Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
D2D - did I read somewhere that you went to the Naval Academy?
Were you/or are you aviation rated? If you are/were in aviation then you undoubtedly came across NAMI and know that CAMI is the civilian equivalent. I doubt the dreaded *CAMI whammy* can be circumnavigated as easily as is being thought of above. Agreed?
USMCFLYR
Yes, I know all about the joys of NAMI. The power to destroy the bright future of a young naval aviator in training lies in the hands of its many evil doctors!
I actually was just briefed by an AME on the subject of FAA medicals; there are certain things you can get away with, such as a bad heart, but no sign of trauma, you're just taking pills to keep the blood pressure down, that sort of thing. The rules aren't set in stone, either. You have to present your case to the FAA, and all the power of the decision lies in their hands. A doctor's note does not guarantee anything.
The FAA medical shouldn't be generally "feared", but it does deserve a healthy dose of "respect" - and proper planning in the case of failure.