Starscream

Greetings all,

I just learned that I may be without a Medical for a considerable amount of time. I've already been out 1 year 4 months, and at the moment it's looking like I may not have a Medical until next summer.

I've got no Loss of License protections whatsoever, and I need to find a job. I haven't started the search sooner because I was falsely guaranteed that I would be certified. Instead, I got a denial.

One stumbling block that I'm running into is that my resume pretty much only includes aviation experience. I've done nothing else of significance. I feel I have to somehow explain the need for a "career change" in my cover letter, but don't know how to address it without putting myself at a disadvantage to other candidates.

Naturally, the hiring manager for any non-aviation 9-5 type job is going to look at my resume and wonder why on Earth I would leave my 6-figure airline job to do something else that doesn't even pay half as much. Furthermore, of course I have no pertinent experience in the field, as all I've ever done is fly.

I have a 4 year degree in Communication/Media Studies, but zero experience in the field (no internships -- nothing).

I'm also going to apply to Flight Safety since that appears to be the only viable aviation job at the moment, but am a bit uneasy on how to address my loss of Medical situation with them. I'm sure I'm not the first, and won't be the last.

Any tips and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cirrus4ZP

I am in no way qualified or experienced enough to have my .02 be worth the .02, but I have had multiple professors throughout my time in a collegiate aviation program that were sidelined from their career due to medical.

todhog2

Flight Safety likes you to not have a medical.

Bumper

First sorry about the medical......Where are you located ? I would go with FSI for the following reasons keeps you involved in aviation just in case you don't get the medical back, if you teach in the jets etc pay is not bad, and you can pick up another type. PM if you want details in the interview at FSI.

rickair7777

Concur with the others, look to aviation ground training.


But if you want to apply to non-aviation jobs it would probably be fine to mention briefly that you can't fly due to a "minor medical issue" which in no way impacts you ability to do a desk job. Outside aviation they can't even ask about medical history so they would be obligated to treat you fairly.

Might want to run this by a pro headhunter though.

Starscream

I am located in New York, so I've got LGA and TEB fairly close by. At the moment, only LGA is hiring (BE-1900 -- I have no experience).

My biggest concern with the FSI route is a potential 2yr commitment. I am hoping I'm out another year, at most. My Medical is denied not because of any condition, but a Neurological event for which the FAA seems to insist on at least 24 months of ''observation.'' I am 16 months in.

As it stands now, I get to reapply in January, but then it takes 3-4 more months for a determination -- for those of you who've never had to deal with a deferred Medical. It's a headache even if it does end up getting approved in the end. Health wise, I've been good as new for over a year.

The fact that I'm going to be out several months as opposed to several years (from now) is something of a mixed blessing. It may make me unattractive for most permanent positions.

Xdashdriver

Just as a side note on the deferred medical thing, you do NOT have to wait that long (3-4 months) if you go to the right AME. Talk to Dr. Bruce Chien. [email protected]. As you were.

Starscream

I emailed him a few months ago, and he told me I was going to get screwed. He was right about that. He even predicted who was going to do the screwing.

One big problem with the FAA these days is they tend to send cases for anything significant (and mine was a significant Neurological event) to independent consultants for review. That alone takes up the better part of 2 months. I'm not too sure any AME can get around that, but I could be wrong.

I already saw one Dr who was sold as a miracle worker (he is, himself, an FAA Consultant) and even with his ties I waited 4 1/2 months (I was told he'd speed things up) and then in the end I got a denial. I was told his help (and favorable report from him) would all but assure a 1yr wait after my event. As we were getting to the final stages he even emailed me a guarantee saying that my Medical would be approved. Didn't happen. Denied.

I'll certainly get in touch with Dr. Bruce when the time comes for me to see an AME again next year. If he can get around the need for the FAA's external Consultants to get involved, I'll definitely consider seeing him.