FAA Medical and pilots with Sleep Apnea

Juan,

The information on AOPA has changed since my last medical, but only a
little. What you linked to is misleading. That is the protocol for a
*re-issuance*, not a first report issuance.

First issuance requires deferral and FAA decision, no matter what.

Read page 22:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...s/offices/aam/
ame_guide/media/secaasi.pdf

An initial determination requires more paperwork. The MWT is the
gold-standard for successful OSA treatment. They may authorize on less.
If this is your first report, you can make it easier for them to say yes
by having the MWT in addition to polysomnographs from the sleep study.

Re-issuance with the condition only requires current report from your
treating physician along with the authorization letter from the FAA from
your initial issuance at first report.

Trust me, it *IS* a disqualifying condition. I have been through the
whole process. I get an authorization letter that's good for a year,
then I have to send in a report, then I get another year authorization.




In article ,
"Juan Jimenez" wrote:

"nolan void" wrote in message
...
Chuck,

This is why you NEED AOPA.

Sleep Apnea is a disqualifying condition. Now you have to prove to the
FAA that you deserve a waiver, in the form of a special-issuance
medical.

NO, it is NOT a disqualifying condition, and NO you don't have to do the
special-issuance dance. This is just like hypertension, you just need to
show that you are under treatment and a letter from your doc saying it
works.

VERBATIM from the AOPA web site:

Sleep Apnea

At the time of your next examination, you will need to provide your aviation
medical examiner with a current status report from your treating physician.
If the information is acceptable to the AME and you are found otherwise
qualified, your AME may issue your medical certificate at that time.

The report should include:

A current status report that mentions the present treatment and whether it
has eliminated symptoms. The report should also include specific comments
about daytime sleepiness. If there is any question about treatment
compliance, a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) will be required.

The AME should defer the application to the Regional Flight Surgeon or
Aerospace Medical Certification Division if:

1. There is any question concerning adequacy of treatment.
2. There is evidence of non-compliance with therapy.
3. The Maintenance of Wakefulness Test is positive (abnormal).
4. Development of associated illness, such as right heart failure, is noted.

"nolan void" wrote in message
...
Juan,

The information on AOPA has changed since my last medical, but only a
little. What you linked to is misleading. That is the protocol for a
*re-issuance*, not a first report issuance.

The same thing applies to hypertension. It's not a disqualifying condition,
it just requires the FAA to know that you are under treatment. Sleep Apnea
is even simpler than that... what does it require as treatment? Warm, moist
air down your airway when you go to sleep. A mask that makes you look like
one of Sigourney Weaver's acid-for-hemoglobin buddies. Doesn't even require
medication! And as a bonus, most people get their dreams back. Such a deal.

First issuance requires deferral and FAA decision, no matter what.

That doesn't mean that it is a disqualifying condition that requires a
special issuance medical. What you get after that is not a special issuance
medical. That's an entirely different animal.

Trust me, it *IS* a disqualifying condition. I have been through the
whole process. I get an authorization letter that's good for a year,
then I have to send in a report, then I get another year authorization.

Then you have another condition that has nothing to do with sleep apnea. If
you have to go through the special issuance process every year, what you get
when you get a special issuance is a medical certificate, but from the FAA
in OKC. I've never had to tell the FAA anything further about my sleep
apnea, but I have had to tell them about other issues.

Juan

In article ,
"Juan Jimenez" wrote:


Then you have another condition that has nothing to do with sleep apnea. If
you have to go through the special issuance process every year, what you get
when you get a special issuance is a medical certificate, but from the FAA
in OKC. I've never had to tell the FAA anything further about my sleep
apnea, but I have had to tell them about other issues.

Juan

The paperwork I do goes to the RFS office in LA, not to OKC (thank
goodness). But it clearly stated on the letter that my OSA is a
disqualifying condition per FAR xx.xx.

Fortunately, I just have to mail my report into the LA RFS office and
they issue an authorization good for another year on my medical. I don't
have to see the AME every year.

Next time around, I'm going to have to report ocular hypertension being
treated with drops. No sign of glaucoma. Oh the joys of getting older.