terrykohler
Well Known Member
Things I've Learned Along the Way:
1. The FAA will provide you with a guidance letter detailing requirements - Give them EXACTLY what they want.
2. Provide your personal physician with the FAA guidance letter - highlighting key points may be helpful.
3. If your personal physician insists on doing it his way in terms of paperwork or format, see rule #1
4. If discussion with your personal physician doesn't result in EXACTLY what you need, GET A NEW PHYSICIAN.
5. One of the key elements required is likely a LETTER to the AME from your personal physician summarizing all tests and attesting to your fitness. Clinical notes and stand-alone lab reports won't likely cut it.
6. Put together a "packet" for the AME with all FAA requested documentation. A cover with a table of contents won't hurt.
7. Make sure YOU have copies of everything.
8. For heart issues that require a Bruce Stress Test, make certain you go a minimum of 9 minutes. The tech administering the test may ask you if you want to stop once you've reached target rate - if it's less than 9 minutes, the FAA may not accept the results.
My first waiver (for stent placement) resulted in waiting about 4 months beyond the required down time. This was all the result of a non-cooperative cardiologist. Unfortunately, the FAA started the clock when I first submitted my application - this resulted in the medical being good for only about 8 months.
Solution this year was a new Cardiologist (early June). Examination, all testing completed and summary letter in hand as of this Monday. AME visit yesterday. New medical/waiver good for another 12 months. Trip to family camp on the shore of Lake Superior this weekend- a perfect ending.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP
1. The FAA will provide you with a guidance letter detailing requirements - Give them EXACTLY what they want.
2. Provide your personal physician with the FAA guidance letter - highlighting key points may be helpful.
3. If your personal physician insists on doing it his way in terms of paperwork or format, see rule #1
4. If discussion with your personal physician doesn't result in EXACTLY what you need, GET A NEW PHYSICIAN.
5. One of the key elements required is likely a LETTER to the AME from your personal physician summarizing all tests and attesting to your fitness. Clinical notes and stand-alone lab reports won't likely cut it.
6. Put together a "packet" for the AME with all FAA requested documentation. A cover with a table of contents won't hurt.
7. Make sure YOU have copies of everything.
8. For heart issues that require a Bruce Stress Test, make certain you go a minimum of 9 minutes. The tech administering the test may ask you if you want to stop once you've reached target rate - if it's less than 9 minutes, the FAA may not accept the results.
My first waiver (for stent placement) resulted in waiting about 4 months beyond the required down time. This was all the result of a non-cooperative cardiologist. Unfortunately, the FAA started the clock when I first submitted my application - this resulted in the medical being good for only about 8 months.
Solution this year was a new Cardiologist (early June). Examination, all testing completed and summary letter in hand as of this Monday. AME visit yesterday. New medical/waiver good for another 12 months. Trip to family camp on the shore of Lake Superior this weekend- a perfect ending.
Terry, CFI
RV9A N323TP