Specail Issuance medical

[Cutlass1287]

First some background information:
At age 16, I went to get my medical, hoping to solo shortly, and it had to go to the FAA office for approval, because I had been diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety in the past. Since then, I have taken tests which show that not only do I not have either, I have significantly above average attention skills and what not. So now, it is 14 months later, and the FAA is giving me a "special issuance third class medical, with no restrictions." It will expire in July of 2005, and at or before that time I need to submit more detailed status reports. The lady at the FAA says they will follow me like this for some time, perhaps 2 years or more. I plan on being a commercial pilot, so I am thinking I should go for a first class medical next time (before July). Do you guys have any thoughts on this? Will this create problems for me flying professionally?

 

[LarryinTN]

There are a number of doctors who make a business of consulting with pilots regarding medical certification. They have a lot of expertise in dealing with the FAA and usually know exactly what the FAA will require. I would suggest a phone conversation with such a doctor as he will be able to quickly give you a summary of how your previous diagnosis will effect future certification.

Try some google searches for "faa medical consultation", or similar terms, and you should find a number of options. If you can't find any let me know and I'll look some up when I have more time.

 

[Vector4fun]

It shouldn't pose any problems as long as the tests are all good. Hopefully, you can get rid of the "special issuance" in the next year or two. If you have any trouble, there is an outfit called Virtual Flight Surgeons Inc. at:

www.aviationmedicine.com

These folks are supposed to be very, very good at working medical problems. Our Controller's Union has contracted with them to work out our own medical issues.

Go for the 1st class if you want to, it will cost a bit more though.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Before spending money on an outside consultant, talk to the medical people at AOPA first (you =are= a member, aren't you?). They can directly help with many issues. I have a special issuance and AOPA's assistance has been everything I've needed.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

be careful what you tell your FAA doctor

Hi Cutlass:

This may be moving away from your original question a little bit, but I feel it's important and it's only my opinion. Some pilots use their regular family doctor as a their FAA doctor, as alot of FAA doctors are family physicians as well. This is not a good practice because if you go to see your doctor on a "non-FAA" related visit and he/she finds something that could potentially ground you, you're screwed. I don't know if this is the case with you or not, but I would suggest checking around and finding a good FAA doctor and only use him/her for your Medicals ONLY. I found a guy who gets me in and out in less than 15 minutes.
In my opinion, when you fill out those medical history applications for the FAA Medicals, your answer to most of those questions should be "no". Now, don't get me wrong. If you have a condition, for instance, like siezures or blacking out, or if you're taking non approved medications, then by all means you should not be flying in the first place. I personally would work those problems out with my regular doctor and get myself healthy before even attempting to get a FAA Medical, because once you admit in the application that you have had a medical problem, even if you're currently healthy, it may take an act of congress to get your Medical back. I'm only saying that if you want want to further your flying career to more than the General Aviation level, I wouldn't tell them you have ever had ADHD. Even those silly questions about how many alcoholic drinks you consume per week is silly. From what I've observed, all the pilots I've been around at all the airlines I've worked for drink wayyyy over what you would ever want to admit on one of those FAA Medical applications. Just be careful what you tell them.