I went to leftseat.com in hopes they could help me gain medical approval etc for the fact I just recently got off of anti depressant medication. But they charge around 1200-1800 dollars . Anyone know of a cheaper route?

You could try these people, I've used them. They are very helpful and their website is a gold mine of information. Don't know if it's any less expensive though, but you always have to ask your self, "what's it worth to me?". Good luck.

http://www.aviationmedicine.com/pilothelp.htm#waiver

I'm not a MD, but I believe use of prescribed anti depressant medication is a disqualifier for issuance of an FAA medical cert. If they can get you one, it's going to be a big paper push between Oak. City and your doctor which takes time, and time is money. Good luck, I'd be interested to know if you find someone who can do it for less.

Aviationmedicine.com quotes:

Special Issuance Conditions (1st and 2nd Class) $1950

* Coronary Artery Disease (Heart Attack, Stent, By-Pass, Revascularization)
* Valve Replacement, Pacemaker
* Aotric Aneurysms
* Stroke and TIA
* Syncope, Loss of Consciousness
* Head Trauma with Loss of Consciousness
* HIV seropositivity on medication
* Depression, Psychosis, Bipolar, Personality Disorder
* Alcohol / Drug Abuse Dependence (not IMS services)
* Diabetes on Insulin (3rd class only eligible)
* Petitions to correct previous erroneously completed medical applications


Doesn't look like a cheap fix.

Plan on delays..
This is just what I heard from a former Co-worker.
A pilot I used to fly with used leftseat to get his medical back and was not to happy with the results.

Once you have been disqualified for a medical-when you try to get the medical back your entire medical history becomes fair game. The FAA will want every piece of paper work from every doctor you've seen over the years. In other words, its like opening up a can of worms. (one problem may turn into 5)

Where you find the problem in not with leftseat, but with being able to track down and recieve reports from your previous doctors. (now this will vary depending on medical history) If the paper work submitted to the feds is incomplete or they want more info- you go to the bottom of the pile and it may take a long long time to get another look. ( he's going on a year with no answer)

Leftseat- by their location is just more of a channell to speed up the process and put your paperwork right in front of the feds. When the feds have the paper work its up to them. Make sure of one thing, whoever you use dots all the i's and crosses the t's.

Keep in mind, the medical department in understaffed- the most of the members on the board of medical review in the reserves and shipped off to the desert. (from what I've heard)

I wish you the best of luck and hope you get your ticket.

Have you tried AOPA medical? Or ALPA medical? They are free for members.

You don't need leftseat or anyone else for that matter. The FAA protocols are very clear on medication use.

Do yourself a favor, get a good AME and discuss your situation. No amount of money can circumvent the FAA's 90 day rule so stay away from those who say they can provide a quick fix for $$$$.

Good luck !


AL

Pilot Medical Solutions (www.leftseat.com) dealth with my problem very well. I had 3 medical issues (all different FAA protocols) and they had my medical back in about 10 days. They are down the street from the FAA but also contacted my doctors and assured they provided what was needed.
I did look around before using their service. Getting a good AME would NOT have fixed this problem quickly. An AME didn't have the authority to issue the waiver and there wasn't anyone else who was willing to go out and get the essential records which to me was the most important thing.

As for cost, I probably saved money when you factor what I would have lost in down time.

THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY

I am David Hale, Executive Director of Pilot Medical Solutions.
I noticed that "BOB HOOVER" didn't sign his real name.

Obviously there are organizations which stand to benefit from tarnishing our good reputation. Pilot Medical Solutions does not have an "unacceptable" rating with the Oklahoma City Better Business Bureau. See:
Oklahoma City: Home.

The post from "Bob Hoover" is either bogus or are from someone trying to promote another company or organization.

LEFTSEAT.com (Pilot Medical Solutions) does not have a current, or even a recent client which does not have constant communication via our toll-free phone number or our website and email system.

If this person has a medical history which created obstacles to FAA Medical Certification, this is the REAL problem. Even the simplest of medical conditions can create a significant challenge with FAA Medical certification. Occasionally a pilot will attempt to obtain medical certification when he/she is not qualified. When this occurs they will often provide incomplete information which further complicates the process. If things don't work out, people tend to blame someone else for their medical problem.

You can read posts from some of our many satisfied clients at: FAA Medical Certification / Success Stories. I welcome any honest questions about the benefits and legitimacy of our service.

I trust that Airline Pilot Central Forums will soon remove this obviously slanderous posts by "Bob Hoover".

With respect,
David Hale
__________________________________________________ _______
David R. Hale, Executive Director, Pilot Medical Solutions, Inc.
405-787-0303 | Mail: [email protected] | URL: Welcome to Pilot Medical Solutions - Confidential FAA Medical Certification / Aviation Medicine
5901 Philip J. Rhoades, Suite 217, Bethany Oklahoma, 73008
__________________________________________________ _______

Anyone else out there disappointed with Leftseat? So far, my experience hasn't matched the glowing reviews posted on their website. Maybe my expectations were inflated, but I was hoping they would provide timely assistance navigating the FAA regulations concerning my teenage son's complicated medical history.
When i first inquired about their service, I got an immediate response that was excellent. However after paying the first part of the fees, the service hasn't instilled much confidence in me. Now that they have everything they need for submission to the FAA since last week, I can't get in touch with them to answer a few additional questions, which hasn't surprised me. Maybe they are just swamped with other clients.(?) Anyone else finding the same too?
David Hale, my son needs your help. The kid wants to be a pilot with a special issuance for his monocular vision, and I want to write an awesome review of your company.

See recent posting:

20/25 Vision

Difficult to give advice with no details. Waivers for totally monocular vision have been given by the FAA - even for class 1. But if the history is more complicated than that childhood ADD/ADHD or something, there will likely have to be additional testing in accordance with FAA protocols.

But a ten year old posting by David Hale responding to a different ten year old posting doesn't mean he is a regular reader of this thread.

Until you resurrected it, I'd be surprised if a hundred people have looked at it in the last decade.