Row B's second item: it must include the components of a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE).
- Item 3. If not addressed in the clinical progress note, the AME's description of any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks Row B, any history including post-polio syndrome with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties, DEFER.
B. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties … DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current, detailed clinical progress note from a clinic visit with a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist no more than 90 days before the exam.
1. A current, detailed Clinical Progress Note generated from a clinic visit with a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist no more than 90 days before the AME exam.
- Item 2
Row B's second item: it must include the components of a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE).
2. It must include the components of a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE).
- Item 3
If not addressed in the clinical progress note, the AME's description of any functional limitations that could affect the pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
3. If not addressed in the Clinical Progress Note, the AME should describe any functional limitations that could affect the … pilot's ability to operate aircraft controls.
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.
How each row words functional limitation
Row A is any history with NO functional limitation. Row B is any history with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties. This page shows both rows as printed.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
A. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with NO functional limitation … B. Polio Any history including post-polio syndrome with functional limitation that could interfere with flight or safety related duties
Row B names a Special Issuance or SODA
Row B's disposition is DEFER, to submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA. The table does not spell out SODA.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 3
DEFER Submit the information to the FAA for a possible Special Issuance or SODA.
A Medical Flight Test may be required
Row B's note says that if functional capacity is limited, a Medical Flight Test (MFT) may be required, and to specify on the exam the FSDO location the pilot wants to use for the MFT. After naming the Medical Flight Test, the note says "See that page".
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 4
Note: If functional capacity is limited, a Medical Flight Test (MFT) may be required. See that page. Specify on the exam the FSDO location the pilot wants to use for the MFT.
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.