Sport license while waiting for a class 3

Discussion in 'Medical Topics' started by blueben, May 6, 2022.

  1. blueben

    blueben Filing Flight Plan

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2022
    Messages:
    4

    Display name:
    blueben
    I'm currently taking an SSRI which I plan to ramp down over the next couple of months. Based on some consultations with people more knowledgable than me I believe I will be able to pass a third class medical 60 days after the cessation of treatment (no prior incidents, <1yr of treatment, no tandem medication, etc.). Because of my optimism I have been pursuing a PPL (25 hours in!) but I expect I'll be able to solo sooner than I'll be able to get my third class medical. I think the medical will take ~6 months while I should be ready to solo in 1-2.

    I am wondering now if it would be worthwhile to get a sport license in the interim and complete some solo hours based on that in an LSA while I wait to get my third class medical. That way I could be ready to get my PPL almost immediately after I get my medical and I could be having fun up in the air in the meantime. I assume it would be pretty easy to get the endorsement to fly in towered airspace given that's what I've been doing for my PPL. I guess this plan would depend on the availability of rental LSAs around me, but other than that are there significant blockers I haven't considered? Has anybody done this before?

    The alternative would be getting all the other reqs out of the way (simulated IFR, nighttime, honing skills) and then just doing once-a-weeks with my instructor to wait out the clock. This wouldn't be a terrible option, but it would be nice to go up by myself instead.
     
  2. idahoflier

    idahoflier Cleared for Takeoff

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2017
    Messages:
    1,459

    Display name:
    idahoflier
    I definitely could be wrong, but I think you would be unable to fly LSA while you wait for a SI...
     
  3. blueben

    blueben Filing Flight Plan

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2022
    Messages:
    4

    Display name:
    blueben
    I believe that I wouldn't need a special issuance based on the SSRI Decision path 1 flowchart on the FAA website. There it states that you can apply for a regular issuance after you've been off the treatment for more than 60 days with a favorable report from your doctor. The goal is to get a regular third class after cessation of treatment.
     
  4. idahoflier

    idahoflier Cleared for Takeoff

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2017
    Messages:
    1,459

    Display name:
    idahoflier
    If that's the case then I think your plan sounds great! I would schedule a consultation with the AME you intend yo use to make sure (s)he will issue a third class if you're otherwise medically qualified. I have heard more than one story where an AME deferred when they didn't need to...
     
  5. Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe

    Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe Touchdown! Greaser! PoA Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2008
    Messages:
    15,091
    Location:
    DXO124009

    Display name:
    Light and Sporty Guy
    I assume you have not yet applied for a medical?

    To use sport pilot route as an interim, if you apply for a medical you have to "Have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application"
     
  6. blueben

    blueben Filing Flight Plan

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2022
    Messages:
    4

    Display name:
    blueben
    Ya I don't plan on applying until I have all my ducks in a row and am pretty confident I would get a regular issuance. I expect that to be true in about 5-7 months.
     
  7. exncsurfer

    exncsurfer Pattern Altitude

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2014
    Messages:
    2,140
    Location:
    NC

    Display name:
    exncsurfer
    The only downside to this plan would be if you are sure you'll get the 3rd class, apply for it, and get denied, then your sport pilot privs are, poof, gone.

    Another alternative would be to train dual only until you're ready to pull the trigger on the medical.
     
  8. bbchien

    bbchien Touchdown! Greaser!

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,203
    Location:
    Bolingbrook, IL

    Display name:
    Bruce C
    Decison path 1 only works if there was
    (1) no suicidality
    (2) No prior episode in your life that required psychiatry support
    (3) Best if only one psych med at at time
    (4) duration of the episode is << 5 years (longer is "reasonably thought to be recurrent".

    And no, if you've had any SSRI within the year, it's a special issuance.
     
  9. Anon

    Anon Guest

    Confused because FAA website for SSRI Decision Path 1 states "After 60 days off SSRI with favorable report from treating physician of stable mood, Airman/FAA ATCS may apply for regular issuance"
     
  10. bbchien

    bbchien Touchdown! Greaser!

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,203
    Location:
    Bolingbrook, IL

    Display name:
    Bruce C
    and he will, if successful, get a special issuance. 100% of the time. It says after all: "may apply for" but doesn't say "will recieve....".

    That's like, "no mandatory wait for consideration class 3 for CAD stenting". That results in Medical denial based on "90 days is needed to be sure the stent isn't experincing fibro-hyperplastic closure, which was the original cause of the 90 days stipulation in the first place.

    ...And, I just love it when attorneys quote that to me. I reply, "call me after the denial".
     
  11. blueben

    blueben Filing Flight Plan

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2022
    Messages:
    4

    Display name:
    blueben
    In that case should I expect a denial or a deferral when I apply for the regular issuance (and then need to reapply for an SI)? I'm asking because my understanding is that I could continue to fly on the sport license if I received a deferral, but not if I received a denial. Or are those two things equivalent with regards to the sport license?
     
  12. Dana

    Dana En-Route

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2016
    Messages:
    3,514
    Location:
    CT & NY

    Display name:
    Dana
    As Geoffery said, you must "have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application". If you're deferred, you weren't found eligible "at the time of" your application.
     
  13. Half Fast

    Half Fast Touchdown! Greaser!

    Joined:
    May 7, 2016
    Messages:
    11,529
    Location:
    Central Florida

    Display name:
    Half Fast

    If he’s deferred, the application is till in process and there isn’t any finding yet. “At the time” could be several months.
     
  14. Palmpilot

    Palmpilot Touchdown! Greaser!

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2007
    Messages:
    21,528
    Location:
    PUDBY

    Display name:
    Richard Palm
    And the wording of the reg indicates that when there has been an application, there has to have been a finding in order for the person to exercise sport-pilot privileges. So the absence of a negative finding is not by itself sufficient.