1.  I am a licensed pilot and just received a DUI/DWI.  Do I have to notify the FAA and if so how do I go about         doing that and what do I tell them?

According to FAA regulations you are required to notify the FAA Security & Investigations Division within 60 days of any "conviction" resulting from a DUI/DWI offense.  Please go to the REFERENCE tab of this website and click on "FAA Airman DUI/DWI Program" and this site will give you the proper procedures to follow.

2.  I have heard of the HIMS program.  What is it?

The HIMS (Human Intervention & Motivation Study) program was developed by the FAA, the Airlines and the airline unions to assist a Part 121 pilot back to the cockpit upon successful completion of rehabilitation, usually in less than one year.  For a complete explanation of this program, refer to the REFERENCE tab of this website where you will find several topics in this area.

3.  I am a corporate pilot.  Can I participate in the HIMS program?

Although the HIMS program was developed initially for Part 121 Airline Pilots, some corporations are warming to this program and utilize it.  The REFERENCE tab has an article on this subject.

4.  I am a military pilot.  Can I belong to Birds of a Feather and will it benefit me?

As stated on our HOME page, Birds of a Feather is for all pilots and cockpit crewmembers, whether airline, corporate, private or military.  You will certainly benefit from participating in Birds of a Feather meetings.  There is an excellent selection for your Flight Surgeon to read on our REFERENCE tab.

5.  As a doctor reading this website, is there a way I can refer a patient to Birds of a Feather?

Yes, we have prepared a one page "notice" that you can print out on your computer and place in your office in a convenient location for your patients to see.  Click HERE to access that document.

6.  How can I get involved with Birds of a Feather?

Click on the tab NESTS AND CONTACTS on this website to see if there is a Birds of a Feather "Nest" in your area.  If so, you can contact them to see about their meetings.  If there are no nests in your city, the BirdWord has a listing of "Solo" Birds in cities where there are no regularly scheduled meetings.

7.  What is the BirdWord?

The BirdWord is our quarterly newsletter that can be delivered via hardcopy or electronically.  It consists of articles, stories, vignettes, letters to the editor, notices and a complete listing of all nests and solo birds worldwide.  Check out the BIRDWORD tab of this website for more info and subscription information.

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8.  Does Birds of a Feather have an Internet Chat Room?

Birds of a Feather does not have an internet "chat room" per se but we do have a private group email program called The NetNest that you may join to ask questions or share your experience, strength and hope .  If you are interested please "qualify" by contacting one of the individuals listed here:
richeyg81@sbcglobal.net
sluther6@cox.net
mikeb384@verizon.net

9.  I am a female pilot.  Can you refer me to some information for women only?

In the REFERENCE section of this website is an excellent article by a woman pilot that you may find interesting.

10.  There is no nest in my area.  Can I start a Birds of a Feather meeting?

Of course.  All you need for a meeting is at least two people and a regularly scheduled meeting time and place.   We have sample meeting formats and statements of intent that you can tailor to your group.  Contact any of the TRUSTED SERVANTS or the Content Editor of this website and we will get you started.

11.  I am a member of a Nest that is listed on this site and I would like to make a special announcement about our nest.  Can you help?

Contact the website Content Editor and we will post your message on your nest's page as a NestNote.  To see a typical NestNote, go to NESTS & CONTACTS and click on one of the bold, blue nest names.

12.  Are there any Birds of a Feather nests outside of the United States?

Yes.  If you will click on the NESTS & CONTACTS page you will see that there are several nests in Canada, a nest in Dublin and a nest listed for the United Kingdom.  You will also notice that there are several "solo birds" in other countries.

13.  What are "solo birds"?

Solo birds are pilots in recovery in a city or location where there are no regularly scheduled nest meetings.  They have made themselves available for you to call should you be in that particular location and would like to chat or have a meeting.  Consult the BIRDWORD or the NESTS & CONTACTS page for listings of solo birds.

14.  What is "Operation Safe Pilot" and how will it change  FAA Form 8500-8 Pilot's Medical Application?

As a result of Operation Safe Pilot (a effort by the DOT and the Social Security Administration to determine whether or not there were people who were fraudulently collecting social security disability benefits by falsifying their FAA medical applications) changes will occur to the questions of the FAA Form 8500-8.  Check with your AME during your next FAA physical to see if the new changes have occurred.

15.  I am a private pilot but lost my medical due to an alcohol related incident.  Can I get my medical back and continue to fly?

  Refer to FAR 67.107, Subparts B, C and D.  There you will find that the mental standards for an FAA medical certificate are based on no established medical history or clinical diagnosis of "substance abuse".  Without knowing what your particular situation is, you can attempt to gain back your medical certificate by proving that you have sustained total abstinence from the "substance" for not less than two years.   With the assistance of your AME and the proper documentation, you can re-apply.  Having attended rehabilitation for substance abuse is helpful.  Part 121 pilots can shorten the two year period by entering the FAA approved HIMS program.  See question #2 above.  Currently there is no officially established FAA program for non-Part 121 pilots to shorted the two year waiting period.

16.  I am a flight attendant.  Can I attend Birds of a Feather Meetings?

Although Birds of a Feather was established to assist troubled pilots and other cockpit crewmembers (see Birds of a Feather Statement of Intent on our home page) some nests do allow flight attendants and other aviation personnel.  This is a matter of the group conscience of each individual nest.  Please contact the nest you are interested in to see if flight attendants are welcome to attend.

  More questions coming soon...........

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT PILOT'S IN RECOVERY OR OTHER ISSUES RELATING TO THIS WEBSITE?  SEND THE WEBSITE EDITOR YOUR QUESTION AND WE WILL POST IT HERE WITH AN ANSWER FOR YOU.

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