Transportation & The License To Fly
THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IS tasked with ensuring passenger safety on all flights. This responsibility requires a meticulous pilot screening process that can prove more difficult for some pilots — specifically when they happen to be transgender.
Daniel Alvarez
When pilots identify themselves as transgender — or “gender dysphoric” — the FAA requires that they submit additional paperwork for review. This paperwork must include copies of the applicant’s medical history, including all information regarding their so-called Gender Identity Disorder. The reviewing of these documents could take weeks, even months.
Jessica Taylor, an airline transport pilot for a regional airline in Denver, has experienced this first hand. After submitting an application for her first-class medical certificate, she was faced with the possibility of losing her license because she’s transgender.
“I submitted all my information to the FAA on November 14, 2014,” Jessica says. “That went to Oklahoma City.” All applications for a first-class medical certificate go to the Aerospace Medical Certification Division in Oklahoma City before being passed along to the FAA in Washington D.C.
“I got a letter saying it was going to D.C. for further evaluation,” she says. “When I called D.C. they said, ‘Guess what? You’re looking at 6-12 months.’ My medical [certification] was expiring in two months, so I was going to be grounded.”
This is the reality for transgender pilots attempting to obtain their first-class medical certificate. The FAA grounds these pilots, without pay, until they can furnish additional documents.
“The first requirement is a letter from a doctor stating what medications you’re on, the dosages, and any known side effects,” Jessica says. “Any surgical things that were done need to be documented, as well as [anything] post-treatment. And you must have a psychological evaluation from a board-certified Ph.D or licensed psychologist experienced in transgender issues.”
All these requirements must be fulfilled before the FAA will even begin the evaluation and provide the pilot with a first-class medical certificate. The applicant must also cover out-of-pocket costs while being grounded throughout the process.
“A mainstream pilot does a quick medical examination for a first-class medical [certificate],” Jessica says. “It’s fairly simple.” However, for Jessica and other transgender persons like her, the process can include several visits to a psychologist to obtain a psychological profile clearing them of any mental health concerns. “It gets really pricey and a lot of pilots can’t afford that because we just got done with school.”
Jessica was aware of how lengthy process could be and took a very methodical approach when applying. She was as transparent as possible, and provided the FAA with all the information they would need to complete her review. Regardless, she was still subject to a lengthy wait.
Being out of work was not an option. Determined to get her certification, she turned to Congresswoman Diana DeGette.
“Jessica contacted our office for assistance and we inquired with the FAA about her case,” Rep. Diana DeGette says. “We resubmitted her information to them and asked that they investigate and consider this matter. I know the LGBT community faces some unique challenges like this and I am happy to help wherever I can.”
On December 3, 2014, Jessica received a call from the FAA. “I got a call back from Dr. Duvall saying, ‘We received your package and it was quite impressive. We want to let you know that we issued your special issuance and it’s on its way.’”
This news meant that Jessica was able to keep her license and was cleared to fly.
Jessica is the first transgender pilot to have navigated the Federal Aviation Aeromedical Administration without being grounded, and now she is working to help streamline the process for others.
“It’s pretty significant,” Jessica says. “But it’s changing quick. The tempo at the aeromedical office in Washington D.C. is incredible.”
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