What limitations/requirements does the FAA impose on an SI (Special Issuance)?

I

I_Wanna_Fly

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I'm starting the process of getting a Class 3 Medical (which I expect to be deferred due to past Depression/Anxiety/SSRI). I've already had consults with a Senior AME and HIMS Psychiatrist before starting, but at the time I wasn't aware of SI's and they didn't mention it. I expected the process would just be exam, deferral, a long wait, snail mail notice, then fists full of cash while jumping through hoops and you end up with a regular certificate like everyone else... but I've come across posts where people mention receiving an SI and recurrent therapist appointments.

So I was curious, what sort of limitations/requirements does an SI impose?
(for Depression/Anxiety/SSRI, in general, I expect it can vary depending on situation and whoever reviews the paperwork though)
  • A shorter medical certificate validity period?
  • Required periodic therapist appointments?
  • Anything else?
  • Do you have to go through the deferral/SI process again at each renewal?
If anything like these applies, does it ever end or is it the forever future of being able to fly with an SI?
 
Special Issuances have all kinds of different conditions, but one common feature is that your medical certificate is not valid unless the SI is renewed in the time frame specified, and renewal is based on thorough documentation of meeting the conditions of its issuance. I think it's fair to say that with the diagnoses you mentioned and the prior use of SSRIs the SI issuance/renewal will go on for years, and it's typically done on a case-by-case basis, so much more would need to be known in your individual case, and that information is best discussed with someone who does that work regularly. Several of those docs participate here.
 
OP, as dbahn says it's likely that you're facing years of required oversight and SI renewals to maintain a 3rd class, but you might want to look at Basic Med an alternative for the long term. You will have to get the 3rd class and SI one time, but once the medical certificate expires you could fly under Basic Med rather than renewing the 3rd class. If Basic Med meets your needs, it would be much simpler to maintain.

More info here: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med
 
Half Fast said:
OP, as dbahn says it's likely that you're facing years of required oversight and SI renewals to maintain a 3rd class, but you might want to look at Basic Med an alternative for the long term. You will have to get the 3rd class and SI one time, but once the medical certificate expires you could fly under Basic Med rather than renewing the 3rd class. If Basic Med meets your needs, it would be much simpler to maintain.

More info here: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med
Click to expand...

Absolutely, but the other thing to keep in mind is that IF you manage to qualify for the SI, all you really need to do to renew the SI is prove that you continue to meet those conditions. Sometimes that's easy - just documentation that's already there. Sometimes it ridiculous - very expensive measures to get that documentation.

Some of the considerations include your long terms goals. What do you plan to do with your pilot certificate?
 
I've had several SIs, most of which were easy to maintain, but the last one for malignant melanoma required me to pay for a useless (i.e. NO medical indication for it) head and neck MRI every year.

I'm on Basic Med now.
 
dbahn said:
I've had several SIs, most of which were easy to maintain, but the last one for malignant melanoma required me to pay for a useless (i.e. NO medical indication for it) head and neck MRI every year.

I'm on Basic Med now.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:


My SI for an autoimmune condition required annual submittal of test results that my gastro specialist said were 100% unneccessary. Unless you want to fly a jet in the flight levels or fly into Canada, there's no good reason to roll the FAA medical dice once (or more) a year. Basic Med from now on.
 
Thanks for the extra insights into SIs, it clears up my understanding of how it relates to the medical certificate and the upkeep.

I'd looked into BasicMed previously, but obviously need to get a medical certificate first no matter what. Depending on the upkeep needed (and the costs), I may drop to BasicMed in the future.

The HIMS AME I'd talked to said there shouldn't be an issue getting the SI based on my situation, so it's time to place the bets, roll the dice and see what happens.
 
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