Originally Posted by
semper fi
Hi SBV, how are things? what's with the feds in O city, care to expound on that item for the benefit of us all who are not really atune to the goings on regarding licensing in the U S of A, thanks.
Well FAA Medical exams are controlled by the FAA located in Oklahoma City OK (addressed as Feds since they work under the Federal Govt) and administered by Aeronautical Medical Examiners (AMEs) throughout the country. These AMEs are civilian docs that have undergone FAA checks to act as medical examiners in behalf of the FAA. Airmen in the US can apply for classes; 1st (mostly done to practice the priviledges of an ATP), 2nd (for Comm Pilot priviledges) and 3rd (for PPL, Recreational or Sports pilots). 1st class is the most restrictive of all which includes ECG hookups for airmen over 35 years old. If you have ANY medical "history" the Feds or AMEs are required to take a closer look at you, using checklists that are issued by the Feds and if it is "severe enough in FAA eyes" ground you until the Feds conclude that you are ok in their books. Just to ensure big brother is watching, even the ECGs are hooked up directly to the Feds. Because of the amount of people that go through this process and the bureaucracy involved (each case joins thousands other and meets quarterly boards only to be recycled back to square one even if it just lacks a check mark on a box) you fall into the blackhole and it is a pain in the arse to climb back out, most times requiring the help of outside sources (leftseat.com) and $$$. Of course this is a discouragement to most pilots that are medically challenged for one reason or another and most just quit flying...Or move somewhere else where they have a better chance of gaining their wings back.
Hope that better explains it...