Expert: Ismar Avdic, Eng. - 7/14/2010

Question
Dear Mr. Avdic:

I have a four-year Communications degree, currently unemployed, looking at becoming a commercial pilot.  I have, unfortunately, one blemish on my police record: a Driving While Impaired in 2006.  Would this preclude me from any commercial pilot position?

Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Brad,
You record for driving impaired is an definetelly strong argument for denining you an medical certificate that you have to have renew every year as an commercial pilot. However, if you do deligent disclosure that information on medical for your license, you will be denied an license in begining, however in short after all proceeding and FAA adminstrative methods, and hoops to jump you will be able to get an medical cert. that will give you chance to exercise pilot priveleges. Now, again depends what kind of substance you have been impaired and driving. But in either case after lot of procedures and some lawer work you can get your medical. Now regarding the companies thta will hire you with that record is another difficult issue. It really depends from airline to airline. However, one of my colleges had same issue on his driving license 6 years ago and he actually managed to get an pilot job with an regional airline. It was tough, but he did come up clean and disclose all information in an letter when applied, he got job.
So it is possible...

The best of luck
Ismar