Helicopter or Fixed Wing?

John Williams said:
Why wouldn't I be able to get the 1st class? The only difference between the 1st and 3rd is increased vision requirements (which I already tested at) and an electrocardiogram. I'm only 16, so the electrocardiogram should be a non event.. and yes, airlines allow corrective lenses. Glasses do not require a special issuance.
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My friend,

None of us on here have the qualifications to give you a definite answer. Speak to a designated aviation medical examiner to get a real answer. You might get a lot of replies with anectdotal (sp?) evidence but it doesn't count for squat.

You can look up your local AME on google. Call him, tell him your situation and that you would like to discuss your options moving forward. DO NOT sign up for a medical exam. Just have a chat about what to do before you attempt to get your medical and then follow his advice, step by step, from there.

My other two pieces of advice
1) go fixed wing
2) get through training with as little student loan debt as possible

Unfortunately, us pilots seem incapable of the phrase "I don't know." This causes us to talk out of our b-holes on internet forums without realizing it. In short, every pilot is a know it all, involuntarily, full of BS, liar who doesn't even realize it. Hopefully one day, you will be too!

Sincerely,

Me
 
John Williams said:
Why wouldn't I be able to get the 1st class? The only difference between the 1st and 3rd is increased vision requirements (which I already tested at) and an electrocardiogram. I'm only 16, so the electrocardiogram should be a non event.. and yes, airlines allow corrective lenses. Glasses do not require a special issuance.
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Yes I know the airlines accept corrective lenses. I never said you couldn't obtain a 1st class, I'm telling you to stop asking these questions on the Internet and go talk to an AME and get a first class. You can study everything that will disqualify you but if you're really worried about a medical go talk to an AME, not an online forum asking what you should do. You could have something underlying that you might now know about that could disqualify you. It could be anything. I'm just saying before you get very interested into it, it's not a bad idea to make sure you're good to go. This is not the place to figure out if you're good to go.
 
TWP said:
My friend,

None of us on here have the qualifications to give you a definite answer. Speak to a designated aviation medical examiner to get a real answer. You might get a lot of replies with anectdotal (sp?) evidence but it doesn't count for squat.

You can look up your local AME on google. Call him, tell him your situation and that you would like to discuss your options moving forward. DO NOT sign up for a medical exam. Just have a chat about what to do before you attempt to get your medical and then follow his advice, step by step, from there.
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This is solid advice! If you can't get a first class medical, that will really limit your aviation options and future earning potential to the point that you may want to consider another career. As I understand it, it is highly undesirable to be denied issuance of a medical certificate, so consulting with the AME BEFORE actually applying for the medical examination is a wise decision.

I wouldn't make any major decisions on this if I were you until you have a first class medical IN YOUR HANDS!
 
Is a special issuance considered a denial of medical certification? And is a special issuance first class sufficient? And I already know who my local AME is, I had an exam done with him for my 3rd class. He is hard to understand, and I don't think he's familiar with my conditions.
 
John Williams said:
Is a special issuance considered a denial of medical certification? And is a special issuance first class sufficient? And I already know who my local AME is, I had an exam done with him for my 3rd class. He is hard to understand, and I don't think he's familiar with my conditions.
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No, a special issuance is not a denial. If you don't think your AME can handle you conditions, find another. There's ton's of them out there.

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

Also, if you tell us where you live, someone here might be able to make a recommendation(which is about all pilots are good for regarding medical advice).
I've never gone to an AME that I didn't get a referral from a friend.
 
John,
A few things here for you,

1st, find a different AME who you can understand and who is willing to work with you. Its not going to be cheap. You are going to spend more than a few 1000s to go through testing and evaluation.

2nd, Get educated on the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disp/
It is the resource all AMEs will use to make a determination on your particular medical issues. Look up your particular issues and then research what the FAA can do / will do. At least one of your issues will be a significant huddle. Autoimmune Encephalitis symptoms include alteration of consciousness, cognitive decline, seizure, and abnormal movements. This is a going to be a challenge for you to fly for the airlines. Doesn't mean it can't "possibly" be overcome. But it is going to be a significant up hill climb. The people on this forum ARE NOT qualified to answer that for you. As many have pointed out, you need a AME who specializes in difficult cases. I recommend you contact the AOPA aviation medical breach for advice. You will need to get a membership with AOPA before they will help you. I "DO NOT" recommend Dr. Bruce Chin. There are better people to help out there. Do your research.

