Problematic medical for potential new student?

Doug S wrote:

*definitely* require a waiver. The question to the group is, what are my
chances? In other words, I don't want to go through the hassle of getting
all my records together if there's not much of a chance I will receive the
waiver.

Well, you're right in understanding that you have a complicated road
ahead. First questions:

1. How much money do you have?
2. How bad do you want it?

The FAA is, by global standards, very progressive on medical
certification. Whether you succeed depends in no small part on how hard
you are willing to work. The review board will no doubt ask for tests,
more tests, and tests to check the tests, few if any of which will be
covered under your medical insurance.

So currently, my medical status is:

1) Fatty liver: Stay away from products containing Acetomenaphin , and also
alcohol.
2) Borderline high cholestorol: My GP wants me on Lipitor, but due to the
liver side effects I am wary. I have not started taking the drug, but am
first trying to lower it through diet and exercise
3) History of migraines. Controlled by acute intervention medications. No
attack in the past four months, could be related to the drug switching.
4) Osteoarthritis in the knees. Controlled by Daypro with no discernable
side effects except upset stomach if I don't take it with food.


What do y'all think, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?


Prescription meds are one issue. Some are blessed by the FAA, others
are not. If you're using ones that are "bad," then you need to see if
you can switch to an approved alternative. Sometimes there is no
alternative, for instance, depression treated by prescription drugs is
a blanket no-go area. If you're off the drugs however, you should be OK
there.

I haven't read up on migraines much but IIRC certification is possible
if certain criteria are met relating to suppression through medication
and so on.

Not sure about the fatty liver, but I suspect it's not an issue unless
there's a medication conflict. Arthiritis? I have no idea but if it's
under control it's probably not a deal-killer.

The loss-of-consciousness event will complicate things significantly.
Not knowing any better, this plus the migraines would make me approach
the subject very cautiously.

A year ago the answer to this question was simple: go for it, you have
nothing to lose.

Now, with Sport Pilot, you do have something to lose. Specifically, you
can fly as a sport pilot using a so-called driver's license medical (as
proof of fitness to fly), but only if you have not previously been
denied an FAA medical certificate. If you are uncertifiable under
current standards (say for use of Prozac) and you apply for a medical,
then you lose the driver's license option.

In other words, if Sport Pilot provides all or most of what you want,
then I would focus my attention there first. The biggest downside right
now is that the infrastructure is lacking, and finding planes to rent,
instructors, etc will be harder, but it's going to get better, maybe
very quickly, over the next couple of years.

For more detailed and knowledgeable advice, a great place to start is
AOPA. A $40 membership buys you access to their medical team, who can
answer many questions.

Second, there are a number of specialist physicians out there who serve
as medical consultants to pilots. Many of their clients are airline
captains whose livelihood relies on getting certified, and they know as
well as anyone how to give a pilot the best chance of making the grade.
Naturally this is an added expense. If you want a cheaper hobby, have
you considered polo?

Best,
-cwk.