On re-reading the letter OKC sent, they were clearly confused by my doctor’s confusing notes.
"ASSESSMENT:
Psoriasis
Depression screening
Long-term use of high-risk medication"
I’m not sure mometasone furoate is high-risk or what my doctor is referring to there, haha. I plugged it into the AMAS database and it says the FAA allows it, so that’s good. Says the trade name is Nasonex…hmm, doesn’t sound right. Weird.
Martin,
You really need to call the FAA or your AME. None of us are qualified to dispense advice in these areas. It sounds like there is maybe some sort of mix up that talking to them might help settle out.
Chris
Small update to share.
After calling pretty much every behavioral health facility in my state and being told one of the following: Not taking new patients, next availability isn’t until late 2024, or they won’t get involved with anything FAA related, I found a HIMS neuropsychologist about two hours away and have an appointment scheduled for Dec. 4th. Lots of paperwork to gather including full driving record, any and all school transcripts, recent job promotions, any medical documentation that deals with ADHD (which for me was just my doctors appointment from earlier this year), records of all medications and a personal written statement. The HIMS doctor said it should only be about an hour or two, they’ve gone through this new fast track with other pilots before and my cost is roughly $500 which I’m not upset about considering the alternative. Also have to have a full drug screening done within 24 hours of my appointment which I also have set up. As long as everything goes smoothly which I anticipate it will, I’ll be cleared for my medical next week!
I spoke with ATP this week and KUES has start dates as early as February which is good to hear. I’m planning on a start date closer to the end of March/Early April to give myself plenty of time to finish all my writtens prior to the start date. That being said, I’ve read Brady’s writeup about studying for the writens, along with others recommending Sporty’s Study Buddy app for the PAR. Is that app still available? I’ve search high and low, and the only thing I can find is for an android application, or Sportys Learn to Fly course (which is on sale for $250 until 12/5). I saw Adam mentioned in an old post from 18’ that the study body app was free, but I can not find it anywhere online or in the App Store. I just want to make sure I’m not spending money I don’t need to if I am missing something.
Justin
Justin,
Sporty’s no longer offers the free Study Buddy but now includes it in their PPL course. Personally I don’t think it’s worth it (but your call).
Do some Googling, there are other free offerings available, I’m just not sure which is best?
Adam
Justin,
Sadly we are unsure of what happened with the Sporty’s Study Buddy App, Hannah recommended on another forum of the ASA App? That may be worth checking out, the other option is to contact ATP directly and see what they are currently recommending. If you have enrollment you should have access to hundreds of ATP’s resources that would prepare you.
I can say I have been looking around for other applications and resources in the meantime trying to figure out an approach to the PAR.
Brady
Justin,
I’ll post it again here… (disclaimer, I am not a sales rep for ASA. Simply a happy customer that used it years ago. Hopefully it helps you too) 
Hannah
Justin,
I am a long time fan of King Schools and the offerings they have for written prep study. I would check out their website. Beware, the Kings are an acquired taste. I think they are great, others not so much.
Chris
Hey folks,
It’s been a while so I thought I’d share a little update.
Last I posted, I was working on getting my first class medical. Had a little red flag on my history with a referral from my family doctor to see a specialist for ADHD.
I attended my meeting with the HIMS neuropsychologist and everything went well. This was using the ADHD Fast track method that was just released late 2023. Meeting took about 2 hours, 10 minutes of which was spent talking about my reason for being there, medical history etc. The rest of the time we just shot the shit, talking about traveling, tv shows, current economy etc. I’m sure they were performing some Jedi physiology mind tricks to see how I responded to different questions, but regardless it went smoothly. I took a full panel drug test afterwards and everything was sent off to my AME. Within a week I was issued my First Class Medical without an issue! Woohoo, finally after months, we have the medical finalized.
I now have everything I need to start classes, the last step is to finalize financial aid, no big deal right? HA! I applied with Sallie Mae and got denied. No surprise. My parents offered to cosign for me. Just received an approval from SM…13.5% APR! Is this a joke? I have credit cards that offer a better interest rate. My estimated monthly payments for the next 15 years was something like $2,200/month. This can’t be normal right? How would a pilot afford that (plus bachelor loan that airlines recommend, rent, left)?
I’m currently looking into other options and open to any recommendations. It seems like common practice for many students is to refinance after they land a regional gig, is that recommended?
Doing whatever I can to keep this dream alive!
Looking forward to hearing your comments, and thanks again.
Justin
Justin,
Those rates are common and I have actually heard of much higher from other lenders. It is important to remember that these are unsecured loans, there is nothing the bank can take from you if you refuse to pay, so they are essentially taking a larger risk on a loan like this than they do on a car loan, mortgage, etc. It does seem that most people take the high interest rate initially and then refinance after a year or so. I believe there are others on the forum that have experience with this, hopefully they will chip in.
Chris
Justin,
Also keep in mind a $100k plus hiring bonus will take care of most of it.
Adam
In the meantime, you can save money like crazy. You know the saying a penny saved is a penny earned? In your case, a penny saved averages to about 4 pennies earned. Anything you can do to get the principle amount of the loan down will help.
Justin,
In 2020, mine was nearly 12%, I made it work. I would highly recommend looking at budgeting tactics and strategies to minimize your expenses during the program. I opted-in with the $25/mo. payment option, which helped just a little. You CAN always refinance it once you are hired or making money, don’t forget that.
Brady
Thank you! Your posts are very informative and definitely appreciated by someone like me. 
Justin,
Congratulations on the issuance of your first class medical!
Regarding financing, feel free to reach out to ATP’s finance department at 904-595-7946. They’d be happy to cover other available options.
Addison
Back for a little update.
I last left off on trying to find financing for the program and was hit with a 13.5% rate by Sallie Mae. I spoke with ATP’s finance department and they directed me towards a credit union they partner with, Center Parc Credit Union. I believe they’re based out of Atlanta. If you’re looking for financing, I would highly recommend checking them out. With a cosigner I was offered 8.99%!
I am still waiting on my First class to come in the mail. How long does that typically take? ATP won’t allow me to pick a start date until I have the physical copy and it’s been almost 2 months. I’ve heard 6-8 weeks, but if anyone has insight on what to expect, I’d appreciate it!
Time to start studying, goal is to have all exams done before my anticipated start date in May.
Thanks again everyone, hopefully next update I’ll have a start date 
Justin
Justin,
Welcome back.
Sad to say, 13.5% is common today with interest rates. These have been like this for the last few years and I personally don’t know when we will see them decrease… the bright news is, you can always refinance later! Better to lock in a rate and get approved then miss your shot.
While the FAA medical division can take some time to process medicals, have you attempted to follow up with anyone since it was deferred to OKC?
Brady
I got I think 6% when I applied last year. Hopefully when I apply again later this year, it won’t be too much worse.
, wanna trade? 
Brady
I was surprised, I’d have to look but I think it may have been lower depending on which payment option.
Justin,
The FAA is incredibly slow, I would call them and ask for an update. I do know that vision issues can take quite some time to work through.
ATP will not let people schedule start dates without having medicals for this very reason, it can take many months for the FAA to even respond, which might just generate even more questions and more months of waiting. ATP needs to be able to offer those class positions to those that do have medicals.
Working on the written exams is the best hing you can do right now, keep it up.
Chris