Starscream

A few months ago I posted a thread asking how long it usually takes the FAA to render a decision on a deferred Medical application.

Well, so far it's been just about 3 months since we applied and today I got a notice from OKC saying they are sending my case out to an independent consulting firm. I've already seen an FAA consultant in person 4 months ago, and he submitted a favorable report with my application to speed things up, but it didn't seem to help and now they are sending my case to a 3rd party.

Anyone know how long it usually takes these firms to look at cases and get back to the FAA? Just looking for a ballpark.

jabr800

Not sure what an FAA consultant is?
It may be someone like I am suggesting below, but I'm not sure what you are saying.

So much of a correct answer depends on your medical issue, and the AME that originally deferred you.

I see a Certification Consultant (a Senior AME who also happens to be an ATP pilot also), 1000+ miles away from where I live, each year, and I walk out with my medical that day.
None of this FAA drag your feet stuff!!!

Of course my Medical Situation is likely different than yours.
It may be easier to certify, or maybe harder ????

Here is some info on the guy I use Bruce B Chien CFIA-I-MEI-ATP - How to Start
There are others throughout the country, but this guy's track record is one of the best.

If your situation is one that can be resolved from the mess you are in now, he can guide you mostly via email and telephone until you need to see him, if that's the fix for your case.

Good luck however you deal with this.

Xdashdriver

I was told recently by an FAA consultant that the FAA routinely sends out cases for second opinions. He avoids this happening by sending the case to someone else first, gets their signature on it and then sends it to the FAA. They see it has already been looked at by someone else so they just approve it.

I will also add a second vote for talking to Dr. Chien. He has been superb!

Starscream

Thank you both for the responses and input. I do appreciate it.

My case is a neurological one (aneurysm/subarachnoid hemorrhage). The consultant I saw was Dr. J. Hastings in Tulsa, who, of course, is a Neurologist. I was advised to seem him with the hope that it would speed things up since a thumbs-up from him, ideally, would have eliminated the need for the Feds to send my case to (another) consultant. They, nevertheless, decided to send my case to a consultant regardless of the fact that Dr. Hastings recommended I be granted a 1st class Medical.

We (AMAS on my behalf) applied. FAA said get a current head scan. Got the head scan done. It was perfect, with Dr. Hastings (FAA consultant) saying he looked at it and recommends granting me a Medical. FAA send it off to another 3rd party consultant anyway.

I don't think I can speak with Dr. Chien if doing so would cost anything. I'm down to my final pennies. Furthermore, now that my case has been sent to the consultant I'm not so sure Dr. Chien would even really be able to do anything to speed this up. I was advised to seek the help of a pilot nurse at my carrier who was said to be able to work miracles. She couldn't do anything.

Now that it is sent off to the 3rd party consultant I'm curious how much longer I can expect to wait.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond, I do appreciate it.

Xdashdriver

Dr. Chien will chat for free. He only starts charging when he reviews documents. It can't hurt to write him a quick email with a synopsis and see what his response is.

Starscream

Sorry, must have skipped that question! From what I understand, most deferrals are handled in house at the AMCD (or whatever they call it), the folks at the FAA who decide yay or nay on Medical Certificate applications when an applicant has his/her application deferred by an AME.

Cases involving more 'critical' parts/areas of the body (brain, heart, etc) may or may not be decided in house because the FAA may not have Neurology, Cardiology, etc. specialists in house to precisely interpret reports/images/etc, thus creating a need for the FAA to send these types of cases to independent consultants in these particular fields for their take on an individual's case. The FAA won't just send it out to any Doc in the field, of course. Only to FAA designated consultants who specialize in the field (Neurology, Cardiology, etc) in question.

So is my understanding, at least, on "FAA Consultant."




Sure thing -- I'll reach out to Dr. Chien. The worst he can do is just not answer, I suppose.

jabr800

Starscream,

If you talk to Dr. Chien, I wouldn't be surprised if he has encountered a case like yours before.
If he hasn't, he probably has a counterpart that has, and can offer ideas on how to successfully work through this if there is a way.

Dr. Chien is quite good on answering everyone in my experience, so I would say, send him some information, and see what he suggests.

Best of luck to you!

outaluckagain

I got my medical deferred for reasons that it should not have been. I called AOPA and they were astonished.
Has anyone here ever used AOPA for a deferral? How did it work out?

Xdashdriver

AOPA can give some good advice and can follow your case at the FAA, but a clued in Senior AME like Dr. Chien can do quite a bit more. I would get in touch with him.

jabr800

To Outaluckagain,

Xdashdriver has said it very well!
AOPA is a wonderful organization that does many things for many aviators.
Though they speak the language well (of FAA Medical Stuff), my money goes to Dr. Chien every year, and it gets done the first time Everytime.

He is a SPECIALIST that deals with difficult FAA Medicals and Special Issuances.
That is all he does and he is truly the best.

Not just my opinion, that is the opinion of so many if you look outside this forum.
If your situation can be fixed, he can make it happen.

There are other places that lead you to believe they will get results, but the facts are, Dr. Chien has a better than 99% positive result rate, if he takes your case.

He is one of the very few people the FAA Medical folks consult with on some occasions when new language is written into their policies.
My experience is he knows the FAA stuff better than they do and he will stand up to them when they take a wrong turn on your behalf!

Here comes my opinion if it hasn't already emerged, you can use many other services or AME's and get the slower than molasses responses, and often times the wrong responses, or you can just deal with Dr. Chien and get it done in the BEST and FASTEST possible manner.