SODA for Class 1 before I begin flight training

[ahw01]

Do you need the 8500-7 filled out before you see an AME or can an AME hold on to your stuff while you get it filled out after if he wants to defer you?

The ame defers you then you get the 8500, the MFT then issues the original medical if successful

 

[flak]

The ame defers you then you get the 8500, the MFT then issues the original medical if successful

Is there time limit after the defer to get it?

 

[ahw01]

Is there time limit after the defer to get it?

They give you a year.

 

[flak]

They give you a year.

Including getting the 8500-7?

 

[ahw01]

Including getting the 8500-7?

Yes, if you take a whole year then your class 3 only lasts 4 years just as an incentive

 

[flak]

Yes, if you take a whole year then your class 3 only lasts 4 years just as an incentive

Thank you for the help!

 

[FlightSurgeon]

Do you need the 8500-7 filled out before you see an AME or can an AME hold on to your stuff while you get it filled out after if he wants to defer you?

Your AME has 2 weeks in which they can hold on to the examination before releasing it. If you don't pass vision ask your AME to wait until you can provide the 8500-7.

Aaron Florkowski, MD
FAA designated AME
www.kansascityame.com

 

[FlightSurgeon]

Thanks. Do you know if an optometrist can fill out the 8500-7 if she is able to confirm I can correct to 20/20?

An optometrist may fill out your form 8500-7.

Aaron Florkowski, MD
FAA designated AME
www.kansascityame.com

 

[FlightSurgeon]

You could consider a third class medical, with its less restrictive vision requirements,(assuming you could pass) and start your flight training and get your Private license before starting the process to get your First class medical. Then you could train for your instrument rating while waiting for your paperwork to process and use the MFT as an instrument check ride (assuming you meet all the requirements to be eligible for the check ride), at least you would not have to pay for an examiner as MFTs are done by FAA employees.

Note you can fail the Check-Ride and still pass the MFT.

I agree that this is a reasonable strategy. Get a third class medical, train and get your PPL done. Then apply for a first class with form 8500-7 in hand, and once deferred schedule your MFT and get a SODA waiving the vision requirement for a 1st class medical.

Aaron Florkowski, MD
FAA designated AME
www.kansascityame.com

 

[srn121]

This is my proposed plan. Will it work, should I change anything, or am I wrong anywhere? After reading up on SODA, it sounds best for me to put in for a class 1 with an AME as I hope to go commercial one day. My left eye corrects between 20/20 to 20/25 but my right eye can't get past 20/25 ever corrected. Obviously I will fail the vision portion. From here, would me AME forward relevant paperwork to OKC for a deferment and then issue me a restricted certificate that allows only for student pilot operations? Do I have to see any other specialists? And then OKC would later tell me to schedule an MFT with the local FSDO? Can I solo with that restricted certificate? And then would my MFT have to also be my checkride or can my MFT and checkride be separate?

Have you ever looked into wearing contacts? I believe the Focus Night and Day's go down as far as -10 and you can sleep in them too. I've been wearing them for over a decade and have terrible habits, but they're rock solid and I've consistently seen better than 20/20 with them. I believe Bausch and Lomb's Ultras will go down to -12 and I wouldn't be surprised if there was even better out there.