3rd Class Medical - Jump Through Hoops?

Anyone is eligible to join AOPA at any time. In fact student pilots
(regardless of point in time of training) can benefit thru many
of the training programs, e.g. Flight Training mag, the Mentor
program, the website. Plus the legal advisor option (an additional
fee) and the medical advisor (comes with AOPA membership).

No, I'm not paid by AOPA. Nor do I get any kickbacks (I wish!)

Blanche wrote:
Anyone is eligible to join AOPA at any time. In fact student pilots
(regardless of point in time of training) can benefit thru many
of the training programs,

Many years ago you had to be an airplane owner or pilot (i.e., had a student
pilot certificate or better) to join AOPA. I guess they figured it made
there membership numbers look more legitimate. They dropped the question
from the membership applciation at least a decade ago.

Dave Butler wrote:

If you're not a member of AOPA, join. Actually, I'm not sure pre-solo students
are eligible to join...

They allowed me to join before I got my medical certificate.

George Patterson
I prefer Heaven for climate but Hell for company.

Dave Butler wrote:

Actually, I'm not sure pre-solo students are eligible to join.

Let me say this about that...

Before I even started my training I expected that I was going to have
problems getting my medical due to some kidney stone 'issues' I'd
experienced not long before. I called the AOPA medical line and told them
straight-up that I wasn't a member, and that I wasn't even a student pilot
yet. I explained my situation and they were more than happy to help. They
answered all my questions, gave me a plan of attack for passing the medical
(what tests to get done, what paperwork to bring to the AME, etc).
Following their advice I was able to get the AME to rubber-stamp my
application with no hassles at all.

I wrote them a dues check write away after that.

Gary, seeing that you're already a member, you shouldn't hesitate to call
them up and ask them the same questions you posted here. That's what
they're there for.

--
Bryan Burchfield, PP-ASEL
www.biffshangar.com

"GEG" wrote in message
...
[...]
The thing that got me was the Bextra has no FAA restrictions
yet he wants medical records specifically on my use of Bextra.
Plus, I only have 2 weeks to get the info.

Is this normal?

Since probably most pilots don't take Bextra, I don't see how any handling
of Bextra could be considered "normal" one way or the other. Why the
two-week deadline, I don't know. That seems odd. Typically, any
irregularities like that would just result in your application being
"deferred" to the FAA offices in Oklahoma City. It should be out of your
AME's hands, the moment anything falls outside the normal procedures he's
supposed to follow.

There were a half-dozen other pilots through there, one older
gentleman who seemed as though he could barely walk and he went
right through (I'd imagine he is a professional pilot
and has been going there a long time.)

Do I need to worry? I mean, my hip condition isn't too bad (I did
have some surgery), and I know I can play hockey and lift weights
well beyond what the other pilots there were doing.

I don't think you need to worry about taking a medication that's not on the
FAA's restricted list. But as Dave says, for best results you might
consider becoming an AOPA member and availing yourself of their medical
advisors. They aren't perfect either, but they certainly can offer better
and more specific advice than most of us could.

[...]
Oh - he charged me $20 extra because of "extra paperwork" for the
items I need to follow up on and get sent to them.

Is that also normal?

Never heard of it myself. I've had a variety of "extra paperwork" type
issues over the years, and have never paid any additional fees. That said,
a $20 surcharge seems reasonable, for a doctor who wants to nickel and dime
everyone. Just be glad it's not $50.

Pete

He gave me 2 weeks to submit medical information to him, it appears,
to be included in my application. Maybe he's doing me a favor by
covering the bases that the FAA might wish to have additional
information on. That might actually save me time in the end.

"GEG" wrote in message
...
He gave me 2 weeks to submit medical information to him, it appears,
to be included in my application. Maybe he's doing me a favor by
covering the bases that the FAA might wish to have additional information
on. That might actually save me time in the end.

Yes, that might explain it. I don't really know whether the FAA actually
gives him that much discretion, but yes...if he's willing to perform that
filtering process, it certainly could save you some time, if it avoids
having you wait on an application deferred to Oklahoma City.

Pete

I would say that is exactly what he is doing. If it comes to the FAA with
all the i's dotted and the t's crossed so that they have a form with the
correct entry for every blank on their computer screen it will go right
through without a problem. If they have a blank that doesn't have the
information in the paperwork then the application goes into the "in box" on
someones desk and they write a letter to you asking for the additional
information. Then you get the information and send it to them and they
can't find your application because it isn't filed, it is in someone's inbox
and they went on vacation yesterday.

Seriously, the FAA tries hard, but they can only work with the information
that was sent them. A good AME, if there is ANY possible question, will
help you word the description of the problem to avoid tripping alarms
needlessly and help you make sure that all of the information they will
want if together and in the package when it goes in.

I had a medical condition that required a decision from on high a few years
ago. My AME helped me get all of the medical information and statements
from my doctors together and then routed the application to the right
office. He got it in, through, and cleared with no restrictions on my
medical in three days!

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )

"GEG" wrote in message
...
He gave me 2 weeks to submit medical information to him, it appears,
to be included in my application. Maybe he's doing me a favor by
covering the bases that the FAA might wish to have additional information
on. That might actually save me time in the end.

GEG wrote:

The thing that got me was the Bextra has no FAA restrictions
yet he wants medical records specifically on my use of Bextra.
Plus, I only have 2 weeks to get the info.

While the drug may be approved, they want to make sure what you are
taking it for is approved.

Is this normal?


Not uncommon. Just be sure that the AME wants it for his own
information. Try to avoid a deferral at all costs, suggest a call
to the regional Flight Surgeon if he is waffling. Without the regional
FS assistance I'd have really been in trouble when I had the medical
from the scum of the earth AME.


There were a half-dozen other pilots through there, one older
gentleman who seemed as though he could barely walk and he went
right through (I'd imagine he is a professional pilot
and has been going there a long time.)

Generally once you've got something buy the AME/FAA the first time,
rewewals are just an issue of marking "Previously Reported, No Change"
on that item.

On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 14:38:55 -0500, GEG
wrote:

I'm a student pilot. I went for my first medical today.
There were 3 issues.
issues snipped
Is that also normal?

The 2 week extension for info is out of the norm, but as others
mentioned he may be doing you a favor...

In practice, your 1st medical will be the most difficult. The Dr. has
no history with you and needs to come up to speed on any conditions.

Subsequent visits to the same doctor should be more expedient -
assuming your medical conditions stay the same or get better.

-Nathan