Sydrock

Years after being grounded due to being diagnosed with Glomularonephritus (kidney disease), I am trying to get back in the game, but running into a brick wall. The Kidney disease that terminated my enlisted aviation career in the Air Force six years ago, has now gone into remission. The Air Force Flight Docs won't give me the time of day anymore, because I "was diagnosed with a Kidney disease at one time".

As I near the end of my Air Force career I would love to get back into aviation in the civilian sector (pilot or any other position). Does anyone know if Civilian Flight Docs are as anal as the AF about a diagnosis of something that doesn't have any current negative physical health concerns, but if there were the onset would be extremely gradual, over a very long period of time (years)?

fiveninerzero

Now I am definitely no AME or Flight Surgeon, but I can tell you that my civilian medical process is a joke compared to what the AF puts you through. On a scale of 1-10 my experiences were a 10 with the AF flight docs, and my FAA docs exam I would rate a 2 as far as thoroughness is concerned.

You're not in a high threat environment like the AF anymore, you really could just walk into a doc's office and get an answer on the spot about your chances.

USMCFLYR

There is a virtual FAA AME website (you could find it on Google) and it was very easy to use. You just typed in your medical problem and it took you to the section that was applicable and it told you what was/was not allowed, what could/could not be waived and a lot more useful information. Good luck!

USMCFLYR

rickair7777

Virtual Flight Surgeons Inc. -- Your One Source for FAA Medical Certification Waiver Assistance!

They also do consulting for a fee.

If your problem was minor enough that you were allowed to stay in the AF in a non-flying capacity, odds are good that you can get an FAA medical. You may have to provide documentation and get evaluation from a specialist (at your own expense).

If you are considering professional flying, get a first class medical. If you jump through all the hoops for a third class but came back later for a first, you may have to repeat the whole process.

Bustin

Sydrock, I was diagnosed with late stage kidney disease in December '08 with 23% function remaining a week after failing one of my annual physicals for high BP (it was a huge shock to say the least). Was flying for a 121 carrier at the time. I was content to just wait until a transplant to consider returning to work but was told by my regional flight surgeon to go ahead and apply before the transplant. I did and after about 3 months had not received a decision yet when I decided to go ahead with the transplant (which of course started a whole new application process). My point is, I had end stage renal disease that was continuing to progress at a slow rate, and to top it off the actual cause of the failure was unknown, and they STILL told me I could possibly get my medical back prior to transplant. I'm now about 2 1/2 weeks into them having my new info from the transplant I received in March of this year.

Good luck to you in the future with your Glomularonephritus. It's amazing what they can do for these things these days. I only wish they had caught mine sooner.

If you have any questions about how the process went for me feel free to PM me.

kc135driver

My wife has G+17 and has seen her kidneys rebound from about 38% to over 67% (where they stop measuring from what I understand). She isn't a flyer so it is not pertinent to Sydroc's question but I was wondering if anybody who has seen it in remission has seen their blood pressure drop back to a normal range?

Best wishes, I sincerely hope you guys get back in the air-

KC