Third class after vertigo

Russ Parrish

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I started flying in college and had a 3rd class issued in 2008. I soloed and made it to ~30hrs but then graduated, moved, job/family etc... and took a long break. I'm looking to get started again but had some questions about a new medical. In 2012 I woke up dizzy one morning, I didn't have a primary at the time so had to visit the walk-in and they just told me to head to the ER. I spent a few hours in the hospital, they called it vertigo and everything was gone after a couple days. Haven't experienced anything like it in the ~10 years since. My question is what should I expect from an AME for a new third class? Do I need to try to get copies of the hospital records or is this long enough ago to be a non-issue?

Also, is it possible to fly as a student under BasicMed? It sounds like it may be an option since I've already had a medical but not sure it can still double as a student certificate or if it would even save any paperwork in this case.

Thanks,
Russ
 
BasicMed sounds like an option. Read the current form and see if any of the questions would force you to answer with your ER visit; perhaps it won't need to be mentioned.
 
Do report back what happens. In December last year I awoke to the room spinning. It lasted about 15 seconds. This was the first and only occurrence of such an episode. My blood pressure was through the roof that day (150/100 if I remember). I didn't immediately seek medical attention b/c it subsided so quickly and it was a holiday weekend. When I returned home, my PCP put me on BP meds and made a significant adjustment to my thyroid meds. My 3rd class expires in November. I planned to go the BasicMed route anyway but am interested in how this plays out for you.
 
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I had this and after a 60 day follow up, got it characterized on paper as "Benign Positional Vertigo" resulting from congestion or relating to seasonal allergy.

There's a couple of simple tests they can do to see if you meet the criteria. Then, discuss with your AME the best way to fill out the MedExpress form before you go.
 
…Also, is it possible to fly as a student under BasicMed? …
Russ
Yes.

Q17: Do student pilots need to hold a medical certificate when they go for their private pilot checkride?
A: Individuals who are new to aviation will need to get one medical certificate if they want to fly under BasicMed. After that, they can fly under BasicMed forever, as long as they fly a BasicMed-compliant aircraft and never fly for compensation or hire. Most student pilots will still hold their first medical certificate when they apply for their private pilot certificate.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med/media/basicmed_faq.pdf

You’re not a “most student pilots” guy, you’re an exception. See here:

Q9: Do I have to always “hold or have held a medical certificate” in the past 10 years?
A: No. There is no 10-year requirement, or a 10-year “look-back”. You only need to have held a medical certificate at any point after July 14, 2006. If you meet that provision, then you never have to hold a medical certificate again to operate under BasicMed, unless you develop one of the conditions identified in 14 CFR 68.9 that require you to get a special issuance (i.e., psychosis, epilepsy, heart replacement, etc.).
 
I experienced vertigo about 2 days on and off. Couldn't walk hardly, puked in the lobby of the hospital, had CT scans, etc.
Nothing was found. Diagnosis: BPV. Ugh, he really had no idea... and I just knew that was going to hurt the 3rd class.
After 2 days, I had no more symptoms. Set up an appt. with ENT.. went through all the necessary tests.
Diagnosis: Virus in ear, and he said would likely never happen again.
Took paperwork to next AME appt. No problem.
2 years later, I went basicmed.

I don't know if anyone can stop the doctors from 'guessing' at your diagnosis in the hospital, but if you can, do it. Ask them to put 'undetermined' if they can. Then see a specialist about it.

I'd consider making an ENT appt. for evaluation. If you haven't had any symptoms/episodes for a decade, then he can likely clear you.

Also if you want to read a ton about this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=site:pilotsofamerica.com+vertigo&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS952US952&oq=site:pilotsofamerica.com++vertigo&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.10520j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
 
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I wouldn't call it a good thing. The FAA doesn't want anyone to be flying a plane with BPV (BPPV) and have an episode of vertigo. I know I couldn't have safely flown one. I was actually a little nervous flying alone for a few months, even after the ENT said it probably would never happen again. The main reason I say that, is because it just came out of nowhere. Sitting at my desk and bam...dizzy as hell.
Both can be triggered.
For more info just google BPPV vs. Meniere's
 
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All you need is a doc’s statement that you have not another episode since 2012. I don’t even think you need the audio gram (‘cause I’d do it in the office......).
 
