SkyHigh

Say, if you are instructing a Sport Pilot student who is ready to solo but does not have a medical what do you endorse?

Skyhigh

atpwannabe

The decision to approve your medical app may be deferred to FAA/OKC. If they don't make the determination, then it will be forwarded to FAA/Washington DC for a final decision. Get ready to undergo psychological and psychiatric testing. Since it is a 3rd class, you may not have to but be ready just in case.

I'm facing some of the same issues you are and actually I've had 3 psychiatric evals, 2 psychological evals. This includes the HIMS evaluation. The HIMS is conducted by those doctors that the FAA approves of. There are only 23 psychiatrist and 23 psychologist nationwide that are able/sanctioned/approved by the FAA to conduct these evaluations.

Obviously you're looking to pursue a flying career just like me. Don't sell yourself short. True, we've got some hills to climb and obstacles to overcome. Let's not fool ourselves. However, there are quite a few pilots (91, 121, 135), company execs, HR managers, and those in the hiring process who are friends of Bill W. They do exist. More than some would lead you to believe.




atp

HybridFlyer

atp, I read up on my issue and it looks like that the Medical Examiner will defer me to the FAA simply because I refused to blow for the breathalyzer when I got my DUI 8 years ago.

I'm kicking myself because it wouldn't have to be deferred since it is over 5 years old. I didn't blow at the time at the advice of an attorney.

Just out of curiosity, how much did your evaluations cost?

Really.. all I'm interested in is the 3rd class cert in the short term. I just want to be able to solo and I'm almost up to that point in my training.

I would be interested in a 2nd class.. but I realize the uphill battle I am already fighting.

jedinein

Click over to jetcareers.com and ask their senior AME on the medical forum about what would need to happen for a past DUI with a "refusal to blow." He'll give you the real dirt and, if you like, continue on the conversation in private email. He also seems to be the type that will work with a pilot to get things done instead of grounding a guy at the first opportunity.

atpwannabe

jedinein:

Yes, Dr. Forred on jetcareers.com will give you sound & current information about special issuance matters. His practice out in Arizona only deals with aviation medicine.


Hybrid:

If the FAA defers the approval to OKC or Washington DC, the Office of Medical Appeals may or will ask that you be evaluated by a psychiatrist and a psycholgist that are familiar with and knowledgable of the aviation standards concerning this issues surrounding alcohol/drug abuse and/or dependency. If you do not go to one of the 23 psychiatrist or psychologist that the FAA approves of, you are just wasting your time and money. The HIMS evaluation is two parts: psychiatric and psychological. My HIMS eval cost $3000.00. My evaluation was conducted in Orlando, FL. Prices may vary depending upon what part of the country you're in. I'm not sure.

My best advice to you concerning this issue is to research it to the fullest. Contact Dr. Forred as suggested. Not to take anything away from APC, but this guy is a Senior AME and knows his craft. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.


atp

rickair7777

If you have any commercial aspirations at all, go for a first class medical. The standards are almost identical to a second class, and if you jump through a bunch of hoops for a second they may make you repeat some of that if you try for a first down the road.

Almost all of the good pilot employers will require a first, even though it is not legally required except for an airline PIC.

A professional pilot who shows up at an interview with a second class medical basically is sending the message that he has some sort of medical issue. The employer may not be able to legally ask about it, but they will sure wonder.

atpwannabe

Hybrid this is good advice. Shoot for the 1st class. Trust me, you only want to go through this process ONE time. We have to remember that there are thousands of pilots out there with clean slates. Having to explain a 2nd class only opens up another can of worms. Eliminating our "liability" as far as this issue is concerned is paramount.



atp

cubflyer

PM me if you want the name of a good SAP evaluator. He is well respected by the FAA, and has been working with pilots for over 30 years. He was instrumental in developing the HIMS program at a major airline in conjunction with the FAA.

atpwannabe

Just curious.....are his initials D.A.?


atp

cubflyer

No, not the guy. PM me if you want his info.