keep up to date with AVIATION Industry NEWS
Breaking Aviation News - August 2025
Sickle Cell Disease, FAA Certification, and the Future of Aviation
A Landmark Case in Louisiana
An aspiring Louisiana pilot recently made headlines as the first patient in the state to undergo gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), a groundbreaking treatment with the potential to eliminate the condition and its associated risks. While his name and personal details are not essential here, his story underscores a broader question: What does SCD mean for pilots and flight certification?
📄 Read the original news story: Louisiana Illuminator article
FAA's Perspective on SCD & Hypoxia Risk
The FAA identifies hypoxia—a lack of adequate oxygen in the blood—as a major concern for pilots with certain medical conditions, including SCD. From the FAA Safety Briefing (Sept/Oct 2021):
“Factors that adversely affect the oxygen carrying capacity of blood include… abnormal hemoglobin (sickle cell disease, thalassemia)… Oxygen is carried in the blood primarily on the hemoglobin molecule… At altitude, the amount of available oxygen decreases, and this can lead to impaired performance or incapacitation.”
Early AME Consultation Recommended – Working with an Aviation Medical Examiner early in training helps pilots understand any special requirements and plan for certification. At AeroMed Exams, Dr. D. James Schumer, MD, AME, provides expert guidance to help pilots with SCD (and other conditions) successfully navigate FAA medical standards.
Bottom line: With medical progress and FAA pathways, sickle cell disease doesn’t have to be the end of a pilot’s dream—it’s a challenge that can be addressed with the right care, documentation, and expert support.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did You Know?
Your FAA Pilot Certificate Information May Be Public?
Under the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century and other federal laws,
the FAA is required to make airmen certificate information publicly available.
This means that certain details about your certification can be accessed in the FAA database.
✈️ While your certificate details cannot be withheld,
you do have the option to keep your address private.
✅ If you’re unsure whether your address is public or private, you can:
- Check your current settings in the FAA database.
- Update your preference to either include or remove your address.
🖥️ To update your privacy settings online, you’ll need to register with the FAA’s online services.
📬 Or, you can send a request by mail.
👉 Protect your privacy and make sure your information is displayed the way you want it!
New 2025 requirements for aviation color vision testing.
FAA updates on color vision testing (Jan 2025)
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025: Approved computer-based aviation color vision screening tests will be required for pilot exams performed on 01/01/2025 and after. *Please call AeroMed Exams in Columbus, Ohio with any questions regarding your FAA Class 2 & 3 Medical Certificate.