W
WxWatcher
Guest
My current job requires a Class 2 Medical. In the interest of keeping options open, I have been getting a Class 1 once a year for the past several years. (Yes, I’m aware it changes to a class 2 after 6months.). Last year, I hit a snag with the EKG (I’m over 40) and was deferred. I managed to get an appt with a Cardiologist before I received the FAA letter saying what tests were required (my AME refused to opine or recommend what they might require). Appointments with Specialists are hard to come by, so I went ahead and got a regular Bruce Protocol stress test. Passed fine. Cardiologist said likely lead misplacement on EKG. A week later I receive FAA letter requiring Nuclear stress test and lipid panel. Eventually get it done, passed fine. Submit package to OKC and wait….. I eventually get a Class 1 from OKC. I was lucky, it only took 2 months. But the ramifications with my job/schedule lasted over 6 months and I lost a significant amount of income. Not to mention the stress of a misdiagnosis, etc.
Side note: A couple months later, during a routine physical I had another EKG that initially showed an anomalous result. The nurse administering it was “1 week/new to that practice” and on a subsequent attempt the results were normal. — Needless to say I am wary of EKGs, their high false positive rates and lead misplacement. I have a great baseline stress test, so I know I’m healthy - but not sure if it’s the EKG, the person administering or me that is the issue.
Fast forward to now. I only need a Class 2 for current job. But I am actively applying elsewhere that requires a Class 1. I’m planning to get a Class 2 and discuss this with my (new) AME.
Does anyone have recommendations on how to “protect” a Class 2 medical while trying to get a Class 1?
My understanding is, an AME cannot change an application from a Class 1 to a Class 2 if during the exam he/she finds an issue that only limits an applicant from a Class 1. Example, I would have passed a Class 2 exam last year, but I had applied for a Class 1. Failing the EKG prevented me from getting the Class 1 And he did not downgrade my application to a Class 2, so I was deferred and grounded.
Could (should) I apply for a Class 1 and, if I don’t pass the EKG, re-apply under a second application for a Class 2? Or does a deferral for one Class of medical cause a deferral for all classes?
Thanks in advance
Side note: A couple months later, during a routine physical I had another EKG that initially showed an anomalous result. The nurse administering it was “1 week/new to that practice” and on a subsequent attempt the results were normal. — Needless to say I am wary of EKGs, their high false positive rates and lead misplacement. I have a great baseline stress test, so I know I’m healthy - but not sure if it’s the EKG, the person administering or me that is the issue.
Fast forward to now. I only need a Class 2 for current job. But I am actively applying elsewhere that requires a Class 1. I’m planning to get a Class 2 and discuss this with my (new) AME.
Does anyone have recommendations on how to “protect” a Class 2 medical while trying to get a Class 1?
My understanding is, an AME cannot change an application from a Class 1 to a Class 2 if during the exam he/she finds an issue that only limits an applicant from a Class 1. Example, I would have passed a Class 2 exam last year, but I had applied for a Class 1. Failing the EKG prevented me from getting the Class 1 And he did not downgrade my application to a Class 2, so I was deferred and grounded.
Could (should) I apply for a Class 1 and, if I don’t pass the EKG, re-apply under a second application for a Class 2? Or does a deferral for one Class of medical cause a deferral for all classes?
Thanks in advance