leeaf7

What is a recent turn-around time for an initial approval to come back from OKC for simple SI? AME's office when they filed the paperwork for me told me 2-3 months but wondering if there's any other stories? Any experience attempting to get a verbal authorization before receiving the official letter?

Thanks for reading.

WhisperJet

In my opinion, 2-3 months is unacceptable when your livelihood depends on your medical review. I think each pilot should write his or her congressional representative.

leeaf7

The official timeline these days believe it or not is 120 days. They are being optimistic when they say 2-3 months...

chuxson

I have to do a treadmill every year for my SI and never have any treadmill issues. Turned in my treadmill and report in June. Still haven’t heard back and am using sick leave for income. It’s unbelievable compared to previous years. I used to give two months lead time before my medical expired but will probably push it out to four months. Ugh.

BoilerUP

Can’t AMAS/ALPA Aeromedical speed this process along?

chuxson

I’m working that angle. Will report if it works out.

WhisperJet

try calling your regional flight surgeons office. And your congressional respresentative.

leeaf7

so 120-day turnaround time is actual reality. awesome.

swiftdev082

I believe special issuances have to go all the way up to the Federal Air Surgeon in DC. Mine took about 5 months after everything was submitted to get the rubber stamp of approval.

You'll want to work every angle you can here to make sure it doesn't drag out. The FAA doesn't have to do anything, so it's best to put a little fire under their feet. Heres what I did:

BTW Before doing any of this, give it 2-3 months. That's pretty standard as far as reply times go with FAA medical reviews. People will be more willing to help you if it's been that long since everything was sent in. Otherwise you get the "its still waiting for review, give it some more time" standard response.

1. After 2-3 months I started calling my regional flight surgeon's office every other week and they noted my calls in my file. Sometimes they "Emailed" someone on my behalf up the chain. They were very pleasant to work with.
2. Call OKC medical hotline once a week and ask them to note your file that you called, each time. (405) 954-4821 option 1) call multiple times a day if you get the "sorry we're too busy" recording. Usually early morning and lunch time (12pm central time) are good times.
3. Use AOPA or other medical lobbying services as you are currently doing.
4. At 4+ months of waiting and still no answer, I wrote my both my senators offices who wrote letters to the FAA on my behalf. Usually you have to write them a letter detailing the situation and how they can help.

Just keep at it! Good luck

swiftdev082

And yeah the wait does suck, but honestly what I did was set my expectations of 5-6 months and vowed to make them productive. I got a part time job at FlightSafety doing right seat in one of their simulators (no medical required) became a better pilot along the way. The time flew by and I had my medical and it sure felt good. It's nice to know you went through the process the right way. Lots of people lie to get around it and potentially expose themselves to severe penalties including loss of their FAA certificates and even criminal prosecution.