Lapsing Medical with Special Issuance
 

Hey everyone, I've just recently received my special issuance in the mail but now only have 1.5 months before my class 1 medical runs out to get all the required paperwork. What happens if I can't get the required documentation for my special issuance prior to my medical expiring? I understand that an AME can't issue me a certificate if I don't have the required medical documentation described in my special issuance. Any insight is greatly appreciated!

DO NOT! Do not show up to your AME without the proper documentation. Just let your medical expire until you are ready. Once you have it go in and get your medical. Having it lapse is no big deal, having them not issue can be a big deal. Mine expired waiting for the same reason.

How long did it take to recieve your SI paperwork?

The paperwork which came with the special issuance will spell out what is required and the terms of the special issuance. It may, for example, state that your medical will be valid for six months, and may be re-issued by an AME for a period of two years based on specific documentation.

If in doubt, enlist the assistance of an aviation medical professional who specializes in special issuance. The most oft-recommended here, and by some unions, is AMAS.

The biggest roadblock that delays receipt of special issuance is failure to submit all the required documentation. This results in a series of back-and forth with the FAA as more documentation is requested. This can be minimized by seeking support from medical specialist representation.

So letting my medical lapse won't invalidate my special issuance? That's my major concern, I currently don't require a FAA medical but I don't want to undo all the work I've done to get the SI.

Also, if your medical lapses, is it considered an 'initial' when I go back to get a Class1?

There is no such thing as an "initial" medical certificate, or a recurrent one, for that matter. Just a medical certificate.

Again, you need to consider the paperwork which came with your special issuance, which will spell out all the terms and conditions to hold the special issuance and exercise its privileges, as well as the duration, means of medical certificate maintenance or application, and so on. You haven't provided any information, but your paperwork will tell you what you need.

You are best counseled to enlist the support of a specialist in FAA medical special issuance; most frequenlty recommended is AMAS.

I'm on a fairly onerous SI medical due to basically being the Temu/Dollar Tree Darth Vader. Mine has expired numerous times due to military leave, being out on disability, etc.

The SI paperwork sent to you by the FAA when they approved it have how long it's good for, what you must provide to renew etc.

Mine was over a year out of date, I just brought everything I needed.

In my case, once a year I must bring CPAP report, visit note from pulmonary, labs and forms from endocrinology, and a signed statement that my orthopedic issues haven't worsened. the other items are "lifetime" provided no changes.

Bring exactly what your SI letter states. I normally send my AME a copy of what I'm bringing a few weeks out, and she let's me know what else I need to bring, if anything.