Basic Med after 3rd-Class Special Issuance

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mfgdv

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mfgdv
Hello,

I entered into the HIMS program in Dec 2024. It has now been one year, and I've recently met with my HIMS AME for a reevaluation after attending weekly NA meetings, therapy sessions, and random drug tests. I've been evaluated by a HIMS Psych and Neuropsych. Everything the FAA has asked of me, I have done. My HIMS AME stated that he will be sending a letter to the FAA regarding me getting a special issuance, although it might take a couple months to hear back from them considering it's the holiday/new year.

He stated that until we hear back from them, I should continue doing everything I'm doing at the same frequency, including the therapy sessions, NA meetings, and random drug tests. He also explained to me how the HIMS stepdown program works, with the upcoming 1st-year in the stepdown program likely being the exact same as I've been doing for this current year. I was hoping that the frequency of therapy sessions would at least decrease, as there is literally no benefit to attending these therapy sessions. My therapist and myself essentially go through the same script every meeting and end the call early.

I'm aware of the Basic Med option and would like to understand how this fits into my potential paths forward. I inquired about the possibility of getting Basic Med with my HIMS AME, however, he seemed unsure if that is allowed for people who are actively enrolled in the HIMS program, even if they've been given a special issuance already. This entire program has been an enormous drain on my time and, while I don't necessarily want to give up the option of having a 3rd-1st class medical certificate in the future, I just want to clearly understand my options so I can plan accordingly for the future.

My question is, assuming I get the special issuance, is there a particular process which I need to do to drop down to basic med considering that I'm still in the HIMS program, or does the HIMS program forbid me from doing so? Also, if I do drop down to basic med before I completley finish the HIMS stepdown program, would that require me to completely restart the HIMS program again, assuming I wanted to pursure a 3rd-1st class certificate again in the future?

Thanks for any help/insights you can offer
 
You have to stay in the HIMS program and comply with all its requirements until the special issuance medical expires, at which point you can go basicmed and terminate the HIMS. If at a later date you want to get a class 3 or higher, you will likely have to restart HIMS.
 
Dana said:
You have to stay in the HIMS program and comply with all its requirements until the special issuance medical expires, at which point you can go basicmed and terminate the HIMS. If at a later date you want to get a class 3 or higher, you will likely have to restart HIMS.
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...and jump through all the exact hoops you are currently going through while only being able to fly with a CFI; you will have your application deferred, then denied and offered the HIMS pathway (not a guarantee, but likely) and back in the loop. Yes, you can go BM after completing one term of a special issuance medical even though the authorization for the SI is still active. You must comply with all requirements during that period. You can obtain your BM requirements during your SI period and not reapply once that SI period expires, just continue flying under BM. If you truly have an addiction and are only 'treating it' because of the FAA requirements, good luck. Once those requirements are not held over your head, the demon will likely rear its ugly head. I've seen how this movie ends too many times with other sanctioning bodies and it is a very sad ending.
 
Why isn’t your AME putting in an APPLICATION given that you have fulfilled the requirements, rather than a letter? It’s go time, unless there’s something negative you’re not saying.
I’d find better therapy. It’s out there.
 
Aviating again said:
Why isn’t your AME putting in an APPLICATION given that you have fulfilled the requirements, rather than a letter? It’s go time, unless there’s something negative you’re not saying.
I’d find better therapy. It’s out there.
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I presume, based on the OP’s comments, that an application was denied with an option for the HIMS path, in which he is pursuing. It appears he has fulfilled the requirements and time frame when the AME can recommend approval.
 
mfdgv- have you been issued yet? Maybe I'm missing it but I can't tell from your post.
But once you win the SI, if you want to go to basic you simply fulfill all the requirments until the very last day of expiration of the certificate, (testing, AA, aftercare etc if alcohol/weed, psychiatry visits and CBT visits etc. if for psych.) and don't appear for a new issuance. Make sure your sponsoing AME gets these on a monthly basis so there is no cause for him to "call you in for noncompliance". REMEMBER, that as long as you have a HIMS-sponsored issuance, you are basically flying on that AME's ticket.

The certificate will then have EXPIRED at the "Not valid date" on the certificate, not have been revoked nor denied and then you can operate on Basic.

NB however if you want to return to having a medical, you will start from nearly, scratch again.
 
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robin ardoin said:
I presume, based on the OP’s comments, that an application was denied with an option for the HIMS path, in which he is pursuing. It appears he has fulfilled the requirements and time frame when the AME can recommend approval.
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Yes, I was originally denied. I am not a drug addict; I had a weed license almost 5 years ago, for which the psych diagnosed me with dependence. I willingly relinquished it to the state I live in after graduating from university and getting a big boy job. While in the HIMS program, they coerced me into agreeing to never do any drugs or alcohol ever again, and absolutely, agreeing not to do any drugs again seems reasonable and I have no intention or desire to do any drugs. But I am planning on suing the FAA after I get my medical because the restriction on drinking alcohol is arbitrary and capricious, and no jury would agree that they are being reasonable in restricting me from drinking a glass of champagne at my own wedding for having a weed license 6 years ago with no DUI and no drug arrests.
 
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