Medical Denial then Special issuance. Employable?

[Taylorzu]

Hi All,

I am hoping to get your advice on how having a denial and then special issuance will affect getting a job and a lasting career.

Long story short, I applied for my Class II medical and it was approved.  Great!  Medical in hand!  A few months went by and I realized I accidentally omitted a hospitalization from years ago.  I had been drinking and went to the hospital.  In and out pretty quickly and didn't think too much about it.  It was years ago and it was a blip on my radar.  Anyways, after months of lawyers, APOA, HIMS AME, etc. I told the FAA about the omission, reapplied for a medical and was denied.  No surprise there.  The FAA said I could go the Special issuance route after completing a laundry list of expensive and time consuming tests and support.  I did all that was asked and was happy to do it.  I definitely understand their position and feel grateful to even have the chance to fly.

I now have a special issuance Class II medical and working towards my commercial and CFI rating.  However, I am not sure how the special issuance or more importantly, the denial, will affect my chances of getting a job in the future.  Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.  If anyone has been through this scenario please send some advice!

I understand that this was my error that I am having to pay for and am appreciative of the FAA.  I am just hoping from some direction from those in the field already.  I have reached out to a few companies to get their take on the situation but am still waiting to hear back from most.

Thanks so much!
Taylor 

 

[Wally]

A suggestion: Join the AOPA. Yeah, it's an airplane driver club, but they have an excellent section providing medical advice and assistance. Used it for decades to great benefit.

The magazine is worth a read, as well.

[nightsta1ker]

I have been through this for different reasons.  Was down for 2.5 years and spent close to 100k on medical testing to satisfy the FAA that I am fit to fly after a near loss of consciousness that was chalked up by my doctors as being due to chronic dehydration.  I am back to flying with a special issuance and the bottom line is, you have a class II medical. You are eligible to fly commercially.  That's all your employer should care about.  There are a lot of pilots out there flying commercially on special issuance medicals due to various reasons, whether it be previous alcoholism, heart issues, or other problems that need to be monitored, treated, or mitigated and require extra surveillance by the FAA to verify you are still safe for flight. 

TLDR: You jumped through the hoops and got the paper.  You are good to go.  But I wouldn't advertise it.  Better to keep it to yourself unless someone specifically asks.