Originally Posted by JohnBurke

A common reason for an additional-paperwork or records request is that the aviator applicant has provided insufficient. With many physicians working through online access now, pilots will use the records they download through their online access at that physicians facility, and the FAA wants more than what's downloadable. If all that's been provided are the downloaded summary and other documents, the FAA will likely want everything, including in some cases hospital records, etc. If there has been a delay in getting to the case due to the number of SI submitted nationwide, then the frustration at that point is that the can is being kicked down the road. It's not, but the requisite paperwork is lacking. It's for that reason that working through a service such as AMAS is a wise call.

The consulting fee at AMAS is fifty bucks for two days of email access, or seventy, I believe, for two days of phone access. If one goes that route, have all the documentation on hand before you make contact, to fully utilize the consultation.

You posted while I was typing, so I'll edit to add a few thoughts. There's nothing wrong with pressing forward with your flight training, as clearly you understand the risks and rewards and the potential cost of doing so. Some of us are driven to fly. It's that simple. That said, are you seeking a Class 1, 2, or 3 medical presently? There isn't a great deal more involved in a first class vs. third, but the standards are a little more stringent with each higher class, and the intervals are shorter. What class medical you seek will really depend on where you plan to go with your flight training.

Though you're past the point presently, basic med covers private flying without a FAA medical ,but requires that there's been no rejection for a medical certificate. Once applied for and once past 60 days, a resolution needs to happen with the existing medical; either approval or denial. If approved, you may operate under the medical conditions given, or simply keep the approved medical and let it lapse if you intend to continue flying under basic med...you can do that if you don't have a revocation or denial (special issuance may have a wrinkle, however). This simplifies the process going forward, if the flying is simply for fun or enjoyment.

The caveat with all cases is that one is required to self-ground any time a condition occurs which does not make one medically fit or airworthy. The FAA's medical certification not withstanding, any FAA medical certificate, or basic med privilege is suspended upon any condition which makes one unable to be fit enough to hold the certificate, according to the standards prescribed for the certificate. That could mean a headcold, or something more serious: the medical certificate isn't valid for use until one is fit again.

You may receive something in the mail during your wait, that implies you have run into a legal problem with the process or with the FAA. In such a case you'll want to follow up right away with a service like AMAS, but it may not be as dire as it seems, and should be followed shortly by another letter that doesn't sound as threatening. The FAA also sends out notices to airman who hold medical certificates, advising them of enforcement action, should they not meet the standards for that certificate; this doesn't mean that the FAA is actually taking enforcement action, but the FAA does take that step with issued medicals that are more than 60 days past issuance, for legal reasons, when medical certification is in doubt. This has to do with the basic med program that allows pilots to fly without a medical certificate (private flying); the FAA won't allow a pilot with a medical deficiency to simply surrender the certificate and keep flying under basic med in that case, but will the medical, cutting off the path to legal use of basic med. In your case, you're still waiting on issuance, so it shouldn't apply, but I mention it as there are cases in which airmen do eventually get the certificate and then find it revoked, and wonder why the FAA found them fit, then not fit...that's not necessarily the case, confusing as it may sound.

I'll add the disclaimer that I don't work for AMAS and get nothing for mentioning them; I have no affiliation and I'm not advertising their services. They are used by ALPA, SWAPA, Atlas, and numerous other companies, however, for good reason, and most of their clients are professional aviators. I think of retaining such services as an investment.

Originally Posted by JohnBurke

I understand, believe me.

The watched pot never boils and the clock that's under scrutiny....well, it just moves slower.

If you have the cash and don't mind pursuing, it might be worth considering doing some extracurricular training while you're waiting. By that, I mean stuff outside the usual pipeline. Get a little tailwheel training or spend a little time in a glider. Glider pilots aren't required to hold a medical certificate.

Originally Posted by AviatorBimmer

LOL Loved that "watched pot never boils"! So true! 🤣

Those are some great suggestions, will definitely give them some consideration. Like I said before, I'll keep pressing forward and leaving everything in God's hands. If it's meant to be, it will be.

I'll continue flying, polishing my skills, building time and just enjoying every minute of it. It's finally my chance to pursue my lifelong childhood dream of becoming a pilot, and I will not lose faith. 🙏🏼

Originally Posted by WhisperJet

write your congressional representative.

Originally Posted by METOpwr

have you trued explaining your situation and emailing your Regional Flight Surgeon? Politely explain everything and include your MID# and everything.

thats what I did. My class 1 medical was issued 2 weeks later.

Originally Posted by METOpwr

have you trued explaining your situation and emailing your Regional Flight Surgeon? Politely explain everything and include your MID# and everything.

thats what I did. My class 1 medical was issued 2 weeks later.

Originally Posted by Shaftoe

FYI, here is a link to all the regional surgeons.
https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification/rfs

METO, I'm curious, which surgeon did you contact and how did the conversation proceed? I ask as I may need to do the same. TYIA

Originally Posted by METOpwr

You need to find the RFS for your region. I’m southeastern but you may be somewhere else. Use that link posted above.

He or she may ask your AME to call CAMI on your behalf. Just understand that FAA Aeromed is underfunded, understaffed and underpaid. They genuinely work hard to get to “Yes” on every medical. Something in the range of 99%+ get through on the first try for an AASI.

I just explained myself. Included the MID# found on MEDExpress. Be polite, and concise. I just wanted to know where I stood in the process.

It took me almost exactly 12 weeks to get my AASI, 1st class. I’m 121 PIC too. In a nutshell, I had 2 ablations to fix my Afib. I used AMAS to make sure my paperwork was in order. They are real good. Worth the $$ if you are non-ALPA.

I am a long time reader of APC but never posted until I lost my medical.

Originally Posted by METOpwr

You need to find the RFS for your region. I’m southeastern but you may be somewhere else. Use that link posted above.

He or she may ask your AME to call CAMI on your behalf. Just understand that FAA Aeromed is underfunded, understaffed and underpaid. They genuinely work hard to get to “Yes” on every medical. Something in the range of 99%+ get through on the first try for an AASI.

I just explained myself. Included the MID# found on MEDExpress. Be polite, and concise. I just wanted to know where I stood in the process.

It took me almost exactly 12 weeks to get my AASI, 1st class. I’m 121 PIC too. In a nutshell, I had 2 ablations to fix my Afib. I used AMAS to make sure my paperwork was in order. They are real good. Worth the $$ if you are non-ALPA.

I am a long time reader of APC but never posted until I lost my medical.