Originally Posted by
Av8tr1
This will be the first time I apply for a class 1 with a diagnoses of sleep apnea. I am looking for what the FAA is going to specifically ask for.
I understand the process. What I need to know is what documentation they will need from my doctor after my AME submits his part of the medical application. I am moving out of state in April and will be finding a new PHP at a new VA facility so I want to gather what documentation I need before I move as it may be months before I can get in to see new doctors.
Specifically when I get the letter from the FAA regarding a special issuance for sleep apnea what documentation will they be asking for? Is it just a letter from my sleep clinic doctor? Or is there a specific report they need?
The FAA wants the CPAP/APAP (machine(s) you use each day), the compliance therapy reports within the preceding 12 consecutive months. They're downloaded from your machine. Either through a LTE signal which will transmit to record them from the machine to a DME provider (as an example). Or, from the removable SD card in the machine's slot itself. These are obtained either through possibily your treating OSA sleep apnea doctor OR the DME provider can as well, log into whatever website is applicable to your case for these reports. These must be submitted once each year. Secondly, whoever is your sleep apnea treating physician, have him write a letter after your annual examination with his results, that you successfully tolerate CPAP treatment, and this is important for the FAA and MUST state NO DAYTIME Hypersomnolence OR NO DAYTIME SLEEPINESS present. Also, the FAA has a 3 answer mini form checklist to fill out and send this back in once a year. It just basically says that you say you're under successful CPAP treatment. Believe me when I say that I have been successfully navigating this SH** while learning EVERY nuance since about 17 yrs. ago being diagnosed with mild OSA sleep apnea. I was however, out of flying for roughly 4 weeks initially when I learned I was diagnosed with it. The good news is this. As long as your sleep apnea is controlled to the acceptable FAA AME Guide standards, it still is allowed to fly with. It has to be pretty severe before you're hard downed, really. Good luck! I'd be happy to provide you with anything else you might need. Including a world renown sleep apnea doctor, professor and chief. He has been super!