Whiteshadow Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Hey everyone! I had to appeal my Class ll certificate due to a medication that I used to be on for headaches. I first had to wait 90 days from the time I stopped using it, then had to get evidence from my doc stating that I know longer need or have this rx. Now, initially, my denial came very quickly. Somewhere around 2 weeks after submitting for the certificate. I sent in my appeal with all of the evidence on May 14th, and still have not heard anything yet. My thoughts are that if it was not sufficient evidence, another denial would have been here by now. So, I guess I am feeling optimistic that the certificate should be on it's way. What do you all think? Just want to know if anyone else has some insight, especially those who have gone through the appeal process. Thanks everyone! Fly safe! Quote
helonorth Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Have you joined AOPA yet? I would do that ASAP so you can get some real information and maybe some help speeding up the process. They've done it thousands of times. 1 Quote
Whiteshadow Posted June 27, 2011 Author Posted June 27, 2011 helonorth, thanks for the tip. Does it matter that I am not a pilot yet? I start school this August. Quote
ADRidge Posted June 27, 2011 Posted June 27, 2011 Find the number for the OKC aeromed branch. If you call them two or three times asking about your status, it should bump you up in priority. At least, that's what I've heard on the AOPA forum. Good luck! 1 Quote
blackcard Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 I am in the same exact boat as you. I was in an accident in November and had to wait 6 months from my injury to apply for a new medical. I submitted my paper work in May and have still not heard anything. I continue to call every week, but get the same answer every time, "We have a record number of applicants this year" Hmmm... Quote
swisster Posted June 28, 2011 Posted June 28, 2011 Find your local FAA office, they are divided by regions and contact the Regional Flight Surgeon.I was in a similar situation where do to a medication I flunked my medical. After a year back and forth with Oklahoma, in a last ditch effort I talked with the Deputy Regional Flight Surgeon, he looked at my file, told me what he needed from my doc and two weeks later I had my Medical Certificate in my hands. If you have detailed questions, feel free to PM me here. Good luck, Swisster 1 Quote
Hang'em High Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 I agree with everyone here. AOPA really helps with aero medical issues. For around $40.00 bucks per year, it's worth their service just for the medical stuff alone. 1 Quote
Tenacious T Posted June 29, 2011 Posted June 29, 2011 Joining AOPA will also get you discounts on all your written exams once you get your medical squared away. Basically pays for itself. 2 Quote
Jffili Posted June 30, 2011 Posted June 30, 2011 I too am in the same boat. I am gathering a very large packet of records from 3 doctors to send to Oklahoma City for a Class III special issuance. Many hoops. Quote
Jffili Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 I too am in the same boat. I am gathering a very large packet of records from 3 doctors to send to Oklahoma City for a Class III special issuance. Many hoops. Well after 2 extensions, I finally received the last package of medical records to send to the FAA. I will send this stuff to Oklahoma City, via FedEx. I was advised to make copies of everything before I send it, so I will do that. I can't wait to see what happens. Quote
RkyMtnHI Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Whiteshadow, There is a Specialist in Boulder that many of our friends have used successfully for such issues. His name is Dr. Robert Sancetta; 303.499.5228 He has always responded promptly and really cares about his patients.. People from all over the US call him for help with 'special issuance' after disqualification. good luck, dp 1 Quote
Jffili Posted July 8, 2011 Posted July 8, 2011 Whiteshadow, There is a Specialist in Boulder that many of our friends have used successfully for such issues. His name is Dr. Robert Sancetta; 303.499.5228 He has always responded promptly and really cares about his patients.. People from all over the US call him for help with 'special issuance' after disqualification. good luck, dp Thanks for the info, DP. I may have to call him, once I hear from the FAA. 1 Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 10, 2011 Author Posted July 10, 2011 Hey, thanks to everyone who responded, I appreciate the time. Thanks to you DP, for that great piece of advice. I will be contacting him tomorrow! Good luck to everyone else going through the motions! Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 15, 2011 Author Posted July 15, 2011 Called OKC today and was told that a letter was sent out at the beginning of the week. I hope a certificate is included! I will let everyone know when I get it just to keep others waiting in the loop of potential timeframes and what-not. Quote
