Here are a few things I hope you’ll find useful as you choose an aviation medical examiner. The whole process of having a flight physical can be more than a little intimidating. All of us—no matter how healthy we may be—have probably had at least a few reasons to see a doctor over the years. And, all of us tend to wonder whether those issues might just jump up and cause a problem during our next flight physical. That’s why visiting with an aviation medical examiner shouldn’t just be about the physical itself. Instead, it should be a time to develop a relationship with a person who really understands exactly what your concerns are and can eliminate the mystery. It’s all about finding someone with the experience to steer you away from avoidable pitfalls and to be a great advocate for you and your flying. Far from being just a physical exam, a good AME should help replace your uncertainty with confidence.

Let’s look at a few common myths and misunderstandings many pilots have come to believe.

MYTH #1: “The FAA just wants to deny medical certificates.”

Myth Dispelled: The truth is that the FAA is staffed by a lot of dedicated people who really do want to certify pilots to fly, as long as they meet certain standards. And, if they don’t, the FAA’s mission is to help those pilots and their AMEs navigate that medical issue in a way that allows the pilot to get certificated. During several conversations I’ve had with FAA representatives over the years, the approach they typically take is one of, “How do we get to yes?” What’s critical is having the right person at your side–the right aviation medical examiner–to help you through this process.

MYTH #2: “Disclosing mental health conditions will hurt your flying career.”

Myth Dispelled: You can both get medically certified to fly and also get help if you run into mental health concerns. The FAA has really made mental health in pilots a big priority, and it really shows. They realize that any of us can go through life events that may cause difficulties or may even require the use of a medicine. The good news is that in most cases, pilots really can both get help without having any reason to be fearful of jeopardizing their ability to fly.

MYTH #3: “Almost any medical condition can result in a denial.”

Myth Dispelled: Thankfully, this isn’t true at all. If you have a medical issue, you’re in pretty good company. In fact, the number of medical conditions with which a pilot can still get a medical certificate is expanding all the time. The FAA is always in the process of writing new guidelines that allow pilots to keep flying—in many cases, without even needing a formal special issuance. What’s critical is that pilots have an aviation medical examiner who is able to demystify the certification process and help them to get certified.

MYTH #4: “If you see a psychologist, you’ll be grounded.”

Myth Dispelled: I’m happy to say, this isn’t even close to being true. The FAA has worked diligently to develop approaches and guidelines that address mental health counseling, among other issues. They even allow pilots who use medicines for conditions such as anxiety and depression to fly in many cases. What’s important is to have an experienced and knowledgeable AME to help you through this process.

MYTH #5: “It’s not good if your medical certificate gets deferred to the FAA.”

Myth Dispelled: In most cases, a pilot’s medical certificate can be issued immediately following the examination. It’s always great when we can do that. But every once in a while, the FAA needs to review medical records before a medical certificate can be issued. The good news is that almost all of the pilots whose medical certificates need to be deferred will qualify to have them issued by the FAA. This process can sometimes take several months, but it’s really pretty rare for the FAA to say no. What’s critical is that an experienced AME can sometimes avoid having to defer a certificate in cases in which deferral wasn’t necessary in the first place. And, if deferral cannot be avoided, then the right AME can help to hasten the length of time it takes for the FAA to process that case.

I hope this information helps to give you a better understanding of the medical certification process and the advantages of having an experienced aviation medical examiner who is a strong advocate for you.