After reading Doug's post from yesterday starting out with "I took Flash around the patch yesterday for .3 and it felt dang good (hadn't flown since last Friday)" I thought I would complete my medical story I started with a post at Christmas Time.
I finally recieved my special issuance medical certificate Tuesday of this week. I am not entirely sure what finally happened to break it loose but how it was moved from OK City to the Kansas City regional office.
Quick back ground. I had minor chest pains last Feb and went to the ER and after 24 hours was told I had some blockage in my corinary artery. Within an hour I had 4 stents, was home the next day, and back to work within 4 days. Then the mandatory 6 months no flying (actually no PIC) before I could apply for my special issuance. At 6 months I took a stress test and passed with no issues. My cardilogy report basically said I was no more risk then any other slightly over weight middle age man and ranked the lowest on two different scales. All this went in to the FAA in OK City. I recieved a letter in 6 weeks that they wanted more info. (My mistake for not having my cardilogist follow the exact thing listed by the FAA for what they need - lesson learned #1). Then the waiting started. After 8 more weeks my AME started to call OK City. Their response was they would elevate it to a suppervisor. No action after 4 more weeks. I also had AOPA checking up weekly.
Here in STL we have a few RVs around and I have a friend located at an airport 15 miles away that owns an RV as well. I got him on my issurance and was able to fly about every 6 weeks with him just enough to not having the plane sit to long with out running. You really need to ensure you have a qualified (by your issurance company and not the FAA) to fly your plane in case you ever can not fly (lesson learned #2).
Finally I called a old friend in MN that is a AME and he inquired to the regional office in Kansas City (lesson learned #3). Their reponse was an email back "We reviewed his case and he will have a letter and certificate within a week". Sure enough I got the letter this week. In the last week I have heard from three seperate sources that OK City is known to put you to the bottom of the pile if you "pester" them with phone calls from your AME and your best bet it to get it moved to a reginal office if OK City is not acting on it (unknown lesson learned #1). I have not been able to find out if AOPA helped or hurt my case (unknown lesson learned #2). My letter indicates that next year I send my stuff directly to Kansas City.
Now to the flying. Doug you thought it felt "dang good" flying after not for less than a week. Flying this week was like first flight all over again. These machines we built/fly have the capability to not only physically transform us to another location but to mentally change your outlook on how great it is to be free and alive (re-learned lesson #4). It is an addicting drug. I was able to take my wife up yesterday and we just flew in silence enjoying the beautiful views from the air. For those whose partner likes to fly with them, it makes it extra special (re-learned lesson #5).
I hope this posting helps someone going through similar issues with the FAA.
I finally recieved my special issuance medical certificate Tuesday of this week. I am not entirely sure what finally happened to break it loose but how it was moved from OK City to the Kansas City regional office.
Quick back ground. I had minor chest pains last Feb and went to the ER and after 24 hours was told I had some blockage in my corinary artery. Within an hour I had 4 stents, was home the next day, and back to work within 4 days. Then the mandatory 6 months no flying (actually no PIC) before I could apply for my special issuance. At 6 months I took a stress test and passed with no issues. My cardilogy report basically said I was no more risk then any other slightly over weight middle age man and ranked the lowest on two different scales. All this went in to the FAA in OK City. I recieved a letter in 6 weeks that they wanted more info. (My mistake for not having my cardilogist follow the exact thing listed by the FAA for what they need - lesson learned #1). Then the waiting started. After 8 more weeks my AME started to call OK City. Their response was they would elevate it to a suppervisor. No action after 4 more weeks. I also had AOPA checking up weekly.
Here in STL we have a few RVs around and I have a friend located at an airport 15 miles away that owns an RV as well. I got him on my issurance and was able to fly about every 6 weeks with him just enough to not having the plane sit to long with out running. You really need to ensure you have a qualified (by your issurance company and not the FAA) to fly your plane in case you ever can not fly (lesson learned #2).
Finally I called a old friend in MN that is a AME and he inquired to the regional office in Kansas City (lesson learned #3). Their reponse was an email back "We reviewed his case and he will have a letter and certificate within a week". Sure enough I got the letter this week. In the last week I have heard from three seperate sources that OK City is known to put you to the bottom of the pile if you "pester" them with phone calls from your AME and your best bet it to get it moved to a reginal office if OK City is not acting on it (unknown lesson learned #1). I have not been able to find out if AOPA helped or hurt my case (unknown lesson learned #2). My letter indicates that next year I send my stuff directly to Kansas City.
Now to the flying. Doug you thought it felt "dang good" flying after not for less than a week. Flying this week was like first flight all over again. These machines we built/fly have the capability to not only physically transform us to another location but to mentally change your outlook on how great it is to be free and alive (re-learned lesson #4). It is an addicting drug. I was able to take my wife up yesterday and we just flew in silence enjoying the beautiful views from the air. For those whose partner likes to fly with them, it makes it extra special (re-learned lesson #5).
I hope this posting helps someone going through similar issues with the FAA.