U
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I had the pleasure of being diagnosed with a melanoma (on my thigh) in January. I’m a student pilot and am about half way or so toward getting my certificate.
The initial pathology showed the melanoma was unulcerated and had a depth of 1.1mm. I had surgery for a wide area excision and sentinel node biopsy. The pathology on the missing chunk of my leg and lymph nodes was clear. Good news for me, but bad news for my flying I think.
I understand that the melanoma diagnosis means I’m immediately grounded as PIC (but I may receive dual instruction).
The FAA website seems to say that I can get my medical back by receiving a Special Issuance from the AMCD or RFS. The FAA website directs the AME to defer and “submit all pertinent medical records, operative/pathology reports, and current oncological status report, and current MRI of the brain” to the AMCD or RFS.
Other unofficial websites say that, after the Special Issuance, I will have to get a new MRI and go to the AME every year for 5 years.
The bummer about this is that I don’t think the MRI is medically necessary, which means I will be paying out of pocket for the MRI rather than through insurance. I will ask my oncologist if she will order the MRI, but I am not hopeful. Although I haven’t called around yet, a radiologist friend tells me that an MRI of the brain runs about $1,500.
Lots of questions:
- How do I go about getting the Special Issuance? Do I just gather up the relevant documentation, make an appointment with my AME, fill out a FAA Form 8500-8, and bring my documents along to the appointment?
- Do the medical reports need to be specifically addressed to the FAA, or can it just be a generic report?
- For the MRI, do I just need to provide the FAA with the film or the report? Or both?
- Should I ask the AME to submit to the AMCD or RFS? Does it matter?
- Will I really have to jump through these (expensive) hoops every year for 5 years?
- At this point, I still have the option of forgetting the medical and going the no medical/light sport route, right?
- If I initially get the Special Issuance, but later let it lapse by not getting the annual MRIs, can I still use the no medical/light sport option?
Any input/advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The initial pathology showed the melanoma was unulcerated and had a depth of 1.1mm. I had surgery for a wide area excision and sentinel node biopsy. The pathology on the missing chunk of my leg and lymph nodes was clear. Good news for me, but bad news for my flying I think.
I understand that the melanoma diagnosis means I’m immediately grounded as PIC (but I may receive dual instruction).
The FAA website seems to say that I can get my medical back by receiving a Special Issuance from the AMCD or RFS. The FAA website directs the AME to defer and “submit all pertinent medical records, operative/pathology reports, and current oncological status report, and current MRI of the brain” to the AMCD or RFS.
Other unofficial websites say that, after the Special Issuance, I will have to get a new MRI and go to the AME every year for 5 years.
The bummer about this is that I don’t think the MRI is medically necessary, which means I will be paying out of pocket for the MRI rather than through insurance. I will ask my oncologist if she will order the MRI, but I am not hopeful. Although I haven’t called around yet, a radiologist friend tells me that an MRI of the brain runs about $1,500.
Lots of questions:
- How do I go about getting the Special Issuance? Do I just gather up the relevant documentation, make an appointment with my AME, fill out a FAA Form 8500-8, and bring my documents along to the appointment?
- Do the medical reports need to be specifically addressed to the FAA, or can it just be a generic report?
- For the MRI, do I just need to provide the FAA with the film or the report? Or both?
- Should I ask the AME to submit to the AMCD or RFS? Does it matter?
- Will I really have to jump through these (expensive) hoops every year for 5 years?
- At this point, I still have the option of forgetting the medical and going the no medical/light sport route, right?
- If I initially get the Special Issuance, but later let it lapse by not getting the annual MRIs, can I still use the no medical/light sport option?
Any input/advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.