Howdy from Denton!!
Slipstream said:
I have a physical with my Doc next month. Can I take his results to an FAA Doc for him to review? Approve??
Having an annual physical done is always a good idea. Better to find a treatable condition early on than to wait. Are you inferring with "Can I take his results..." that you have a condition that would be a red flag to the FAA?
Read the help file for the MedXpress form via by clicking
this link. Pay extra attention to Questions 17 and 18.
Do your research via the AOPA medications database on any items that you're taking to ensure they are not items that are either prohibited or need additional documentation. Neither of these are show stoppers to start training, but you may need Dr. Bruce Chien's guidance to know how to present your information to the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
On Question 18, if you answered yes to any of these items, then additional documentation might be required. Again, no show stoppers, but seek Dr. Bruce's guidance on what is needed and how the Doctor's report should be worded to achieve success.
The big take away here is to educate yourself on what is needed so that when you do walk in to the AME's office,
you know with 100% that you will get your medical certificate in office and not be stuffed into deferral hell, or worse, denied. If you have
any questions about the medical certification process, seek out Dr. Bruce Chien.
I can recommend a good AME near to KADS, Dr. Gabriel Fried (pronounced "freed"). He does a good job and has helped me a few times.
[[edit to add]] I just read your reply about high blood pressure. This is a condition that will require some additional documentation. But this is simple to get. Just consult with Dr. Bruce on what is needed.
Slipstream said:
Ground School: Next spring with a club here in North Texas, and then flight lessons somewhere. Either Addison/Rockwall or maybe the club could provide that?? Will need to look into see what they offer.
I know it seems spread out but I was looking to defray some of the cost over time... Would it be best to go with some company that does the whole thing??
Formal ground school (aka in a classroom) doesn't happen as much as many would like anymore. So many students and pilots have moved to the home study programs that the folks interested in investing 13 weeks and up to 45 hours of their time don't come around often enough.
But there is a good instructor in your area who might do both the ground training and flight training, and do a top job of it. Go find Wayne Fink at the Dallas Air Park (identifier F69,
http://goo.gl/maps/fqnzO). Wayne is a very well seasoned instructor who teaches both primary and instrument flying. He has a Beechcraft Sundowner he rents for $90 wet to non-partners and is looking for 2 or 3 equity partners (meaning the $$/hour could be a bit less). And his instructor rates are reasonable. The net result is you could be into a good instructor/aircraft combo for around $120-130/hr, which in the area you're residing in, is a really good deal.
At KADS, there are two PPL schools I know of (might be another one), Monarch and American Flyers. Both are good, just pricey.
At KADS, one of the areas better flying clubs is based there. RFC Dallas (
www.rfcdallas.com) has some good aircraft and their structure and rates are good.
At KDTO in Denton, Denton Flying Club will be starting up around the holiday times. We are still in progress to getting our first aircraft (a Piper Cherokee) and hope to have that done soon.
www.dentonflyingclub.com
We have some good folks in and around Dallas. If you'd like to meet up with one or some of us in person to ask questions like this, you're more than welcome to set something up and invite us.