3rd, Jet Careers is a forum focused on the airlines. Airline pilots make up less than 1/5 the commercial pilots in the nation. There are PLENTY of other pilot jobs besides the airlines and much more of them. Most of which you can do with only a class 2 medical.

4th, it isn't the end of the world if you can't get a class 2 or 3 medical. You can still potentially fly under sport pilot or recreational pilot rules. You could even get paid as an instructor.

Keep your head up. Took me 10 years to get my medical approved and back into the cockpit after getting injured in the Army. A lot of people told me I would never fly. I have 4 commercial ratings now and work for an airline.
 
av8tr1 said:
John,
A few things here for you,

1st, find a different AME who you can understand and who is willing to work with you. Its not going to be cheap. You are going to spend more than a few 1000s to go through testing and evaluation.

2nd, Get educated on the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners. http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disp/
It is the resource all AMEs will use to make a determination on your particular medical issues. Look up your particular issues and then research what the FAA can do / will do. At least one of your issues will be a significant huddle. Autoimmune Encephalitis symptoms include alteration of consciousness, cognitive decline, seizure, and abnormal movements. This is a going to be a challenge for you to fly for the airlines. Doesn't mean it can't "possibly" be overcome. But it is going to be a significant up hill climb. The people on this forum ARE NOT qualified to answer that for you. As many have pointed out, you need a AME who specializes in difficult cases. I recommend you contact the AOPA aviation medical breach for advice. You will need to get a membership with AOPA before they will help you. I "DO NOT" recommend Dr. Bruce Chin. There are better people to help out there. Do your research.

3rd, Jet Careers is a forum focused on the airlines. Airline pilots make up less than 1/5 the commercial pilots in the nation. There are PLENTY of other pilot jobs besides the airlines and much more of them. Most of which you can do with only a class 2 medical.

4th, it isn't the end of the world if you can't get a class 2 or 3 medical. You can still potentially fly under sport pilot or recreational pilot rules. You could even get paid as an instructor.

Keep your head up. Took me 10 years to get my medical approved and back into the cockpit after getting injured in the Army. A lot of people told me I would never fly. I have 4 commercial ratings now and work for an airline.
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Thanks for the suggestions.

1. So would it be a good idea to find an AME who also happens to be a neurologist? Because they would probably be more familiar with Autoimmune Encephalitis.

2. Who's Dr. Bruce Chin?

3. I know, but these might not pay enough.

4. I already have a 3rd class medical, albeit a special issuance one. I know that I can at least be a private pilot.

Also, is your medical a special issuance, and if so, did the airlines ask what it's for?
 
Go fixed wing and learn the basics. Maybe just to solo or even private pilot. I had one student who did just that( private pilot airplane) and then began his rotorwing training.Then figure out if you really want a career in flying. Rotorwing is expensive and I feel many jobs will dry up as drones become even more capable and common.
 
John Williams said:
Thanks for the suggestions.

1. So would it be a good idea to find an AME who also happens to be a neurologist? Because they would probably be more familiar with Autoimmune Encephalitis.

2. Who's Dr. Bruce Chin?

3. I know, but these might not pay enough.

4. I already have a 3rd class medical, albeit a special issuance one. I know that I can at least be a private pilot.

Also, is your medical a special issuance, and if so, did the airlines ask what it's for?
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1. Yes, but I don't know how you would find one. I recommend you take the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners to your current attending physician and get his/her input on the issues. Then AOPA should be able to direct you to someone who can help.

2. Dr. Bruce Chin is a AME who specializes in helping people with difficult FAA medical issues. He is sort of a steamroller and can be difficult to work with. But he is very popular on some pilot boards because "some" people have had success with him. I would only recommend him as a last resort as you will throw a LOT of money at him with no guarantee of success. (However no one can guarantee a successful outcome).

