Doug S wrote:
So, after a few years of putting it off (actually..."after a few years of
saving enough $$$"), I decided I want to get a private pilot cert.
Welllll...from the time that I first wanted to do that (about 10 years ago)
until now, I've had some changes in my medical status, which will
*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are my
chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of getting
all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will receive the
waiver. On the other hand, if people think that the waiver is probable,
what steps should I take? Should I get the records together first and then
take the medical? See, I don't want to even start taking instruction (and
spend the $$) if there's not much of a chance that I'll be able to get the
cert...

In a nutshell:
31 year old otherwise healthy male (6'3" 190 lbs).


[--snip--]


So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and also
alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to the
liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug, but am
first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention medications. No
attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no discernable
side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?


After having just gone through FAA Medical Certification Hell, here's a
couple of thoughts, tips, etc. I can't say if it's possible or not, but
hopefully I can give you an idea of what's involved. It's been a pain
in the butt for me, but it's well worth it to be able to fly an airplane
by myself.

* Start this process as soon as you even think you might possibly
contemplate take a lesson. I started the medical certification process
at the same time I started taking lessons. It took me almost a year to
get my medical certification (special issuance actually) and I've been
wasting some time in my flying becuase I couldn't solo until recently.
(On the up side, my landings have been really good becuase my CFI and I
have been doing *lots* of pattern work waiting for my medical clearance).

* Talk to an AME (Airman Medical Examiner) ASAP. He/She will be able to
tell you what your chances are. Just be honest with them and they
should tell you what to do to make it happen (if you're in the SF Bay
Area, I would wholehartedly recommend my AME).

* Join and work with the AOPA. They have lots of medical resources on
their Web site. You can request that their medical people talk with the
FAA to provide updates so you have some visibility into the process,
which otherwise is like dropping an application into a black hole and
hoping it reappears as a medical certification three months later.

* Be prepared to work with your doctor(s) to provide *lots* of
documentation. And make sure to provide it by their deadlines. In my
case, I have Type-II Diabetes (orally controlled), hypertension, a
history of kidney stones and a family history of heart disease. I had
to provide:
1) a note from my doctor with a description of my current diabetes
and high blood pressure control, a statement to the effect that
the kidney stones were a one-time occurence, and a list of all
the medications I'm currently taking, with any side effects
(I don't have any).
2) lab reports with my current HbA1C results (indicates overall
glucose control).
3) a rather detailed eye examination (my optometest had never
before done some of the tests that they asked for).
4) results of a a resting electrocardiogram (ECG)
5) a maximal stress ECG
I had multiple issues, so I probably had to provide more documentation
than most, but just be prepared.

* If you get your medical certification, it will probably be issued
under "special issuance" which means that it's not valid for the normal
3 years. You will probably have to provide additional information on
your condition on a shorter basis. For example, I need to provide
information on my diabetes every 12 months and on my hypertension every
24 months, in addition to my three-year physicals.

Someone once told me that the FAA will issue a medical certification if
you are warm and standing upright. I don't know if that's true or not,
but I know that I was worried that I wouldn't get mine and I'd have to
give up flying even before I started. As it turns out, I didn't have a
problem getting the certification and I've got most of the FAA's "hot
button" health issues (diabetes, hypertension, kidney stones).

-- Bryan