Presentation matters - FAA is improving!

[Rick Junkin]

Ok, this may not seem like much but it is a big deal to me.

I have a Special Issuance Class 2 medical certificate. The first clip is the leading verbiage on my original and first renewal SI letters, which initially made me gulp until I got to the approval part. The second clip is the verbiage from my latest SI renewal. 

 

 

Someone had to specifically make this change in the boilerplate for the authorization letters. I for one appreciate it and see this as movement in the right direction. I understand the need to site all of the appropriate regulatory references, but leading with the GOOD news in a "we are pleased to inform you" style makes a big difference in the communication. This doesn't help any with the long duration of the SI approval process but it gives me the impression they are working with and for us.

A small sign of progress, but I want to recognize it.

Cheers,
Rick

 

Cheers,
Rick

[hammdo]

First time I read mine I thought sh** then read the rest and thought why did they lead it that way. This one is better verbiage…

-Don

[0TreeLemur]

1 hour ago, hammdo said:

First time I read mine I thought sh** then read the rest and thought why did they lead it that way. This one is better verbiage…

-Don

^^^^ Exactly the same experience.    I read the "you are ineligible" part and my heart sank.  Then it occurred to me, that there is a lot more text, that doesn't make sense if they are denying.  Horrible feeling.   I really like the "we are pleased to inform you." verbiage.

[midlifeflyer]

I remember when I got one of those - first one - that mention seasonal hay fever. 

No, I didn't need an SI for that. But it was mentioned along with what the SI was for.

Nice to see "friendlier" is catching on with CAMI too.

[Planegary]

CurrentlyI am in treatment for lymphoma and spoke with AMASS yesterday. I was told by the Dr that I spoke with that the FAA was getting more up to date and according to the case are issuing special issuances for 1 st class physicals. My fingers are crossed that I will be one of those and can go back to work soon,I have been grounded since Oct and the itch is getting bad to fly again but due to my compromised immune system from the chemo I have to isolate and it is a jail sentence  This thread helps to reinforce my attitude of sooner rather than later.

[Rick Junkin]

27 minutes ago, Planegary said:

This thread helps to reinforce my attitude of sooner rather than later.

We’ll be hoping for the best for you, Gary.

Best regards,
Rick

[Planegary]

Thank you Rick

[Steve0715]

I’m 4-6 weeks from finding out my fate.  I hoping for a kind beginning to my letter. 

[Planegary]

Hope you get good news Steve

[Fly Boomer]

5 hours ago, Evan said:

I've been through the wringer getting a 2nd class medical. Some may find this hard to believe, but the FAA has really improved the SI process in the last 12-24 months. There was a horrible backlog during COVID but they are starting to make good progress. Susan Northrup, the Federal Air Surgeon, really has me helpfully that there will be a lot of good change in the coming years. Lots of good videos online with her being interviewed. My biggest wish? Eliminate the 3rd class medical. 

I'm assuming you have been through the wringer because you need that medical for work?

[Steve0715]

20 hours ago, Evan said:

I've been through the wringer getting a 2nd class medical. Some may find this hard to believe, but the FAA has really improved the SI process in the last 12-24 months. There was a horrible backlog during COVID but they are starting to make good progress. Susan Northrup, the Federal Air Surgeon, really has me helpfully that there will be a lot of good change in the coming years. Lots of good videos online with her being interviewed. My biggest wish? Eliminate the 3rd class medical. 

I have to disagree that things have improved.  The bureaucracy is firmly entrenched and it is still taking 4 month to process a SI application.  I’m not sure why they say otherwise.  When I stated the process 9/1/22), the medexpress portal said 31 days for results.  Sometime a few months later that was changed to 60 days.  For months their phone number to check on your application simply dropped the call after stating they were too busy.  Lately I get an answer and they  say my file is on a desk awaiting review. 
 

I hope it gets better.  But for now…4 months..hopefully.

[Fly Boomer]

17 hours ago, Evan said:

I did... still use it occasionaly, though. I no longer fly for a living. 

I'm just thinking that, once you get a medical of any class, why not switch to Basic Med?  I'm sure you know that if you bust your medical, then you are not eligible for Basic Med.

[Fly Boomer]

12 minutes ago, Evan said:

I have Basic Med as well.

I see.  I did not realize that having Basic Med was a form of protection for busting a medical.  If it works that way, that's a smart move.

[hammdo]

During Covid, I submitted in Feb and called weekly to ck my status. Finally received my new SI in August of that year - so it took 6 months with back and forth requests for more information.

Did SI the next year and while waiting for the new SI, did BasicMed and that is what I’m doing now.

-Don

[DonMuncy]

Basic Med works fine until your insurance carrier decides your age makes you a danger to everything on earth and requires you to have a 3rd class medical every year. 

[rbp]

1 hour ago, DonMuncy said:

Basic Med works fine until your insurance carrier decides your age makes you a danger to everything on earth and requires you to have a 3rd class medical every year. 

my carrier doesn’t require me to have a medical.

when i was flying with an instructor who did not meet the open pilot requirement, I asked, and they said as long as I, the named pilot, am flying the plane, they don’t care if I am legally PIC

[carusoam]

Nothing brings back the old memory of how these letters are written… 

We have to get to the end to know the result…

When we get disappointed by the first paragraph… we may never get to the good news!

Thanks for sharing the docs!

 

For added challenges… wait until your memory doesn’t hold out as long as this glacial process takes… 

 

Best regards,

-a-

[carusoam]

Once we have an SI…

And the original condition has been cleared… for decades…

Is there ever a way to go back to the regular Class III….?

Just wondering…

Best regards,

-a-

[Rick Junkin]

3 hours ago, carusoam said:

Is there ever a way to go back to the regular Class III….?

I think it depends on what the SI was for.

I can’t point you to a verifiable reference but for example I’ve been told that for some cancers the SI goes away after 5 years of non-recurrence. I’m hoping that’s correct.

Cheers,
Rick

[Rick Junkin]

4 hours ago, carusoam said:

Once we have an SI…

And the original condition has been cleared… for decades…

Is there ever a way to go back to the regular Class III….?

Just wondering…

Best regards,

-a-

Here’s a link to the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. This is a good starting point for coming up with questions for your AME about what’s what with your SI. The CACI (Conditions AME Can Issue) section can be particularly helpful and contains links to the CACI checklists where you’ll find some good information if your condition is a CACI condition. 

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/guide.pdf#page251

Cheers,
Rick