Hi there guys,
I think I’ve done a pretty good job reading through these forums. I know that my questions have been asked and answered before, but I still have that urge to read your responses to my particulars.
Background: I’m 46yo physician, and I have practiced medicine for years. I’m 5’ 6" and weigh 190 lb. Blame it on my wife’s good cooking and my lazy lifestyle. I have a “lazy eye”, high blood pressure, and type-II Diabetes, thanks to my BMI that’s border line obese (definitely overweight) and my genes. But, all of these are well controlled with meds, and I’m absolutely on top of it.
Flying has always been a dream and now my personal situation allows me to pursue this career. I’m fully committed.
I’ve gotten in touch with ATP Flight School in Phoenix, and took an intro training ride in a Cessna with a CFI. I have zero flying experience (unless you count 1989 Microsoft Flight Simulator that I launched off of a set of 3.5" floppy disks - and boy it was my favorite video game). My CFI said I was “natural”. This may have been a sales pitch to convince me to go with their school, because I think I did horribly, and my adrenaline was at peak level. Needless to say I was ecstatic, both about my first time in the pilot seat and his comment.
Now all I have to do is to go for my FAA class 1 medical, and I’m horrified that I would fail. I’m fairly certain that if I lose 50 lb I can stop taking my meds altogether. 140 lb was my weight 18 years ago, so it’s doable. But, as any doctor will tell you, diabetes has a nasty habit of creeping up on you again even after you lose the weight. It’s genetics, and you can’t fight that. But it will take sometime before it happens.
So here are my fears and concerns, and what I think can be done about them.
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Lazy eye → Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SDOA) I drive since I was 16, why can’t I fly?
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Diabetes (a disqualifying condition according to FAA if not controlled by diet and exercise alone) → this thread was interesting
There, Chris said “As far as the airlines are concerned, I don’t think you should need to disclose it to them.” Can you really “omit” this and get away with it? FYI, it’s really hard to hide your diabetes because it will show in your urine, blood, and even if you go to your test fasting, having taking your meds immediately prior, and didn’t eat any carbs/sugars for the last week to test negative, your HbA1c will expose you.
Q: Is it routine to test for HbA1c in FAA class 1 medical?
- Hypertension → will absolutely be gone with the weight loss. 100% positive.
Realistically, I need 5-6 months to lose 50 lb and keep them off. But I want to start flight school ASAP because everyday counts. I also got approved for a student loan for the full amount of the training that will expire on 7/5. If I don’t enroll by July 15, I will have to either reapply or pay out of pocket (both not good).
Questions:
- Can you get “Special Issuance” on your “first ever” try at FAA class 1 medical? Or do you have to pass 100% without any issues the first time around?
And if yes, I understand a Special Issuance will delay the process. Anyone knows how long? What factors, if any, affect the time the FAA needs to make a determination?
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The school said I can start while the exam results and any Special Issuance are still pending, but if I failed, I’ll have to drop, and now I’ll be saddled with the student loan. What would you do if you were in my shoes? Would you wait on your final results of the exam before enrolling, or depend on the anticipated AME assurances to go for it? (both the school and the AME are $$ driven) Mind you, if I wait for the results, I’m most definitely will have to reapply for the loan.
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Do you think it would be a good idea to put this whole pursuit off for 5 months until I lose the weight and then go for the exam, having to report my “lazy eye” as the single issue remaining? I’m afraid if I do this, I may get demoralized along the way and not lose weight in time. But if I’m under the stress of the school and the risk of losing money, I’ll be way more motivated to lose the weight and get in shape before the end of training (9 months).
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Down the road and after I lose the weight, Diabetes will come back and it won’t be controlled except with oral hypoglycemics (I know my genes will eventually fail me). Will that terminate my career right there and then?
This article
http://www.airspacedoc.com/what-is-diabetes-and-how-does-it-affect-your-medical/
says otherwise. It’s long. Read the last part “3.) Airman with a diagnosis of diabetes controlled by use of an oral medication may be considered for Special Issuance for all three classes of Medical Certification”. Any comments given the above? Do you know of diabetic pilots controlled with oral meds who kept their wings?
What do you guys think? Should I go for it?
Thanks for reading thus far. I’d really appreciate your take on this.
Zak