Originally Posted by
seyferthb
Hello,
I currently have a 1st class medical, but I may have to get a sleep study done. If they find that I do in fact have sleep apnea, will I be grounded for the time being? Until I am able to get a special issuance if I am able to? I have read some mixed opinions on this in various online articles. If someone here has some experience with this that would be helpful.
Thanks in advance
I came out of the military with severe obstructive sleep apnea (39 events per hour during my sleep study). My CPAP works like a charm and I had no trouble getting a 1st class medical after the fact. I received my special issuance letter 10 days after I submitted the paperwork to the FAA. Contact your regional flight surgeon office before you go to the AME, and send your paperwork to them directly. They're a lot faster than the people in Oklahoma City. I don't know if you'll be grounded in the meantime since I was in a different situation. Somebody else will have to chime in on that.