FAA run-around

[Slav Inger]

Hi all,

Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA (my 3-rd class is coming up
for renewal and I don't remember what I put on the application 3 years ago).
I searched the FAA's website and didn't find any official forms for
requesting this info, all they seem to require is a "signed statement". So
I typed up an informal letter describing my request, signed it, and sent it
per instructions I got by listening to the voice recording. The FAA sent me
a response saying that they need a _signed_ statement (the word "signed" is
bolded) and that computer generated signature isn't acceptable. That makes
sense, except that my signature wasn't computer generated. So the question
is, what is it that the FAA really wants and in what format, I guess I
wasn't clear on this point.

Thanks.

- Slav Inger
- PP ASEL IA

[Peter Gottlieb]

I concur, the doctor you used last time should have it in their files. I
ask for mine and they retrieve it right away.

"Jim Weir" > wrote in message
...
> My doctor's office manager puts my complete file history onto the
clipboard with
> the new application so that I can remember to tell the same lies the same
way
> this year.
>
> You might inquire of your doctor's office staff.
>
>
> Jim
>
>
>
> "Slav Inger" >
> shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:
>
> ->Hi all,
> ->
> ->Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA
>
>
> Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
> VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
> http://www.rst-engr.com

[john smith]

Jim Weir wrote:
> My doctor's office manager puts my complete file history onto the clipboard with
> the new application so that I can remember to tell the same lies the same way
> this year.

Mine does, too.
In my folder are the original copies of each from the past 22 years.

[Larry Fransson]

In article
>,
"Slav Inger" > wrote:

> Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA (my 3-rd class is coming up
> for renewal and I don't remember what I put on the application 3 years ago).

My AME always provides a copy of the previous year's application along
with the new one. And for a couple of years now (don't remember when
they started), the applications have included a copy for the applicant.

--
Larry Fransson
Aviation software for Mac OS X!
http://www.subcritical.com

[JerryK]

On Sun, 10 Aug 2003 13:28:57 -0700, Jim Weir wrote:

> My doctor's office manager puts my complete file history onto the clipboard with
> the new application so that I can remember to tell the same lies the same way
> this year.
>

My doctor does this also. It makes the fantasy almost believable.

[Slav Inger]

"G.R. Patterson III" > wrote in message
>
> I changed physicians this year and wound up in your position. I sent this
> letter to the FAA, and got the required info back within a couple weeks.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> 1165 Middletown-Lincroft
Rd.
> Middletown, NJ 07748
> 21 February, 2003
> FAA
> P.O. Box 26080
> AAM-331
> Oklahoma City, OK 73126-5063
>
>
> Dear Sir or Madam,
>
> I would like to request an uncertified copy of part of my medical records.
> The only portion I need is the application which I filled out in 2001 (my
> last examination).
>
> This letter authorizes you to release this information to me.
>
>
> Sincerely,
>


I wrote basically the same letter (minus the "authorizes you" part). So,
what should be my course of action? Write them a new similarly worded
letter, sign it again like I did last time, and mention that my signature
down there is a real signature and not a computer-generated image?

- Slav Inger
- PP ASEL IA

[Steve Foley]

Use a blue pen to sign it.

"Slav Inger" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA (my 3-rd class is coming
up
> for renewal and I don't remember what I put on the application 3 years
ago).
> I searched the FAA's website and didn't find any official forms for
> requesting this info, all they seem to require is a "signed statement".
So
> I typed up an informal letter describing my request, signed it, and sent
it
> per instructions I got by listening to the voice recording. The FAA sent
me
> a response saying that they need a _signed_ statement (the word "signed"
is
> bolded) and that computer generated signature isn't acceptable. That
makes
> sense, except that my signature wasn't computer generated. So the
question
> is, what is it that the FAA really wants and in what format, I guess I
> wasn't clear on this point.
>
> Thanks.
>
> - Slav Inger
> - PP ASEL IA
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> You might inquire of your doctor's office staff.

And make sure the clerks actually SENT THE FORMS TO THE FAA -- five years
ago, they didn't, and I flew for two years without the FAA having a valid
medical on file. (I had the proper form in my wallet, but did this "count"?
Who knows?)

Luckily I discovered the error by checking my own records on the FAA
website, and discovering that I was NOT listed as an active pilot with a
valid medical. A few calls to the FAA and my doctor cleared it up, but I
always wonder where the chips would have fallen if there had been any kind
of a mishap during that time.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[lance smith]

Good idea. Some dingleberry probably thought your signature was
'computer generated' because the inks were the same color...

-lance smith

"Steve Foley" > wrote in message >...
> Use a blue pen to sign it.
>
> "Slav Inger" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA (my 3-rd class is coming
> up
> > for renewal and I don't remember what I put on the application 3 years
> ago).
> > I searched the FAA's website and didn't find any official forms for
> > requesting this info, all they seem to require is a "signed statement".
> So
> > I typed up an informal letter describing my request, signed it, and sent
> it
> > per instructions I got by listening to the voice recording. The FAA sent
> me
> > a response saying that they need a _signed_ statement (the word "signed"
> is
> > bolded) and that computer generated signature isn't acceptable. That
> makes
> > sense, except that my signature wasn't computer generated. So the
> question
> > is, what is it that the FAA really wants and in what format, I guess I
> > wasn't clear on this point.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > - Slav Inger
> > - PP ASEL IA
> >
> >

[Roger Halstead]

On Sun, 10 Aug 2003 13:28:57 -0700, Jim Weir > wrote:

>My doctor's office manager puts my complete file history onto the clipboard with
>the new application so that I can remember to tell the same lies the same way
>this year.
>
>You might inquire of your doctor's office staff.
On my last medical they not only dug out the previous copy, they gave
me a copy of the current one when I left. I have it right on the
shelf as well as having it scanned into the computer files.

