.....I just asked the CAA if I could appeal my Class 2 independently and they said yes, so I did. (I don't even know if people commonly do this or if they always appeal through their AME)?
- Nowadays the normal process is to appeal via an AME, in fact I am surprised you were allowed to make an appeal on your own behalf. The benefit of having an AME involved is that they are (or should be!) very familar with the certification requirements for issue of the medical and they will also more than likely have made appeals in the past and be familar with the process. They can liase with the specialist and explain exactly what is required from a medico-legal standpoint. Unless the specialist has an interest in aviation medicine they will most likely not understand the certification requirements and the necessary criteria that must be met or mitigated against for certification.
- Most AME's are aviators themselves and want to get you flying again rather than just take your money.