worstpilotever

Understand, trying to determine what specifically this entails. fly around the pattern? do a 3 hour check ride?

JohnBurke

Note that a SODA (FAA Form 8500-15) may bear limitations, to include restrictions on international use (does not comply with Annex 6, ICAO, etc), as well as restrictions to a given class of medical (eg, Class 3 or 2). One may or may not qualify for a first class medical.

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_pr...tech/item23-24

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_pr...l/appeals/soda

https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/app_pr...ch/et/31-34/mv

To obtain a SODA, you'll need to complete a medical flight test (MFT), which will be performed by an aviation safety inspector (ASI). Before you can get that MFT, you'll need a letter of authorization (LOA) from either the regional flight surgeon, or from the Federal Air Surgeon, Manager, Aerospace Medical Certification Division. Your AME can initiate the request, but can't issue the LOA.

The MFT can be conducted on its own, or combined with a flight test (such as a test for certification; a practical test for a certificate or rating. The outcome of the MFT when combined with a practical test is that either can be passed independently of the other. It's possible to fail the MFT and pass the practical test, or to pass the MFT, but fail the practical test (or pass both, or fail both). Upon completin of the MFT, limitations will be placed on the medical certificate, based on the determination of the ASI. Limitations may be added, or removed from privileges, based on the outcome of a MFT. The SODA, if subsequently issued, will contain these limitations, and is considered permanent, meaning that you won't have to re-test for it, once the test is complete, a determination made, and the SODA issued. You can re-test later, if you feel that any restrictions on the SODA can be removed. The FAA may also elect to withdraw the SODA, and the SODA is no longer valid if a change in medical condition occurs (eg, vision deteriorates, etc).

The MFT will be tailored toward the reason for the SODA; in other words, a hearing defect will address the ability to hear the radio, the airplane, etc. A vision defect will focus on specific tasts such as:
The ability to select emergency landing fields at a distance, from high altitudes, and over unfamiliar terrain;
The ability to simulate forced landings in difficult fields, noting the manner of approach, rate of descent, and comparitive distance at which obstructions are recognized;
The ablity to recognize other aircraft approaching on a collision course (in particular, aircraft approaching from the far right or left);
The ability to judge distance and recognize landmarks (in the ASI's estimation);
The ability to land the aircraft;
The ability to read aeronautical charts and tune the aircraft radios;
The ability to read and interpret instruments quickly and correctly.

Formerly, only an aviation safety inspector (FAA employee) could perform a medical flight test; a couple of years ago that changed to include designated examiners. The person giving the MFT will require demonstration from the pilot sufficient to satisfy the examiner of ability and function. The specifics of what the examiner/ASI may require are person-specific, meaning it's not like a practical test standard. It's tailored to you, and to the person giving the MFT.

Limitations may be applied which limit one to a type of aircraft, or operation, or restrict one from either, or to specific use of equipment (contacts, glasses, etc), or even conditions of flight (day, etc). In some cases, an applicant may be required to test or demonstrate at each level of privilege or certification: any unsatisfactory perofrmance may result in a limitation "not valid." The SODA itself is essentially a certification by the ASI that the condtiion which prompted the MFT is not expected to become worse; if the condtion is anticipated to worsen or degerate, then the MFT and SODA aren't appropriate, and one would look toward a special issuance (which normally come with time limits, and specific terms and conditions).

You may be interested in IvanSky's youtube video of his SODA application process, for monocular vision: https://youtu.be/OPHJO0Te_JM. This video covers the entire process that a private pilot applicant underwent, from the initial AME visit to a letter of authorization, to the medical flight test and subsequent issueance of the SODA, and it's limitations.

Excargodog

You may also wish to have a lawyer go over the terms of your airlines short and LTD policies since you apparently qualify for an FAA Class 1 or 2now and may or may not qualify after you voluntarily undertake surgery that has a known failure rate (ie., a certain number of people doing this will predictably fail to qualify for flying afterwards and all will require a six month down period even if the operation goes well without complications and is totally successful at restoring yiu to standards) to clarify for sure whether the terms of your airline's disability policies after elective surgery will cover the down period and if your failure to ever regain your license after elective surgery will be covered by their LTD policy.

And have your own lawyer verify it. Don't trust to HRs interpretation. Depending on your age, this might cost the LTD insurance company (or you) millions of dollars. you don't have to guess who the insurance company would rather have take the hit.

worstpilotever

Agreed, and something i plan to look into as i research.