Special Issuance Question
 

I'm not sure where to post this but I'll start here.

I have a friend that was just turned down for a job for which he was very qualified, the interviews went well and it sounded like he would get the job. He has a one year SI for a "minor" medical issue, has never had a problem and is very healthy. Toward the end of the final interview, he felt obligated to disclose the fact that he has a SI and why.

Long story short, he was turned down for the job and he thinks it's because of the SI. My question is, do any of you think that having a SI severely limits your ability to get a job? I understand it allows you to keep your current job, but how does it affect any future jobs?

I understand the Feds have recently changed the medical certification process and thousands of pilots are now flying on SI's for a medical issue that had never been an "issue" in the past.

If you were in position of hiring a pilot with a SI, what would you do?

Thanks.

I know some airlines have required a "clean" 1C medical to get hired so there is certainly precedent for excluding applicants with an SI.

I'm not sure where this stands in the legal spectrum....may be a grey area.

But I would not disclose an SI unless they ask, although I think they can tell by looking at your medical.

You would think that to level the playing field, so to speak, that the SI "stamp" wouldn't appear on a medical. I guess it could be looked at or compared to something similiar to "wears corrective lenses" on one's driver's license.

As far as the "clean" 1C medical....sounds like a liability issue to me. No worries though, b/c this guy in question should be able to get a "clean" medical after the one year of being in the SI program.



atp

Yes, it's all about liability...how it will look in court in front of a jury of our "peers" and how much sensational leverage it will give a plaintiff's attorney.

He's hoping to get a "clean" medical. I told him next time don't say anything unless they ask. Bottom line, he has a first class med, is in great shape, just has to jump through some hoops every year to keep it.

Tell me bout it!!!!:D




atp

I believe that once the determination has been made that you have complied with the provisions of your SI, your medical is issued without further notation. It won't say, "Hey, this guy was an alky!" or "Watch out for this one, his last EKG was a little shaky" The SI stuff is all between your AME and the FAA flight surgeon, and any other medical professionals the FAA chooses to employ.

I'm not certain employers are allowed to question prospective employees about their medical history beyond that which is necessary for them to perform their jobs. If the job requires a Class II medical and you have one in your possession, that's all you need. If the job requires a Class II medical, and that you load heavy items into the plane, they can ask you if you are capable of lifting such items. They can't ask you "what you did to get so strong?"

Stated on his medical "Not valid for any class after XX-XX-XXXX date." Those few words all but say "This guy has a problem and this is a Special Issuance Medical". Plus he must carry an additional letter spelling out exactly what the medical problem is and what tests are required to be completed prior to his next physical.

I'm not sure he'll ever get a clean 1C medical.

Yeah, that's the problem...an SI will probably have a non-standard expiration date. Dead giveaway.

He should be able to get one. From what I've seen in the regs, an SI cannot exceed 5 yrs. So....either the FAA will award an unrestricted/"clean" (regardless if it's 1st, 2nd or 3rd class) medical or they will not renew it.



atp

He just found out yesterday from his AME that he'll always have an SI. He's taking meds and will be on these meds for life, hence the lifetime SI.

Not true Wannabe, the SI letter is for 6 years ....usually.... each year certain things must be submitted to the FAA to keep your SI active. The AME will issue the annual medical and the regional flight surgeon will review the data to be sure you are maintaining the standards set forth in the SI. At the end of the 6 years the SI letter that the person must carry will be reissued and can continue to be reissued every 6 years until either the pilot along with his AME petitions to have the SI removed, usually meaning the condition is now under control an no longer requiring the meds needed in the past or the pilot no longer requires a medical thus not getting his SI. YES the state that the medical is not valid for ANY class medical beyond the annual one year point is on the medical and is a give away.

I have a special issuance and I choose to have my AME also be the treating MD for my condition I think it makes it a bit easier when your MD understands what the FAA wants and needs to get the SI.

Bottom line.. is you can have an SI the rest of your career if needed, but the letter must be reissued every 6 years.

disclaimer...different conditions may have different SI letter times.... mine is 6 years.

Agreed. My situation is of a different nature and based upon the nature of my issue one can be enrolled in the SI program for up to 5 yrs given that the applicant follows a few simple rules.



atp

Different conditions, different SI times. For instance, a cardiovascular or diabetes SI is lifetime.

I have take Adderall for ADD and went to pilot medical solutions and they sent me an email saying this.

Thank you for your inquiry to Pilot Medical Solutions (www.*************).
While we can most likely help you gain FAA approval, the medication
which you submitted is disqualifying. In addition, a medical history
requiring this medication poses an obstacle to certification even if this
drug has been discontinued. Aviation Medical Examiners are not
authorized to issue certificates with these issues. They must defer the
application which can take 6 months to a year without our service. In
addition, your medical history will require special issuance of a medical
certificate under Federal Aviation Regulation 67.401 (see:
http://www.*************/special_issuance.htm).

I understand that I must get off the medicine to get my medical. Is their any possible way that I could get the SI off of my medical? Would I have to get a letter saying that I have outgrown the ADD? Or would I have to have a letter saying that I was misdiagnosed? Also, would the AME have any say to whether an SI should be taken off.

Best Regards,
Robert

He's on thyroid meds and will be for life. The FAA in all their wisdom recently decided that anyone on thyroid meds will be issued an SI. In the past this was not an issue. Go figure!