Problems have existed for years
Criticism of the aviation medical administration of the Federal Aviation Administration is not new.
In previous years, DAeC, AOPA-Germany and DULV had repeatedly pointed out the long processing times involved. Particularly problematic are so-called referral cases, in which a medical aviation expert cannot make a fitness assessment decision himself and the process must be handed over to the competent authority.
This could have significant consequences for the affected pilot. As long as no final decision has been made, the pilot's activities may be partially or even completely restricted.
This applies to both private and professional pilots.
Four months on average for professional pilots
The seriousness with which the issue is taken was shown in early 2026 at a round table meeting at the Federal Ministry of Transport.
Industry representatives reported there that referral procedures for professional pilots can take an average of around four months. This results in significant costs for airlines and other aviation companies when crew members cannot be deployed for extended periods.
Even more serious is the uncertainty for the affected parties themselves. In addition to the economic damage, the question arises as to when a decision can actually be expected.
This lack of predictability has been one of the central points of criticism for years.
DAeC wants to create a complete picture from individual cases
With the new initiative, DAeC is now pursuing a more systematic approach.
Instead of receiving individual complaints exclusively, the cases are to be recorded according to uniform criteria.
In particular, questions such as:
How long does a procedure take?
When did the LBA last react?
Which documents were requested?
At what point does a process come to a standstill?
Are there certain groups of cases where delays regularly recur?
As few individual reports as possible should result in clearly describable problem areas.
No medical data required
An important point of the initiative is data protection.
The DAeC expressly requests that no medical documents, diagnoses, findings, or information regarding medications be submitted.
Only the administrative process itself is to be recorded.
These include, for example:
- Start of the proceedings
- LBA file number
- previous processing time
- Last reaction from the LBA
- Nature of the procedural problem
This is intended to prevent the collection of unnecessarily sensitive health data.
The notification does not replace a legal remedy.
Pilots should also note that the notification to the DAeC does not constitute a formal complaint against the LBA.
It does not replace applications, deadlines or legal remedies.
Therefore, anyone who is involved in an ongoing procedure must continue to ensure that they comply with all deadlines applicable to the LBA.
The DAeC also does not provide individual legal or medical advice.
There has already been great resonance around the topic earlier.
The extent of dissatisfaction with the procedures was already shown by an earlier petition.
More than 14,000 people at the time supported calls for improvements in flight medicine management. In the corresponding feedback, processing times of months or even years were often described.
The associations subsequently repeatedly raised the issue with politicians and authorities.
In the meantime, there were indications that individual long-standing cases were being processed more quickly. However, the associations still do not appear to see a sustainable structural solution.
Why flight medicine is particularly sensitive
Flight medical decisions are situated in a difficult tensioning situation.
On the one hand, the authority must ensure that health risks to air traffic are reliably assessed.
On the other hand, lengthy administrative procedures have immediate consequences for pilots.
For private pilots, this can mean being unable to fly for many months. For professional pilots, economic survival may depend on a timely decision.
That is precisely why transparent processes and comprehensible processing times are important.
Flight safety also plays a role
The discussion does not only concern administrative efficiency.
Industry representatives have repeatedly pointed out that very lengthy procedures can damage confidence in the system.
This is problematic from a safety-related perspective. A functioning aviation medical system depends on pilots reporting any health changes openly and seeking medical advice early on.
Conversely, if the fear arises that even a medical examination could lead to months-long administrative problems, there is a risk of unwanted adverse effects.
Therefore, rapid and reliable management is also part of a functioning safety culture.
What DAeC wants to achieve with the data
The association does not want to simply publish the collected cases.
Instead, recurring patterns are to be identified and then addressed specifically to the LBA.
Possible problems include, for example, the following areas:
- exceptionally long processing times
- missing intermediate information
- Repeated demands for payment
- undefined responsibilities
- Communication problems
- Uncoordinated procedures
If such patterns can be substantiated through many cases, a significantly stronger basis for discussions with the authorities and politicians will emerge than through individual complaints.
Specific cases only with consent
When a specific procedure is to be referred to the LBA as an example, this, according to the DAeC, only takes place with the consent of the person concerned.
Then the corresponding file number can also be used.
This is intended to make a structural problem understandable through a concrete procedure, without the association itself assuming the role of a legal representative.
Conclusion
The new survey by the DAeC shows that the problems surrounding aviation medical procedures at the Federal Aviation Administration continue to be considered unresolved.
After petitions, discussions among associations and the round-table meeting at the Ministry of Transport, the next step is now being taken: from the many individual experiences, a reliable data base is to be created.
For affected pilots, the initiative offers the opportunity to anonymize their process flow or to incorporate it into a larger overall picture in a more data-saving manner.
What will be crucial is whether concrete and measurable improvements can be achieved: more transparent processes, more reliable communication, and above all shorter processing times.
Because for both pilots and aviation safety, a medical system is only effective when professional diligence and functional management come together.
Source references:
DAEC
