3rd Class Medical/SODA

[robert l]

Well..............I started down this rabbet hole one year and six months ago, and today, the verdict came in the mail. I always heard in order to get a Special Issuance Medical, you had to jump through a lot of hoops, well, that's an understatement ! After three separate back and forth exchanges of paper work with Oklahoma City, multiple Dr. visits and "RE DOING" the required stuff, WITH documentation, I can once again commit aviation as a private pilot with a 3rd class medical, with restrictions that is. My initial FAA doctor visit to get the ball rolling was in March of 2018, so, my new medical expires March of 2019, so glad I didn't start in October !!! And I will have to "RE DO" all that medical stuff before the end of March of 2020 and every 12 months from now on. I truly believed they wanted me to just give up but since I don't really give a crap about any other, "hobbies/activities", that wasn't going to happen. Now, I just need to go fly.
Bob, yes, it was really worth it Crawford

[DaleB]

And I will have to "RE DO" all that medical stuff before the end of March of 2020 and every 12 months from now on.

Why?? Now that you have your SI, you can go Basic Med. Would Basic Med not work for you? If it does, you'll never need to get a medical again.

[thisadviceisworthles]

Why?? Now that you have your SI, you can go Basic Med. Would Basic Med not work for you? If it does, you'll never need to get a medical again.

This. In my eyes, every year you apply for a new medical, is another chance for the FAA to deny it. The first time you encounter a tough medical, switch to BasicMed, then if you no longer qualify for BasicMed, fly light sport. The biggest limitation to flying BasicMed is you are limited to 5 passengers, and if you have more than 5 non-pilot friends, you should to obtain a CFI certificate rather than a larger plane.

[robert l]

Why?? Now that you have your SI, you can go Basic Med. Would Basic Med not work for you? If it does, you'll never need to get a medical again.

That's what I thought but the letter states that; every 12 months I have to have ; a current cardiovascular evaluation and current lab report; a current exercise stress test; a current obstructive sleep apnea status report. None of these are going to be a problem other than having to do them and get the reports in before the expiration date. I'm going to talk with my Aero Med Dr. to see what he thinks. I've fought this battle this long, I'm not gonna stop now !
Bob, just plain Bob, or is it, plane Bob ?

[melann]

That's what I thought but the letter states that; every 12 months I have to have ; a current cardiovascular evaluation and current lab report; a current exercise stress test; a current obstructive sleep apnea status report. None of these are going to be a problem other than having to do them and get the reports in before the expiration date. I'm going to talk with my Aero Med Dr. to see what he thinks. I've fought this battle this long, I'm not gonna stop now !
Bob, just plain Bob, or is it, plane Bob ?

These requirements are to maintain a 3rd Class Medical. They are not required for BasicMed.

[robert l]

These requirements are to maintain a 3rd Class Medical. They are not required for BasicMed.

Well Hot Dang ! That's the kind of flying I do anyway, I would have kept flying Sport Pilot if the Cessna 150 would have been included, a 172 would be nice once in a while just for comfort. I'm going to investigate this further just to see what's involved so I don't screw up. I feel better already.
Bob, it ain't over till it's over Crawford

[robert l]

Well, after some internet searching, FAA.org, AOPA, etc. I think I have everything I need to go BasicMed when the time comes. I did get a little conflicting info about being able to be a safety pilot with BasicMed, but I don't foresee that being a problem.
Bob