Definition
A discretionary medical certificate issued by the FAA Federal Air Surgeon to an applicant who does not meet the standard medical requirements for a first-, second-, or third-class certificate, but whose condition has been evaluated and judged not to pose a hazard to safe flight. The authorization is time-limited, valid only for a specified period, and typically requires ongoing medical monitoring, follow-up reports, and periodic reevaluation as conditions of continued validity.
Plain English
A special permission slip from the FAA that lets a pilot fly even though they have a medical condition that would normally disqualify them. It comes with conditions, has an expiry date, and usually requires the pilot to send in regular medical updates.
Context Anchor
Encountered when applying for or renewing an FAA medical certificate after reporting a medical condition, medication, or medical history that needs FAA review.
Derivation
‘Special Issuance’ literally means a non-standard granting of the certificate. ‘Issuance’ comes from the Latin ‘exire’ — to go out — meaning something that is given out or released. The FAA is ‘issuing’ the medical on special terms rather than the usual ones.
Why Pilots Care
It gives pilots with certain medical histories a formal path to keep or regain flying privileges instead of being permanently grounded.
Intuition Check
Do not read “special” as automatic leniency or a permanent pass. It means the FAA has reviewed one specific medical situation and has allowed a certificate to be issued under specific terms.
Example Sentence 1
After his cardiac event, the pilot worked with his AME for several months and was eventually granted a Special Issuance Authorization, allowing him to return to flying under regular cardiology follow-up.
Example Sentence 2
Without the Special Issuance Authorization the pilot would have been unable to renew the medical certificate after the heart procedure.