Jamail Larkins, the FAA Ambassador for Aviation & Space Education, brought the DreamLaunch tour to San Diego, with a stop at San Diego International Airport (KSAN).
“San Diego International Airport made our visit a huge success,” Jamail reports.
“Airports and air shows are some of my favorite places to host students, because they offer something a classroom never can — real-world exposure to aviation in action,” he continues. “For a high school or college student, getting behind the scenes at a major international airport can be a career-changing experience.”
This was the first DreamLaunch visit to San Diego “and it was a strong one,” he adds.
“About 200 high school and college students had the opportunity to explore the wide range of careers available across aviation,” he says.
“Even after years on the road, I still learn something new at many tour stops,” adds Jamail, who has been doing DreamLaunch tours since 2004.
“One of the most eye-opening discoveries in San Diego was San Diego Miramar College,” he says. “In most parts of the country, earning an A&P certificate will cost around $50,000. But at Miramar, a public community college, students of any age can complete the same A&P program for roughly $4,000 out of pocket.”
“It’s a powerful reminder that whether aviation is your career goal or a lifelong passion, doing your research before choosing a training path can make a dramatic difference and save thousands,” he advises.
Question of the Day
The most important question of the day came from an aspiring pilot during one of our college sessions. He had already applied for his FAA medical with a condition that will likely be approved — but because he didn’t know about the resources available to help navigate medical gray areas, his application had been deferred. He was now being told it could cost several thousand dollars in testing to move forward.
His question was simple: “What do I do now?”
Jamail’s Answer
My advice: If you have any potential medical complication, it’s best to speak with experts like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Pilot Information Center BEFORE visiting your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
They — or any other aviation medical consultant — won’t help you hide or misrepresent anything, but they do know how to correctly and strategically disclose information to reduce the risk of a deferral.
If you’re already in deferred status, don’t try to handle it on your own. Don’t start submitting paperwork blindly. Contact a professional aviation medical consultant who understands the medical process. There are paths forward and the right guidance can save a lot of time, money, and frustration.
Bottom line: If you are on the fence about being able to obtain a medical for any reason, remember:
- One call before your AME visit can avoid a deferral
- One call after a deferral can get you flying again.
Either way, don’t try to do it by yourself!
Learn more about the DreamLaunch tour here and read all of the Where’s Jamail? posts here.
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