Sun N Fun - Medical Issuance

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UTLonghorn_1979

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UTLonghorn_1979
Anyone have experience going to Sun N Fun or other GA functions where they have FAA medical Drs. that can issue medicals on the spot? I've had several people suggest doing that, but not sure if that includes things like initial SSRI deferrals.

Any thoughts? Otherwise looks like I'm in for decision by this summer.

Thanks!
 
I've never heard of anything like that. The kind of clown AMEs who offer such services (like he guys who send you postcards on your renewal) are generally the most incompetent doctors and not the ones that you want to be handling a difficult certification (believe me, I minorly got burned by that and ended up grounded for several months).
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
Anyone have experience going to Sun N Fun or other GA functions where they have FAA medical Drs. that can issue medicals on the spot? I've had several people suggest doing that, but not sure if that includes things like initial SSRI deferrals.

Any thoughts? Otherwise looks like I'm in for decision by this summer.

Thanks!
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You need to talk to different people for advice.
 
flyingron said:
I've never heard of anything like that. The kind of clown AMEs who offer such services (like he guys who send you postcards on your renewal) are generally the most incompetent doctors and not the ones that you want to be handling a difficult certification (believe me, I minorly got burned by that and ended up grounded for several months).
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These aren't AMEs, these are FAA medical division staff that can pull up your files on record with the FAA, review then and there, and issue medical certificates on site.
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
These aren't AMEs, these are FAA medical division staff that can pull up your files on record with the FAA, review then and there, and issue medical certificates on site.
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My CFI had a student with a bs issue that had been in dealing with the FFA medical people for a couple years over. She was 16 and didn’t have much help from her remaining family nor resources. She talked to the FAA people at Oshkosh last year and got it issued on the spot after talking to them there.

Don’t know how normal or abnormal this is but she has it now.
 
Sierra1 said:
My CFI had a student with a bs issue that had been in dealing with the FFA medical people for a couple years over. She was 16 and didn’t have much help from her remaining family nor resources. She talked to the FAA people at Oshkosh last year and got it issued on the spot after talking to them there.

Don’t know how normal or abnormal this is but she has it now.
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I've heard similar stories. I'm just not sure how complex of cases they get into/approve. Leads me to believe it's worth a shot!

Thanks!
 
Unless your case requires a panel review, if you've submitted, or have the necessary information needed to for the FAA to make a decision, the Docs that work the FAA hangar at SnF and OSH are empowered to issue special issuance letters and certificates.
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
I've heard similar stories. I'm just not sure how complex of cases they get into/approve. Leads me to believe it's worth a shot!

Thanks!
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Hers was a HIMS type case but really shouldn’t have been honestly. Someone saw through the bs and cleared her after talking with her in depth from what I’ve been told. I don’t want to air her laundry but one of those catch 22 kinda deals when it was pretty obvious it was actually not worthy of where someone tried to take it.

In the end she got her medical and can carry on what really is her life’s passion. I’m glad she got it.
 
bbchien said:
This is the ONLY remaining way a 3rd class airman can get his case pushed. I send a LOTTA guys to the FAA tents.

However beware this year: with all the DJT FAA staff travel restrictions, all the events will be downstaffed!!.
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I wondered that
 
bbchien said:
This is the ONLY remaining way a 3rd class airman can get his case pushed. I send a LOTTA guys to the FAA tents.

However beware this year: with all the DJT FAA staff travel restrictions, all the events will be downstaffed!!.
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Thanks for the feedback. I think it's worth a shot. Hell, I've already spent ~ $20K so far, what's another $750 on airfare and hotel! :rollercoaster:
 
Brad Z said:
Unless your case requires a panel review, if you've submitted, or have the necessary information needed to for the FAA to make a decision, the Docs that work the FAA hangar at SnF and OSH are empowered to issue special issuance letters and certificates.
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Would an initial SSRI be something they could issue, if they have everything?
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
Anyone have experience going to Sun N Fun or other GA functions where they have FAA medical Drs. that can issue medicals on the spot? I've had several people suggest doing that, but not sure if that includes things like initial SSRI deferrals.

Any thoughts? Otherwise looks like I'm in for decision by this summer.
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It can't hurt. I did get my medical at Oshkosh several years ago after I got auto-deferred by the system because I upgraded to a first class less than 90 days after getting my second class renewal. Med exam was in May. I called every day from May until I had to start the job. The system showed me as having a medical, so I did what you do when you leave your medical or pilot certificate at home and I was on the faxed document. Time limit on that was pretty much out at Oshkosh and I still didn't have a medical.

So, I went to the FAA building, walked up to Aeromedical, told them what was going on, and she printed and signed my medical on the spot.

It REALLY shouldn't be so dang hard.

UTLonghorn_1979 said:
Thanks for the feedback. I think it's worth a shot. Hell, I've already spent ~ $20K so far, what's another $750 on airfare and hotel! :rollercoaster:
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And at worst, you get to walk around and look at airplanes for a couple of days. :)
 
flyingcheesehead said:
It can't hurt. I did get my medical at Oshkosh several years ago after I got auto-deferred by the system because I upgraded to a first class less than 90 days after getting my second class renewal. Med exam was in May. I called every day from May until I had to start the job. The system showed me as having a medical, so I did what you do when you leave your medical or pilot certificate at home and I was on the faxed document. Time limit on that was pretty much out at Oshkosh and I still didn't have a medical.

So, I went to the FAA building, walked up to Aeromedical, told them what was going on, and she printed and signed my medical on the spot.

It REALLY shouldn't be so dang hard.


And at worst, you get to walk around and look at airplanes for a couple of days. :)
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Amen!
 