Jffili Posted July 16, 2011 Posted July 16, 2011 Called OKC today and was told that a letter was sent out at the beginning of the week. I hope a certificate is included! I will let everyone know when I get it just to keep others waiting in the loop of potential timeframes and what-not. https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/default.aspx Look yourself up and see if a certificate was issued. 1 Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 17, 2011 Author Posted July 17, 2011 jffill, Thanks a lot for that search tool! I didn't know anything about it. Unfortunately though, it let me know that they did not issue my cert. Very frustrating. At least I know what steps to take starting tomorrow. Thanks again. Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 22, 2011 Author Posted July 22, 2011 OK everyone, got my letter from the OKC office today. I sent them all pertinent info regarding the past use of the med that originally disqualified me. In the "evidence" I sent them, they could see that there were other meds on the list. I believe I opened a huge can of worms by trying to explain to them that "the other meds are not active anymore, and from a prior back injury.........". NOW, they want a bunch of evidence regarding the back issue! Also, I sent them the medical info, but I blacked out all of the info that did not pertain to this issue. In the letter they said they want me to resubmit all of it, but this time they want it "unadulterated". Meaning, they don't want me to black anything out! I am shocked that they are telling me that they want to see any and everything in that report, even though most of it has nothing to do with the initial denial of my certificate! It amost seems that instead of "qualifying" people to train, they are trying their best to DISQUALIFY people! Keep in mind that this all from when I was in the Army, and I am not anymore. Those of you who have been in the service knows how difficult it will be for me to get more information from them. Once you are out, they don't care if you have some kind of issue. I know this post sounds like a rant (and I guess it is). They really have me against the ropes here, and school starts soon, just feeling the pressure to get this done! Anyway, I have to start working on this so I have a chance of getting it done. If anyone has any advice, I'd appreciate it. Special thanks to Swisster for his help, and I am working on your advice..........RIGHT NOW! Whiteshadow By they way, what really makes me angry is that I could have not told them about the medication that originally denied my cert. There is no way they would have found out if I hadn't been honest about it. It's not like they would go through cross-referencing my Army records. I was honest, and am now paying the price. At least I know my integrity is not for sale, no matter how big the reward! Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 25, 2011 Author Posted July 25, 2011 Hey all. I am still working on my medical, but have some questions about a "special Issuance" certificate. I plan to call the Boulder Doc that DP suggested tomorrow. It's nice that he is in Boulder, because I can see him very easily. Here are my questions: How long is a special issuance good for? What makes it different from a regular certificate/ (how long it's good for, limitations, etc.) If I bring in the necessary paperwork, can I get one on the spot, or does it take a while to get it? After I get it, do I have to continue with my appeal for the regular certificate? Thanks to anyone who can help out! Quote
B-Hill Posted July 25, 2011 Posted July 25, 2011 (edited) Hey all. I am still working on my medical, but have some questions about a "special Issuance" certificate. I plan to call the Boulder Doc that DP suggested tomorrow. It's nice that he is in Boulder, because I can see him very easily. Here are my questions: How long is a special issuance good for? What makes it different from a regular certificate/ (how long it's good for, limitations, etc.) If I bring in the necessary paperwork, can I get one on the spot, or does it take a while to get it? After I get it, do I have to continue with my appeal for the regular certificate? Thanks to anyone who can help out! Check out Left Seat I know a couple people used them after a heart attack and they received their medical back within a few months, what normally would have taken 10-12 months. The link above talks about Special Issuance. Edited July 25, 2011 by B-Hill 1 Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 25, 2011 Author Posted July 25, 2011 B-Hill, thanks for the link. It's always good to learn about additional resources, just in case. Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 26, 2011 Author Posted July 26, 2011 Got in contact with Dr. Sancetta in Boulder today. What a helpful guy! He told me point blank everything he needs to see from my doctor. Then he set up a meeting to see him next week, once I have all the things he asked for in order. My doc is now working on it from their end, so it looks like I will be able to make that meeting next week with no issues. Thanks to everyone who has helped guide me through this, and for this site which has helped so many. A million thanks aren't enough to DP for putting me in contact with Dr. Sancetti! Quote
helonorth Posted July 26, 2011 Posted July 26, 2011 Sounds like you are still doing this on your own. If you haven't contacted the AOPA or something similar, you are making a big, possibly costly and time consuming mistake. Quote
Whiteshadow Posted July 27, 2011 Author Posted July 27, 2011 Helonorth, I went ahead and joined AOPA yesterday. For 40 bucks, you can't beat it. I will contact them soon, but I am really feeling good about what the Doc in Boulder is telling me. It seems that he knows what to do to help me. He said that he will help me push it through since school is just around the corner. I am going to keep going with what I have, but I will call AOPA tomorrow and see what they can do on their end as well. It can't hurt to have more than one entity working on it, right? In any case, thanks for looking out for me! I appreciate it. Quote
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