3. LOL, that is the myth that the airline industry wants you to believe. Don't believe it. There are MANY jobs that pay WAY better than the airlines, with better schedules and a better quality of life. I've got a buddy who flies a G5 for a private owner and is paid over 250K and works about 5 days a month. The airline pilot life isn't the glamours life you've been lead to believe by the movies. Its really a bus driver and I hear from a lot of people that they eventually hated the job.

4. AWESOME! "Likely" if you got a 3rd class you should be able to get a 2nd class. I figured with the symptoms of the Autoimmune Encephalitis I wasn't confident that you would get even a 3rd, but if its already been approved then it should not be too difficult to get a 2nd.

5. My medical is not a special issuance. I had a unique injury and had to prove to the FAA that it would not be an issue. Trying to prove a negative can be a real challenge on its own. Trying to prove a negative to the government is its own set of trouble. Like trying to get puppies to stay in one area with out a gate.
 
John Williams said:
Also, is your medical a special issuance, and if so, did the airlines ask what it's for?
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You're young, so here's some edjumication: The airlines (along with most other employers) are not allowed to ask you about specific medical conditions due to patient confidentiality laws. They can ask "Do you have a Class (X) medical exam?"

In other spheres of employment, asking "Can you lift 50 pounds?" is legal where "Tell us about the medical conditions you have" is not.
 
av8tr1 said:
1. Yes, but I don't know how you would find one. I recommend you take the Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners to your current attending physician and get his/her input on the issues. Then AOPA should be able to direct you to someone who can help.

2. Dr. Bruce Chin is a AME who specializes in helping people with difficult FAA medical issues. He is sort of a steamroller and can be difficult to work with. But he is very popular on some pilot boards because "some" people have had success with him. I would only recommend him as a last resort as you will throw a LOT of money at him with no guarantee of success. (However no one can guarantee a successful outcome).

3. LOL, that is the myth that the airline industry wants you to believe. Don't believe it. There are MANY jobs that pay WAY better than the airlines, with better schedules and a better quality of life. I've got a buddy who flies a G5 for a private owner and is paid over 250K and works about 5 days a month. The airline pilot life isn't the glamours life you've been lead to believe by the movies. Its really a bus driver and I hear from a lot of people that they eventually hated the job.

4. AWESOME! "Likely" if you got a 3rd class you should be able to get a 2nd class. I figured with the symptoms of the Autoimmune Encephalitis I wasn't confident that you would get even a 3rd, but if its already been approved then it should not be too difficult to get a 2nd.

5. My medical is not a special issuance. I had a unique injury and had to prove to the FAA that it would not be an issue. Trying to prove a negative can be a real challenge on its own. Trying to prove a negative to the government is its own set of trouble. Like trying to get puppies to stay in one area with out a gate.
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Thanks for the prompt response.

I actually found an AME who's a neurologist about 2 and a 1/2 hours from where I live. I'll be sure to avoid Dr. Bruce Chin.

I think I should be able to get the first class. The third class is the biggest hurdle, because that's when they need all your medical history. The second just bumps up the vision requirements, and the first just requires some heart test (electrocardiogram).
 
hook_dupin said:
You're young, so here's some edjumication: The airlines (along with most other employers) are not allowed to ask you about specific medical conditions due to patient confidentiality laws. They can ask "Do you have a Class (X) medical exam?"

In other spheres of employment, asking "Can you lift 50 pounds?" is legal where "Tell us about the medical conditions you have" is not.
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That's good to know. So it sounds like a special issuance first class will suffice.
 
Were I in your situation, the thing that would concern me most is the possibility of losing your medical. It would seem to me that someone who needs a special issuance to get it, has a greater chance of losing it. You may want to consider an alternative career or, actively cultivating one while you are pursuing aviation.
 
John Williams said:
I can't know where I want to go to college until I decide on a career.
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In all honesty, if you really feel like you need to go to college then maybe Juilliard is best. My advise to you is to strongly consider continuing your current career, both because I enjoy your work and I bet you're making a ton of money. To each's own.
 
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