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)
>
>
>Jim
>
>
>
>"Slav Inger" >
>shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:
>
>->Hi all,
>->
>->Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA
>
>
>Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
>VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
>http://www.rst-engr.com

[Gig Giacona]

Here's the URL for the form they want. I just mailed one off for a new cert.
It is the same form just a different address.

http://registry.faa.gov/docs/8060-56.pdf




"Slav Inger" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> Been trying to get my medical file from the FAA (my 3-rd class is coming
up
> for renewal and I don't remember what I put on the application 3 years
ago).
> I searched the FAA's website and didn't find any official forms for
> requesting this info, all they seem to require is a "signed statement".
So
> I typed up an informal letter describing my request, signed it, and sent
it
> per instructions I got by listening to the voice recording. The FAA sent
me
> a response saying that they need a _signed_ statement (the word "signed"
is
> bolded) and that computer generated signature isn't acceptable. That
makes
> sense, except that my signature wasn't computer generated. So the
question
> is, what is it that the FAA really wants and in what format, I guess I
> wasn't clear on this point.
>
> Thanks.
>
> - Slav Inger
> - PP ASEL IA
>
>

[G.R. Patterson III]

Slav Inger wrote:
>
> I wrote basically the same letter (minus the "authorizes you" part). So,
> what should be my course of action?

Send it again. This time, pay for receipt confirmation. Alternately, you
could get on the hpone and argue with them, but I've rarely found this
to be productive.

George Patterson
They say that nothing's certain except death and taxes. The thing is,
death doesn't get worse every time Congress goes into session.
Will Rogers

[[email protected]]

On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 21:21:56 -0400, "G.R. Patterson III"
> wrote:

> Alternately, you could get on the hpone and argue
>with them, but I've rarely found thisto be productive.

My experience has been, that it is difficult to get a live FAA person
on the phone. Use of e-mail seems to work better:

[Ron Natalie]

> wrote in message ...
> On Mon, 11 Aug 2003 21:21:56 -0400, "G.R. Patterson III"
> > wrote:
>
> > Alternately, you could get on the hpone and argue
> >with them, but I've rarely found thisto be productive.
>
> My experience has been, that it is difficult to get a live FAA person
> on the phone. Use of e-mail seems to work better:
>
>
Actually, after a brief bout of music-on-hold you can get a clerk who can look
up your records and tell you where it sits (like, have they received the stuff
your doctor sent in, etc...) They can't do much, but I suspect they might
be able to order copies for you.

[Ricky Robbins]

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 10:10:09 -0400, "Ron Natalie" >
wrote:

>Actually, after a brief bout of music-on-hold you can get a clerk who can look
>up your records and tell you where it sits (like, have they received the stuff
>your doctor sent in, etc...) They can't do much, but I suspect they might
>be able to order copies for you.

That was my (one) experience. I hadn't received my certificate in the
mail and the temporary was running out. I called, they had sent it to
the wrong address. They fixed the address, faxed a new temporary, and
mailed a certificate. Time on the phone was minimal.

Ricky

[Dan Foster]

In article >, Steve Foley > wrote:
> Use a blue pen to sign it.

I wonder what happens if one uses a red pen or something blatantly
eye-catching and slightly non-conventional :-)

Although, in the infinite wisdom of bureaucrats, they'd most likely find
some other rule to throw at one requiring another trip through the hoops.

-Dan

[Roger Halstead]

On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 19:33:11 +0000 (UTC), Dan Foster
> wrote:

>In article >, Steve Foley > wrote:
>> Use a blue pen to sign it.

Last I heard they require either blue or black.

>
>I wonder what happens if one uses a red pen or something blatantly
>eye-catching and slightly non-conventional :-)

I think one of the reasons is that RED and possibly green do not show
up when the documents are copied on one of the old photocopiers.

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

>
>Although, in the infinite wisdom of bureaucrats, they'd most likely find
>some other rule to throw at one requiring another trip through the hoops.
>
>-Dan

[Dan Foster]

In article >, Roger Halstead > wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Sep 2003 19:33:11 +0000 (UTC), Dan Foster
> wrote:
>
>>In article >, Steve Foley > wrote:
>>> Use a blue pen to sign it.
>
> Last I heard they require either blue or black.
>
>>I wonder what happens if one uses a red pen or something blatantly
>>eye-catching and slightly non-conventional :-)
>
> I think one of the reasons is that RED and possibly green do not show
> up when the documents are copied on one of the old photocopiers.

Wonder if it would also potentially present difficulties to staffers whom
are color blind? Not having that condition, don't know if it'd be
problematic.

-Dan

[Peter Duniho]

"Dan Foster" > wrote in message
...
> Wonder if it would also potentially present difficulties to staffers whom
> are color blind?

Being color-blind doesn't mean that certain colors are invisible to the eye.
It just means that they look a lot like other colors.

[Dan Foster]

In article >, Peter Duniho > wrote:
> "Dan Foster" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Wonder if it would also potentially present difficulties to staffers whom
>> are color blind?
>
> Being color-blind doesn't mean that certain colors are invisible to the eye.
> It just means that they look a lot like other colors.

Ah! Makes sense; duly noted -- thanks!

-Dan