Nextlife

So I did my first first class medical a couple of weeks ago and the FAA kicked it back for two things. The first is for my EKG getting lost in the system somewhere, which should be an easy fix. But, the FAA changed their system to electronically submit EKGs on Monday, so my AME has to mail in the hard copy now. Not a big deal. The second kick back was for my PRK from last November. My last FAA medical was in 1999 since I've been flying on my AF1042 (second class equivalent) since then. I've been back actively flying since March with perfect vision and zero side effects. Now I have to go back to optometry for a new exam because the FAA forms ask for info the AF doesn't care about because it hasn't been on any of my return to fly exams. I'm not really surprised that the FAA wants my post surgery info, but I'm not sure why they care about my pre-op exam. I am surprised that 1) my second class medical isn't good enough to determine that my eyes are good enough for a first class and 2) my AME didn't see this coming. My AME has already sent in my hard copy and I have my optometry exam in a couple of weeks, so this is really just a rant against "the man" for the extra a$$ pain and to see if anyone had to deal with this relatively minor inconvenience and if the FAA found a way to make it more difficult.

rickair7777

They're just back-filling the paperwork they would have required of an active FAA medical holder who opted for PRK. Checking the boxes.

Yes EKG's get lost in the ether, it's happened to many of us.

ugleeual

1042 is equiv for Class 3 not a 2.