After 2 years and seven months of trying to get my third class medical ticket I am at the point of giving up.
Four or five years ago I had my Mitro valve in my heart repaired not replace repaired. The FAA medical standards say this is not a problem and is acceptable, but what they don't say about this is that they will require a bunch of test most of which are not covered by insurance so they have all been out of my pocket.
Now here is the problem, I submitted all the test results they requested. I fully anticipated they would issue my medical certificate. After waiting eight months I got a response from them. They wanted another series of test. Submitted the information requested and again I waited for 6 more months before I got a response. They again had a hole list of test they wanted information on, they only gave me thirty days to respond, most of us know to get an appointment with our doctor takes more than unless its and emergency.
I again submitted all the information requested and waited, several months later for a response. This time they were again wanting a series of new test as well as repeating several test that I had already given them the information. I now would have to submit the test results of a sleep study.
The FAA now list sleep apnea as a critical safety issue, even though the FAA files do not show one mishap or crash that could be linked directly to this issue.
Then they said that as of the first of March this year everyone will now need to complete a sleep study to determine if you have a sleep disorder of any kind and I mean any kind. If one is detected you will be automatically denied a medical ticket. I questioned them on this and they said the FAA now considers anyone with some kind of sleep issue to be a sever risk to safety. They consider this a critical issue.
So I am now up against a brick wall, with no way around it. I like a lot of us have a lot of time and money invested in our hobby and for most of us it is a passion to fly.
I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions as to a way around this.
PS. be advised that as of the March first any submitting a application for a third class medical ticket or try to up grade their license will be required to complete a sleep study.
Thanks for your time and consideration it is appreciated.
Van
Four or five years ago I had my Mitro valve in my heart repaired not replace repaired. The FAA medical standards say this is not a problem and is acceptable, but what they don't say about this is that they will require a bunch of test most of which are not covered by insurance so they have all been out of my pocket.
Now here is the problem, I submitted all the test results they requested. I fully anticipated they would issue my medical certificate. After waiting eight months I got a response from them. They wanted another series of test. Submitted the information requested and again I waited for 6 more months before I got a response. They again had a hole list of test they wanted information on, they only gave me thirty days to respond, most of us know to get an appointment with our doctor takes more than unless its and emergency.
I again submitted all the information requested and waited, several months later for a response. This time they were again wanting a series of new test as well as repeating several test that I had already given them the information. I now would have to submit the test results of a sleep study.
The FAA now list sleep apnea as a critical safety issue, even though the FAA files do not show one mishap or crash that could be linked directly to this issue.
Then they said that as of the first of March this year everyone will now need to complete a sleep study to determine if you have a sleep disorder of any kind and I mean any kind. If one is detected you will be automatically denied a medical ticket. I questioned them on this and they said the FAA now considers anyone with some kind of sleep issue to be a sever risk to safety. They consider this a critical issue.
So I am now up against a brick wall, with no way around it. I like a lot of us have a lot of time and money invested in our hobby and for most of us it is a passion to fly.
I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions as to a way around this.
PS. be advised that as of the March first any submitting a application for a third class medical ticket or try to up grade their license will be required to complete a sleep study.
Thanks for your time and consideration it is appreciated.
Van