Brad Z said:
Unless your case requires a panel review, if you've submitted, or have the necessary information needed to for the FAA to make a decision, the Docs that work the FAA hangar at SnF and OSH are empowered to issue special issuance letters and certificates.
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What cases “require a panel review?” I.e. do you think it’s a waste of time for an initial SSRI deferral applicant to go this route?
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
What cases “require a panel review?” I.e. do you think it’s a waste of time for an initial SSRI deferral applicant to go this route?
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There is a neurology panel, a cardiology panel, maybe others, I'm not completely sure. They are comprised of FAA docs as well as specialists outside of the FAA who meet on a recurring basis to review cases and make determinations. I don't know your situation but you could reach out to your regional federal air surgeon and see if there's anything that is outstanding for them to make a decision. They could probably give you a better idea of whether your application could be reviewed at Lakeland and issued than any of us here could say.
 
Brad Z said:
There is a neurology panel, a cardiology panel, maybe others, I'm not completely sure. They are comprised of FAA docs as well as specialists outside of the FAA who meet on a recurring basis to review cases and make determinations. I don't know your situation but you could reach out to your regional federal air surgeon and see if there's anything that is outstanding for them to make a decision. They could probably give you a better idea of whether your application could be reviewed at Lakeland and issued than any of us here could say.
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Thanks! Ill do that!
 
Interesting! Let's say I am currently in the process of getting a SI for a third class medical for SSRI use. I have done the Cog screen, all the HIMS psychological/psychiatric evaluations and the results/packet have been sent to the FAA pending review.

Can I show up at one of these tents at Sun N Fun to expedite my process and they could issue a special issuance there?
 
That will only work if one of the psych qualfied examiners is there. And with the new DJT travel restrictions on the agency, I don't know if one of them will be there....actually, NEITHER DO THEY. Brad just tired to tell you guys that.
 
bbchien said:
That will only work if one of the psych qualfied examiners is there. And with the new DJT travel restrictions on the agency, I don't know if one of them will be there....actually, NEITHER DO THEY. Brad just tired to tell you guys that.
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Thank you for the reply. It's worth a try if I will be attending already! I've never attended Sun N Fun, any tips on finding these FAA tents?
 
bbchien said:
That will only work if one of the psych qualfied examiners is there. And with the new DJT travel restrictions on the agency, I don't know if one of them will be there....actually, NEITHER DO THEY. Brad just tired to tell you guys that.
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We were given the green light this past week so I do expect docs to be there. I think it's important for folks to understand that their purpose at the shows is not to spend the day doing casework in the same manner they do back in OKC, but to provide outreach and pilot assistance. While in some cases, they are able to issue certificates, I think it is beyond reasonable expectation go to LAL or OSH with the expressed expectation of walking away with a medical. That said, you may walk away with at least a better understanding of what they need to make a decision in your unique circumstances.
 
flyingvet said:
Thank you for the reply. It's worth a try if I will be attending already! I've never attended Sun N Fun, any tips on finding these FAA tents?
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They're in the FAA Safety Center hangar. If you look on the Sun n Fun 2025 map, it's square C-2. Get there early in the week, I expect they will be busy.
 
Brad Z said:
There is a neurology panel, a cardiology panel, maybe others, I'm not completely sure. They are comprised of FAA docs as well as specialists outside of the FAA who meet on a recurring basis to review cases and make determinations. I don't know your situation but you could reach out to your regional federal air surgeon and see if there's anything that is outstanding for them to make a decision. They could probably give you a better idea of whether your application could be reviewed at Lakeland and issued than any of us here could say.
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I reached out to the my regional FAS, they couldn’t offer any help other than HQ/DC has everything needed and it’s “in review.”

I’m going to roll the dice and go to SNF.

Thanks all!
 
UT, just to temper your expectations:

It is very unusual for DC to have a person there. And if your file has gone to DC (psych and Drug/alcohol) no OKC level medical oficer is going to speak for them. If the National deputy RFS Gen. Brett Wyrick is there, he might be able to help. "MIGHT". The reason these take so long is that they have to reach a consensus.
 
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bbchien said:
UT, just to temper your expectations:

It is very unusual for DC to have a person there. And if your file has gone to DC (psych and Drug/alcohol) no OKC leve l medical oficer is going to speak for them. If the National deputy RFS Gen. Brett Wyrick is there, he might be able to help. "MIGHT". The reason these take so long is that they have to reach a consensus.
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I appreciate the feedback!
 
bbchien said:
UT, just to temper your expectations:

It is very unusual for DC to have a person there. And if your file has gone to DC (psych and Drug/alcohol) no OKC level medical oficer is going to speak for them. If the National deputy RFS Gen. Brett Wyrick is there, he might be able to help. "MIGHT". The reason these take so long is that they have to reach a consensus.
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Dr Chien - there have been 2-3 recent SI’s that have been issued within a week of a congressional inquiry on various threads here. Is that just coincidence, or is something else going on, pushing FAS to move faster?
 
I’m going Friday morning. Would love to hear if anyone has checked yet.
 
Per the updated schedule, Dr. Wyrick’s presentation on Wednesday was canceled due to funding along with “Meet the Administrator” on Thursday. Will they still be in attendance is unknown.
 
SidArlington said:
Per the updated schedule, Dr. Wyrick’s presentation on Wednesday was canceled due to funding along with “Meet the Administrator” on Thursday. Will they still be in attendance is unknown.
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Dang, that sucks. I’m still waiting to hear from AOPA.
 
That's amazing to hear! I plan on getting there tomorrow. When do the doors open? I have my ticket just trying to get there as early as possible.
 
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