I received my medical certificate in the mail today. Finally. Good through November 2018 (originally posted 2019 - which was not correct. See updated post below).
Special Issuance ? Third Class.
It has taken six months to get my medical certificate back since spending time in a cath lab to place a stent in my LAD artery (the bad one). It took some tenacity. The FAA wanted another stress test. My cardiologist wanted to wait 45 days to do another stress test after my surgery.
A local AME said no problem. We?ll get this done quickly ? a few months tops. This is more procedural than anything. Plenty of pilots flying with a stent.
First go-around was indeed fairly quick. I got a response from the FAA in about a month and a half asking for more information. The next go-around was closer to four months. Word is your info sits in a pile and will be reviewed by a decreasing number of doctors reviewing an increasing number of special issuance applications. They sent my certificate with a request for stress test tracings they already have. No problem. Glad to re-send.
Be aware that in the first paragraph of my latest letter has the wording ?you are ineligible for medical certification under Title bla bla bla,? but keep reading for the bold print that says, ?I have determined, however, that you may be granted Authorization for special issuance, etc., etc.? Whew!
I wanted to post for those who may have to undergo something similar.
Special thanks to Alan Mekler MD who responded with a couple of encouraging phone calls when I reached out to him. Also of course to Doug Reeves who makes it possible to get good advice through the forums from an AME in New Hampshire.
I think I?ll go schedule a flight review!
Special Issuance ? Third Class.
It has taken six months to get my medical certificate back since spending time in a cath lab to place a stent in my LAD artery (the bad one). It took some tenacity. The FAA wanted another stress test. My cardiologist wanted to wait 45 days to do another stress test after my surgery.
A local AME said no problem. We?ll get this done quickly ? a few months tops. This is more procedural than anything. Plenty of pilots flying with a stent.
First go-around was indeed fairly quick. I got a response from the FAA in about a month and a half asking for more information. The next go-around was closer to four months. Word is your info sits in a pile and will be reviewed by a decreasing number of doctors reviewing an increasing number of special issuance applications. They sent my certificate with a request for stress test tracings they already have. No problem. Glad to re-send.
Be aware that in the first paragraph of my latest letter has the wording ?you are ineligible for medical certification under Title bla bla bla,? but keep reading for the bold print that says, ?I have determined, however, that you may be granted Authorization for special issuance, etc., etc.? Whew!
I wanted to post for those who may have to undergo something similar.
Special thanks to Alan Mekler MD who responded with a couple of encouraging phone calls when I reached out to him. Also of course to Doug Reeves who makes it possible to get good advice through the forums from an AME in New Hampshire.
I think I?ll go schedule a flight review!
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