In the latest episode of the Pilot Minute, Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, explains how pilots can make it easier to get documents to the FAA by bringing them with you to your AME appointment. Take a little bit more than a minute to watch the video — it might save you some time and headaches.
I submitted the required results early in January 2023 on a stress test and EKG two months after I received a surprise pacemaker for bradycardia. Both my cardiologist and my AME have told me I’m good to go. They see no issue with my heart. It is now September – 9 months of ‘review’ of the documents that had been ‘accepted as complete’ in March. As yet my letter of inquiry to Ms. Northrup is unanswered. There is more to being healthy in the cockpit. There is also the matter of maintaining proficiency which I am now denied. Something is very wrong in Oklahoma City.
More blah blah blah from the broken FAA Medical Unit. I did just that. However my lab results were almost 60 days old. By the time one can schedule appointments and get results then schedule with the AME, the data is already too old for the Geniuses at the FAA? So, schedule more labs, more time wasted. Second results same as first, (actually same as last 15 years) forwarded to FAA and still waiting to fly. Think AOPA has been neutered but keep sending them money. They are here to help too. Yeah right?
I took the document to the AME to forward. Then later I got a letter from FAA to send them the same document. I don’t understand what’s what on this.
Like maybe the one that the AME had was not qualified? Or why do they need another copy?
The last time I sent my requested medical records in, I faxed them. I followed on the internet how long it took just to get the records into the examining system. Took 27 days for them to scan them to the examining doctors. Then another 13 weeks to get a reply.
This does nothing to improve the time it takes for the FAA to review the documents and make their decision.