Andrew_Neal
Well-Known Member
Hey folks,
Personal post but perhaps I'll learn something from someone who has been through this, or help somebody who hasn't.
I've been in the process of trying to get through flight training since 2016. I went the collegiate route, using my VA benefits. I completed my commercial helicopter rating (personal goal), then went on to start my FW ratings. I opted to do my private first as opposed to doing a commercial category add-on because the way the VA was funding the training, it allowed me to utilize the same amount of benefits and end up with more hours. So.. did the private, did my instrument in 9 weeks flat, did my commercial, then during check-ride prep for the commercial ticket my father died unexpectedly at the age of 54. Took a short break, but ended up experiencing some panic attacks in the months after I buried dad. Had to postpone my flying. It was 1st class renewal time for me, and I disclosed all of this to the AME knowing it would get denied and I'd have to begin the long process of A) addressing the health issue, and then B) jumping through hoops to get back in the cockpit. I did my course of treatment through the VA to save on cost. Well.. the VA decided to diagnose me with PTSD after combining my father's early death with some military trauma/history - which continued to complicate things. I took Lexapro for a year, fully recovered from those panic attacks, and moved on. It's been 9 months since I stopped taking medication and we're going on 2 years since I've had any symptoms. I consider myself 100% - and so does my psychologist and PCP.. so now for the FAA part. I'll be 30 in October, and I'm married with 5 children.
With each letter back and forth with OKC, it's like peeling back the layers of an onion to figure out exactly what they want. 5 or 6 correspondents later (each taking months), I think I have a good idea of exactly what they want. I've provided them with my treatment records, and my physicians have even provided statements signed on their letterhead "clearing" me in their own words. The latest letter has explained that they want a forensic psychiatric evaluation.. so I'm about to spend ~$1500 on one of those because they're apparently not covered under my (or most) insurance policies.
I'm an avionics technician turned software engineer currently working in defense - and I love the work. I just happen to love flying more. So the goal is to get my medical back and finish training.. so that I can either continue to build hours and get on with a regional - or just save flying for a second "fun" career after I retire from Lockheed. The break from flight training has allowed me to focus on my master's degree in computer science, which is a personal goal, but I sure do miss flying.
Not sure what sort of dialogue I'm looking for here, I just hadn't posted here in ages and figured I'd write about something. I'm in the greater Atlanta area, so I'm considering paying Dr. Faulkner a visit to see if I'm on the right track - or can somehow avoid the hefty forensic evaluation fee. Thoughts?
Personal post but perhaps I'll learn something from someone who has been through this, or help somebody who hasn't.
I've been in the process of trying to get through flight training since 2016. I went the collegiate route, using my VA benefits. I completed my commercial helicopter rating (personal goal), then went on to start my FW ratings. I opted to do my private first as opposed to doing a commercial category add-on because the way the VA was funding the training, it allowed me to utilize the same amount of benefits and end up with more hours. So.. did the private, did my instrument in 9 weeks flat, did my commercial, then during check-ride prep for the commercial ticket my father died unexpectedly at the age of 54. Took a short break, but ended up experiencing some panic attacks in the months after I buried dad. Had to postpone my flying. It was 1st class renewal time for me, and I disclosed all of this to the AME knowing it would get denied and I'd have to begin the long process of A) addressing the health issue, and then B) jumping through hoops to get back in the cockpit. I did my course of treatment through the VA to save on cost. Well.. the VA decided to diagnose me with PTSD after combining my father's early death with some military trauma/history - which continued to complicate things. I took Lexapro for a year, fully recovered from those panic attacks, and moved on. It's been 9 months since I stopped taking medication and we're going on 2 years since I've had any symptoms. I consider myself 100% - and so does my psychologist and PCP.. so now for the FAA part. I'll be 30 in October, and I'm married with 5 children.
With each letter back and forth with OKC, it's like peeling back the layers of an onion to figure out exactly what they want. 5 or 6 correspondents later (each taking months), I think I have a good idea of exactly what they want. I've provided them with my treatment records, and my physicians have even provided statements signed on their letterhead "clearing" me in their own words. The latest letter has explained that they want a forensic psychiatric evaluation.. so I'm about to spend ~$1500 on one of those because they're apparently not covered under my (or most) insurance policies.
I'm an avionics technician turned software engineer currently working in defense - and I love the work. I just happen to love flying more. So the goal is to get my medical back and finish training.. so that I can either continue to build hours and get on with a regional - or just save flying for a second "fun" career after I retire from Lockheed. The break from flight training has allowed me to focus on my master's degree in computer science, which is a personal goal, but I sure do miss flying.
Not sure what sort of dialogue I'm looking for here, I just hadn't posted here in ages and figured I'd write about something. I'm in the greater Atlanta area, so I'm considering paying Dr. Faulkner a visit to see if I'm on the right track - or can somehow avoid the hefty forensic evaluation fee. Thoughts?