Services
1 st, 2nd & 3rd class exams
$180 for all classes. Includes review of the application, exam & processing, which takes about 30 - 45 minutes. Payment is expected at the time of the exam. Cash, check and credit cards accepted. Since an Aviation Exam is an administrative exam, we do not bill health insurances.
First and Second class exams require vision correctable to 20/20. Third class exams require vision correctable to 20/40. If this is your first exam and you wear contacts, bring a container and supplies to remove them during the exam. Bring glasses if you have them, just in case.
- Flight physicals are generally available by appointment Monday through Wednesday all day and Friday mornings. Other times may be available by contacting the office. The cost of the exam as of 5/2024 is $180, and an additional $70 if an EKG is required. (Subject to change without notice.)
- Bring two forms of i.d. (one with photo) on your first visit.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your initial visit to complete office paperwork.
- If you have any medical conditions or an FAA letter of instruction please remember to bring that letter and the necessary paperwork. Additional charges may apply for reviewing and processing supporting documentation.
- Complete your portion of the exam by creating a MedXpress account on the FAA website (link below) before arriving for your appointment. Save the application. We will need your confirmation number at the time of your appointment with Dr. Zwaan. Print or save your portion of the exam and bring it with you, in case we cannot access your application.
- Summarize your recent (less than 3 years) medical history with brief explanations in Item 19. Report previous and interval medical events or diagnoses in item 18 if applicable. Be prepared to provide documentation for any changes reportable in item 18. If in doubt, check with Dr. Zwaan before completion of your application.
- If you have any concerns or questions regarding your application, Dr. Zwaan provides FAA consultations for pilots with new or complicated medical conditions or problematic medications.
- Dr. Zwaan does not do BasicMed examinations.
ECG
$70 in addition to exam fee. For 1st class exams only. Baseline required after age 35, annually after age 40. Done on-site. Takes about 15 minutes.
Avoid bath oils or body lotions on the day of exam.
new/student pilot
$230 for exam and color vision testing. Per new FAA regulation, first time applicants require a computer based color vision test, which is done on-site. New applicants may require some extra time to review their medical history, which could result in a small additional fee. We will not bill your medical insurance.
- Bring two forms of i.d. (one with photo) on your first visit.
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your initial visit to complete office paperwork.
- Complete your portion of the exam by creating a MedXpress account on the FAA website (link above). Save the application. We will need your confirmation number at the time of your appointment with Dr. Zwaan. Print or save your portion of the exam and bring it with you, in case we cannot access your application.
- Arrive rested, well hydrated and prepared. Avoid large meals prior to your exam. Check our address in advance.
- Urine is tested for protein (kidney) and glucose (diabetes) only. Be prepared to "provide a donation".
- If you think you need corrective lenses to pass the vision test, consider an appointment with an optometrist or come see us in advance of your actual exam to avoid surprises or disappointment. Don't wait until your exam with me to find out you need glasses! If you wear contacts, bring a case and some glasses if possible. I may need to examine you without the contacts.
- If you have any concerns or questions regarding your application, Dr. Zwaan provides FAA consultations for pilots with new or complicated medical conditions or problematic medications.
color vision testing
$50 if done without exam. Waggoner Color Vision Testing provided on site. Required for first time applicants.
Special Issuance and CACI assistance
A fee may be charged commensurate with the amount of time and paperwork required.
- Bring your special issuance (SI or AASI) or waiver letters if you are a new applicant to our practice.
- Carefully follow instructions per the letter, and bring all required reports to the exam or possibly submit them prior to your exam. Incomplete documentation can significantly delay issuance.
- We can review & forward reports directly to the FAA on your behalf for a fee. (Alternatively, you can send them by US mail yourself. Uploaded documents are immediately available to the FAA, whereas mailed documents may take 2-3 weeks for the FAA to process.)
- Many conditions require a Current (within 90 days), Detailed Clinical Progress Note ("DCPN"). This means a recent complete office note from the treating physician. (A short letter, note or summary generally will not suffice.)
- Many common conditions and their medications (such as hypertension, hypothyroidism, pre-diabetes) can be issued a medical certificate by the AME (CACI).
- A CACI condition can usually be issued at the time of the exam, but still requires some basic documentation from the treating physician.
- A complete list of CACI conditions and the associated requirements can be found on the FAA website by simply searching for "FAA CACI conditions".
- Check the requirements and have them available for me to review.
Consult
$50/15 minutes, $200/hour. Available in person or remotely by phone. Have an informal conversation to learn about applicable protocols, or bring all relevant reports for my review if you wish. Can be done before or in conjunction with an exam.
- If an applicant does not meet the requirements for an exam, your application will be deferred.
- Deferred examinations often require additional documentation which will be reviewed by the FAA medical certification division.
- If necessary or requested, I will serve as your advocate during this process.
- Additional services after the exam may be billed according to the time and effort required.