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FAA Aeromedical Delays

Old 01-16-2020, 03:18 PM
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Default FAA Aeromedical Delays

Wanted to compare notes with everyone on the feds and medical certification.

Long story short, I was in a car accident in November, suffered a concussion but that’s about it. Went to my AME he said I was ok but wanted to refer me to the FAA and have them make the call for me to go back to work at my regional. I sent them all my medical records in early December, and since then (about a month) they are saying “your application has been reviewed but no decision has been made”.

Is this a normal procedure for a concussion? Does anyone else have experience with this?
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Old 01-16-2020, 03:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 3400 View Post
Wanted to compare notes with everyone on the feds and medical certification.

Long story short, I was in a car accident in November, suffered a concussion but that’s about it. Went to my AME he said I was ok but wanted to refer me to the FAA and have them make the call for me to go back to work at my regional. I sent them all my medical records in early December, and since then (about a month) they are saying “your application has been reviewed but no decision has been made”.

Is this a normal procedure for a concussion? Does anyone else have experience with this?
is this a special issuance medical? When I went through the process 12/18-2/19 it took close to 3 months.

Also do you fly for an ALPA carrier. If you do contact ALPA Aeromedical and AMAS immediately. They should always be your first call. Not your AME.
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Old 01-16-2020, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by flynd94 View Post
is this a special issuance medical? When I went through the process 12/18-2/19 it took close to 3 months.

Also do you fly for an ALPA carrier. If you do contact ALPA Aeromedical and AMAS immediately. They should always be your first call. Not your AME.
Not a special issuance, they said they didn’t even revoke my medical, but “they recommend that I ground myself”.

I spoke with ALPA medical first and they referred me to my AME.
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Old 01-16-2020, 03:53 PM
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Sort of depends on the severity of the concussion. Flying in Big Blue they could wind up grounding you for up to a year if it was severe enough, especially if you were in fighters. The issue was post concussion seizures IIRC.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4516165/

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Old 01-21-2020, 05:28 AM
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Originally Posted by 3400 View Post
Not a special issuance, they said they didn’t even revoke my medical, but “they recommend that I ground myself”.

I spoke with ALPA medical first and they referred me to my AME.
That is highly unusual. You contacted AMAS in Colorado correct?
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Old 03-10-2020, 10:53 AM
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I wanted to see if anyone has updated on how long special issuance's are taking these days? Anyone have a recent timeline of how long it took the FAA to review your file?
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Old 03-11-2020, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by sdsunick1 View Post
I wanted to see if anyone has updated on how long special issuance's are taking these days? Anyone have a recent timeline of how long it took the FAA to review your file?
Impossible to generalize. Each one is different, that’s why they call it “Special Issuance.” Simple special issuances can sometimes be done by the AME him/herself, if they are comfortable doing so and criteria. Are met:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ss/general/si/

unexplained (or not satisfactorily explained) loss of consciousness might require an extensive work up and then even if that is normal a prolonged observation period before Special Issuance might even be considered.

if you can get on the good side of your regional flight surgeon they can usually keep you apprised of what the progress is on your case.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certifi...ification/rfs/
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Old 04-07-2020, 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Excargodog View Post
Impossible to generalize. Each one is different, that’s why they call it “Special Issuance.” Simple special issuances can sometimes be done by the AME him/herself, if they are comfortable doing so and criteria. Are met:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ss/general/si/

unexplained (or not satisfactorily explained) loss of consciousness might require an extensive work up and then even if that is normal a prolonged observation period before Special Issuance might even be considered.

if you can get on the good side of your regional flight surgeon they can usually keep you apprised of what the progress is on your case.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certifi...ification/rfs/
AMAS submitted my medical package yesterday. I was told that the approval time from OKC can be anywhere from 8-12 weeks....average 10.5 weeks. Hope this helps.
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Old 04-08-2020, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Retread View Post
AMAS submitted my medical package yesterday. I was told that the approval time from OKC can be anywhere from 8-12 weeks....average 10.5 weeks. Hope this helps.
AMAS submitted mine early January. Still nothing. I know a couple guys coming up on 5 months who still haven’t heard about their SI. And with everything going on in the word I’m just hoping they haven’t shut down issuing these altogether. Very frustrating.
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Old 04-08-2020, 10:58 AM
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At this point in my career and with COVID-19 circulating, I'm not in any hurry to return. I understand how frustrating waiting can be. Again, AMAS told me on April 7, average wait time 10.5 weeks, I'll take one for the team and and move to the back of the line so others can return sooner!
Hey Pat....in general terms, what was your medical issue?
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