3rd Class Medical - Jump Through Hoops?

GEG wrote:

The thing that got me was the Bextra has no FAA restrictions
yet he wants medical records specifically on my use of Bextra.
Plus, I only have 2 weeks to get the info.

Is this normal?

Yes. Normally, you can let it go longer than 2 weeks, but then you will be
forwarding everything to Oklahoma City and waiting at least 3 months for your
certificate. I sounds like your examiner is cutting you a deal.

There were a half-dozen other pilots through there, one older
gentleman who seemed as though he could barely walk and he went
right through (I'd imagine he is a professional pilot
and has been going there a long time.)

He probably has been through several situations much like the one you are
facing. After a condition has been reported, all the paperwork has been filed,
and OK City has approved the deal, all you have to do the next time is say
"Condition previously reported - no change."

You'll find this out for yourself in three years.

Do I need to worry? I mean, my hip condition isn't too bad (I did
have some surgery), and I know I can play hockey and lift weights
well beyond what the other pilots there were doing.

Probably not. If the FAA objects to the medication, there's probably another one
you can use.

Oh - he charged me $20 extra because of "extra paperwork" for the
items I need to follow up on and get sent to them.

Is that also normal?

My AMEs have never done this, but, again, it sounds like yours is signing off on
stuff that mine would forward to the FAA. IMO, the extra $20 is a great deal.

George Patterson
I prefer Heaven for climate but Hell for company.