If deferred for Class 1, can I get a class 2?

[WxWatcher]

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

 

[Clip4]

If you don’t pass the Class 1 you can’t get a Class 2 until you are medically cleared. Why you have been getting Class 1s when you don’t need that level is bit baffling.

 

[flyingron]

If you have an issued class 2, and you get deferred on an issue with a subsequent class 1, it's up to you to determine that you still meet the class 2 criteria, and if so you may fly until it expires or you hear otherwise from the FAA.

If you go in for a class 1 and get deferred, I don't know if there's any way to also have a downgraded application.

 

[bbchien]

If you have an issued class 2, and you get deferred on an issue with a subsequent class 1, it's up to you to determine that you still meet the class 2 criteria, and if so you may fly until it expires or you hear otherwise from the FAA.

If you go in for a class 1 and get deferred, I don't know if there's any way to also have a downgraded application.

Standards for second and First Class medicals are almost universally identical.

 

[WxWatcher]

First and Second Class standards differ when it comes to the EKG. That’s where I had the issue.

 

[WxWatcher]

If you have an issued class 2, and you get deferred on an issue with a subsequent class 1, it's up to you to determine that you still meet the class 2 criteria, and if so you may fly until it expires or you hear otherwise from the FAA.

If you go in for a class 1 and get deferred, I don't know if there's any way to also have a downgraded application.

Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[flyingron]

First and Second Class standards differ when it comes to the EKG. That’s where I had the issue.

But I think Bruce's point is that the standards for cardiac issues are the same between the two, just that the first is more rigorous in looking for them (hence the EKG). Once a problem has been identified in the EKG, you have to clear it for either the first or second class.

 

[Lindberg]

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

Talk to your AME or more than one. Consider going in for a consult or even just van EKG prior to his opening your Medxpress application.

One year I had a thing happen and had trouble collecting all the records. I went to my AME, who does Basic Med just to get that in the interim. After the exam he said that based on the exam and the records I had showed him he could issue a Class II. So if you're flexible, find a flexible AME and find out what you can pass before making it official.

 

[flyingron]

The problem is he already went to the AME and failed the EKG.

 

[Lindberg]

The problem is he already went to the AME and failed the EKG.

A year ago for his last medical, which he was subsequently issued.

 

[Wx Watcher]

But I think Bruce's point is that the standards for cardiac issues are the same between the two, just that the first is more rigorous in looking for them (hence the EKG). Once a problem has been identified in the EKG, you have to clear it for either the first or second class.

Thanks - I missed Dr Chien’s point in his post. Thanks for re-stating it so a nug like me can understand. And thanks for the advice in your later post re: a flexible AME/practice EKG. Much appreciated!