Originally Posted by
Brickfire
Plan on months more
Originally Posted by
JohnBurke
That's good; it's a difficult row to hoe on your own, and really needs support in navigating the process.
It would be inaccurate to suggest an average turn-around time, because of several factors: the response is dependent on each individual applicant and that applicant's personal medical condition, medical records, history, etc, and the turn time on each condition will vary. Moreover, caseload will vary.
Bird in the hand vs. the bush-dwelling variety being what they are, it may be well to occupy yourself based on the longer haul than the shorter one. I had some time to kill some years ago during a brief medical interlude, and chose to turn wrenches during that time. When I was cleared up, I returned to service. The timing was frustrating, as it began the night before I was to start my captain upgrade line training, and having just come from the sim, was springloaded and ready to go.
Adding to the frustration is sometimes that the FAA will ask for more data, more testing, etc, months or more later. Just when one was hoping to return to work, the process seems to be starting again. This may be due to various reasons, and could be as simple as they'd just gotten to one's case, or it could be that an evaluation of the condition was inconclusive and more data was needed. It maybe that additional details came to light to complicate something which once seemed straight-forward. An example is a frustrated poster who has a couple of threads running right now; he held a third class medical, which was revoked when additional complications were brought to light. Further applications were denied; it wasn't necessarily one condition or the other but the combination of information received indicated further review warranted. There's nothing fair about one's medical qualification: just life. I do understand the frustration. You're quite right to get aviation support in your corner.
A popular choice, mentioned here often and utilized by ALPA, et al, is AMAS (aviation medical advisory service):
https://www.aviationmedicine.com
Originally Posted by
BoilerUP
FAA Aeromedical is a total dumpster fire, and pilots are suffering the consequences due to not enough people in OKC (or elsewhere) reviewing SI paperwork in a timely fashion. The COVID excuse only lasts so long...
AMAS is worth every penny they charge.
Originally Posted by
Brickfire
Seriously. You could very well, after several more months, get a letter saying “please provide xyz paperwork” after which point they will take 8 more months to review it
Guys, thanks for the feedback, I truly appreciate it.
I know I will get flak for what I'm about to confess but it is what it is. I have taken the risk of beginning flight training while I wait for the SI, well knowing they can flat out deny it. =( I just turned 50 and I just can't afford to sit around waiting for the SI. I pray to God that I do get it. My condition is not one where I should be denied a SI. My AME said he has had patients get their SI whom have had blood clots as recently as within the past 6 months. Mine were 3 years ago and I've had no issues whatsoever with my blood thinners.
Anyhow, I already have 106 hours of dual instruction. I completed all mandatory dual hours for the PPL and also completed all 40 hours simulated instrument dual hours for my IR. Now I'm just continuing to fly building up night time and XC time as well, all dual instruction. I'll probably end up spending more money doing it this way, but it is what it is. I just don't want to sit around. On the flip side, by the time I get the SI, if I do, I'll be able to solo and complete my checkrides extremely fast and without major issues.
I know it's a huge risk I'm taking by doing it this way, but if God willing, I do get the SI, it will all work out for the best.
Following your recommendations, I will probably reach out to AMAS today and see what they can do. Thanks again, folks.