Definition
A specific list of medical conditions identified in 14 CFR Part 67 that prevent the FAA from issuing a medical certificate to a pilot applicant under standard procedures. The conditions currently include angina pectoris, bipolar disease, cardiac valve replacement, coronary heart disease that has been treated or is symptomatic, diabetes mellitus requiring insulin or other hypoglycemic medications, disturbance of consciousness without satisfactory medical explanation, epilepsy, heart replacement, myocardial infarction, permanent cardiac pacemaker, personality disorder severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts, psychosis, substance abuse, substance dependence, and transient loss of control of nervous system functions without satisfactory medical explanation.
Plain English
A defined list of health problems that, by regulation, automatically stop the FAA from issuing a pilot medical certificate through normal channels. If an applicant has one of these, the standard answer is no -- though a special review process may still allow them to fly.
Context Anchor
Seen when applying for or renewing an FAA medical certificate, and when deciding whether a new diagnosis, symptom, or medication must be reported before flying.
Derivation
Disqualify comes from Latin dis- (not, away from) plus qualify (to make fit). A disqualifying condition is one that, by rule, makes a person not fit for the privilege being applied for -- in this case, the medical certificate required to act as pilot.
Why Pilots Care
These conditions determine whether a pilot can legally exercise certificate privileges and must be identified early to avoid wasted training costs.
Grounding Statement
A disqualifying medical condition is a health issue serious enough that the FAA may need to say, “Not cleared to fly yet,” until it is reviewed.
Intuition Check
Disqualifying does not mean every illness or diagnosis ends a pilot’s flying permanently. In FAA medical use, it means the condition can block medical certification unless the FAA decides the risk is acceptable.
Example Sentence 1
Because diabetes treated with insulin is on the list of disqualifying medical conditions, the applicant worked with his AME to gather the records needed for a Special Issuance review.
Example Sentence 2
A history of certain cardiac events appears on the disqualifying medical conditions list and requires special issuance consideration.