Current SI timeline for third class medical - Anxiety/depression

[flyingvet]

Hello all,

I am taking SSRI pathway 2 for a history of chronic/recurrent depression and anxiety. I have been on fluoxetine on a stable dose.

I met with a HIMS psychiatrist and HIMS neuropsychologist (for a Cognitive screen), everything seemed like it was positive results. This process was several thousand dollars and obviously the time to travel and see the special FAA doctors. My AME finally submitted my file to the FAA.

How long should I expect to wait to hear back from the FAA?

 

[MVM19]

What class of medical, and is this your first medical? IIRC, revenue-generating pilots get priority processing over non-rev.

I went through this process a few years ago for a Class 3 medical (though I was Path 1.) I submitted what I thought was my final package of paperwork to the FAA, and approximately 1 month later, they sent me a note saying they needed 1 more rather minor thing from my AME, and then 2 months after that, I had my Class 3 medical in-hand. I would account for 3-6 months as of now. The FAA may be more backlogged than ever with everything going on currently.

The one issue you may come across is the timing of the medical. I honestly can't recall if this is just for renewals, but an issue I've had in the past is that the medical took so long to get issued that it was due for renewal in less than 3 months. They don't adjust the dates to account for the process (at least not when I was under special issuance), which can be frustrating. YMMV.

 

[flyingvet]

What class of medical, and is this your first medical? IIRC, revenue-generating pilots get priority processing over non-rev.

I went through this process a few years ago for a Class 3 medical (though I was Path 1.) I submitted what I thought was my final package of paperwork to the FAA, and approximately 1 month later, they sent me a note saying they needed 1 more rather minor thing from my AME, and then 2 months after that, I had my Class 3 medical in-hand. I would account for 3-6 months as of now. The FAA may be more backlogged than ever with everything going on currently.

The one issue you may come across is the timing of the medical. I honestly can't recall if this is just for renewals, but an issue I've had in the past is that the medical took so long to get issued that it was due for renewal in less than 3 months. They don't adjust the dates to account for the process (at least not when I was under special issuance), which can be frustrating. YMMV.

I'm applying for a third class. I haven't had a medical for a long time and my file is kind of long, so it might not be as quick as yours. I asked my AME earlier, and he said 9-12 months, which is crazy to me.

 

[MVM19]

I could see that, to be honest. I called one of the advocacy groups back then about processing times at the FAA and they told me "many months for psychiatric cases." Your AME knows best, so I would prepare for the worst (12 months) and hope that they get to it sooner.

 

[Smnjr]

I don’t know if this is helpful as my 3rd class SI is just for an eye issue but my timeline last year was 6 months from exam to SI (which included 1 preliminary request for info and a 2nd request for something additional). My SI was then issued through the end of 2024 with instructions to send an update in approx 60 days before expiration.

I submitted the renewal report from my eye dr (documenting no changes in my vision or treatment plan) in early November. I have been in “final review” for a week shy of 3 months.