...The FAA doesn't want anyone to be flying a plane with BPV (BPPV) and have an episode of vertigo...
So this will make my upcoming BasicMed application interesting. In my case, since thyroid med changes take many weeks to settle in, I saw an ENT to make sure nothing more serious was afoot. Based on a verbal interview, he diagnosed me with BPPV. A subsequent doctor specifically tested me for BPPV and the results were negative. I'm thinking my BasicMed application is going to be a bumpy road.
 
So this will make my upcoming BasicMed application interesting. In my case, since thyroid med changes take many weeks to settle in, I saw an ENT to make sure nothing more serious was afoot. Based on a verbal interview, he diagnosed me with BPPV. A subsequent doctor specifically tested me for BPPV and the results were negative. I'm thinking my BasicMed application is going to be a bumpy road.


Shouldn't be bumpy at all if you get that doctor to do your Basic Med exam! :)

In any case, don't worry; there's no such thing as "failing" a Basic Med exam or getting a denial, and none of the exam results or other records go to the FAA for their concurrence. If a physician isn't willing to sign the form for you, he should be willing to tell you what you need to do to correct the situation so that he can sign.

If he won't do that, just find another doc.
 
My wife had a transient BPPV episode. After scraping together her records from the primary care, it was a non event with the AME.
 
...Read the current form and see if any of the questions would force you to answer with your ER visit; perhaps it won't need to be mentioned.
The problem there is that the medical history section asks about conditions that you have had "any time in your life," so at minimum you would need to mention it when you get to the line that asks about "any other illness or condition" (or words to that effect).
 
So this will make my upcoming BasicMed application interesting. In my case, since thyroid med changes take many weeks to settle in, I saw an ENT to make sure nothing more serious was afoot. Based on a verbal interview, he diagnosed me with BPPV. A subsequent doctor specifically tested me for BPPV and the results were negative. I'm thinking my BasicMed application is going to be a bumpy road.

BasicMed is indeed much easier to deal with.
However, everyone needs to be honest, for both legality and safety. I'm not implying you wouldn't be, just that your post 'sort of' indicates you might be having some dizziness/vertigo.... hopefully that was in the past and behind you now. I know I wouldn't want to be driving fast, much less flying during an episode. Can't even fathom single pilot IMC :crazy:
 
...'sort of' indicates you might be having some dizziness/vertigo...
Not at all. Sorry for possibly indicating otherwise. The fact I'm not concealing my identity should indicate I'm not hiding anything. I read 100x more than I post here. I've read about pilots getting caught up in a potentially overly protective, risk-averse bureaucracy. I was worried I might get caught up in the same.
 
I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Confirmed. I just had my basic med exam. Interestingly, outside of no urine test, I thought the exam more involved/thorough than my last 3rd class.
 
Confirmed. I just had my basic med exam. Interestingly, outside of no urine test, I thought the exam more involved/thorough than my last 3rd class.
No urine test for me either, but we did get extensive bloodwork including lipid panels, etc...

By the time you start spilling ketones into urine, your diabetes is pretty badly out of control.
 
Back in February, I had a sudden case of vertigo and eventually landed in the ER. After MRI head scans (nothing was found, even a brain :D), I was diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). MRI did find I'm suffering from Empty Sella syndrome (basically, flattening of the pituitary gland). Neurologist at the hospital said the Empty Sella isn't anything to worry about unless I start having vision issues (beyond already having near- and far-sightedness issues). ENT confirmed BPPV and Ophthalmologist said my vision wasn't being affected by Empty Sella.

The silver lining in this episode is while going to PT for my vertigo, it was discovered I'm also suffering from moderate-to-severe cervical vertebrae degenerative issue (C2/C3) so that was caught. Otherwise, I wouldn't known until it was a major problem.

And I'm flying under BasicMed - my PCP had no issue signing-off on the paperwork. I just need to really adhere to the IMSAFE practice, and even be careful with head movements when flying.

In the past, I've been certified under all three classes of FAA medicals - at this stage of life, as much as I want to get a Third Class (to get myself above 18,000 when crossing the Continental Divide), I think it's not the best decision. I don't think the desire to fly above 18,000' is worth dealing with the Aeromedical division in OKC trying to get an SI for any medical issue I have been diagnosed.
 
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