Dr. Ian Blair Fries is an orthopedic and hand surgeon. He is a Senior FAA HIMS Aviation Medical Examiner. He is also the Chairman of the AOPA Board of Aviation Medical Advisors. And he was tried and charged for negligence with a HIMS patient.
In June of 2020, Dr. Fries received a laboratory result with a positive Peth. (Blood test checking for alcohol consumption). Dr. Fries told the FAA “We now have a clearly positive PEth.” The problem was, he had the wrong blood! The pilot said he didn’t drink. Unfortunately he faced the standard argument: “You’re an alcoholic. All alcoholics lie. Therefore you’re lying.” So instead of believing the pilot and doing a little due diligence, Dr. Fries told the FAA that he had a positive PEth. Well, the pilot involved learned it wasn’t even his blood. You can read the entire complaint here.
Dr. Fries had argued he had no duty of care between he and his HIMS patient. This is the standard argument HIMS doctors use. However, courts are viewing this a little different. In Dr. Fries case, a jury of his peers believed otherwise and they found him negligent. On June 25, 2025 the jury ordered him to pay damages to the pilot in the sum of $513,000. You can read the verdict here.
HIMS REALITY
Sadly, airlines often order pilots to see a doctor they control. Taking the choice away from the pilot. I know this game all too well, as Delta bought a HIMS doctor to take me out. It took me years of effort, but Dr Altman finally lost his medical license. Even HIMS AME Dr. Chien told me that “Doctors can be bought” and “This is a dirty business.” HIMS AME Dr. Faulkner, who was paid by Delta to assist in my demise stated, during his deposition said that he didn’t know if the Hippocratic Oath was applicable to a mental health evaluation without reading the oath.
How do you know who is honest, and not on the take? Who will treat you with proper duty of care? Pilots for HIMS Reform is here to assist.
The Good. The Bad. The Ugly.
Pilots deserve a clearer way to choose aeromedical professionals.
Pilots 4 HIMS Reform are trying to make a difference.
Aeromedical Compass is a standalone, pilot-driven ranking system designed to bring transparency to aeromedical care. It aggregates pilot feedback to help others make informed decisions when selecting medical professionals.
Providers are categorized using a simple, visual four-tier system:
Trusted
Preferred
Watch
Under Review
Some experiences are positive. Some are not. Both are essential to building a system that reflects reality rather than reputation alone.
If you’ve interacted with an aeromedical provider, your experience can help guide others navigating this process.
https://aeromedicalcompass.org/
6 Comments
I would avoid Dr. Faulkner in Atlanta.
Dr. Faulkner, testified he has 2000 pilots he worked with in a year. Most of us have 2 visits a year, and those in the HIMS more often than that. He’s on the board of Directors at Harvey Watt. At the time of trial and his testimony he was Delta’s on staff Dr. I did the math. Something didn’t work. If you want to have some fun, read the novels Flight For Discovery and Flight For Justice. Dr. Faulkner’s exact testimony, verbatim, might be in there. The name was changed.But this testimony will explain so much. You can’t make this stuff up. https://karlenepetitt.com/bookstore/
What if the pilot had said “ya I drank”? Following the standard argument of “You’re an alcoholic. All alcoholics lie. Therefore you’re lying.” the conclusion would be “the pilot didn’t drink”!!
What a dumb logic!
And there is the argument!!!
This is similar to Dr. Michael Langan’s experience with a drug testing lab and regulatory agency detailed in the book, “The Disrupted Physician”.
https://www.amazon.com/Disrupted-Physician-Study-Administrative-Authority/dp/B0DJ8C7PHK
This looks fascinating. I’m going to grab it for my next read. Thank you!