Special Issuance and Class of Medical

Pietrantonio · October 23rd, 2007, 23:35

Just a quick question. When the FAA issues a special issuance, are you only limited to a class III medical? My condition is not serious. I have asthma and a benign Pheochromocytoma which was removed in May 2003. All reports have been normal for quite awhile now. So, I am asking because I want to get a Class I medical, but wasn't sure if the AME and FAA would automatically deny that because of a special issuance.

Thanks doc!

My Flight Surgeon · October 24th, 2007, 01:17

With a few exceptions, Special Issuance is for all classes of medical certificate. The most notable exception is insulin dependent diabetes.

Pietrantonio · October 25th, 2007, 11:22

Hey doc, just spoke to an AME...Dr Nicholson out at the Concord, NC airport (Maybe you've heard of him??), and I told him about the SI I have right now. He was saying that I might have a difficult time trying to get a Class I medical because of this. He had asked me what Class medical I had when I got the SI, and I told him Class III. However, I had the Class III before the FAA decided to make me send in my diagnositc test, etc...

Is this going to make it difficult? The AME said we can do the Class I medical and see what happens. Just hope this doesn't pose a huge problem. I mean, being realistic, I am just as healthy as the other guy, I've just had a few road bumps in the past. Kind of depressing always having to fight with people just to be able to enjoy lifes pleasures.

Thanks doc for your valuable info and help!

My Flight Surgeon · October 25th, 2007, 12:05

You can get a Class 1. They will probably make you submit a pulmonary function test every year and they may have a yearly followup test for the pheochromocytoma. I will be surprised if they allow you to have a SI for Class 3 and not for Class 1 with those problems.

Give it a try and let us know.

Pietrantonio · October 25th, 2007, 21:26

Without a doubt, I'm sure that I will still carry the SI with a class I medical. Sending in the results of the PFT and Pheo yearly is what they are having me do now. I really don't expect anything different. But, I will keep you up-to-date on everything. The earliest I could get an appointment with my Endocrinologist for the Pheo was Decemeber 6th...

but, I will be calling them every monday to see if by some chance there's been a cancellation, and maybe I could fill the spot sooner. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Thanks doc for all the help! Always there when needed!

October 23rd, 2007, 23:35	#1
Pietrantonio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooklyn,NY Posts: 426	Special Issuance and Class of Medical Just a quick question. When the FAA issues a special issuance, are you only limited to a class III medical? My condition is not serious. I have asthma and a benign Pheochromocytoma which was removed in May 2003. All reports have been normal for quite awhile now. So, I am asking because I want to get a Class I medical, but wasn't sure if the AME and FAA would automatically deny that because of a special issuance. Thanks doc!

October 24th, 2007, 01:17	#2
My Flight Surgeon Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,265	Re: Special Issuance and Class of Medical With a few exceptions, Special Issuance is for all classes of medical certificate. The most notable exception is insulin dependent diabetes. __________________ Walter Forred, MD PHX 602-368-5633 www.myflightsurgeon.com

October 25th, 2007, 11:22	#3
Pietrantonio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooklyn,NY Posts: 426	Re: Special Issuance and Class of Medical Hey doc, just spoke to an AME...Dr Nicholson out at the Concord, NC airport (Maybe you've heard of him??), and I told him about the SI I have right now. He was saying that I might have a difficult time trying to get a Class I medical because of this. He had asked me what Class medical I had when I got the SI, and I told him Class III. However, I had the Class III before the FAA decided to make me send in my diagnositc test, etc... Is this going to make it difficult? The AME said we can do the Class I medical and see what happens. Just hope this doesn't pose a huge problem. I mean, being realistic, I am just as healthy as the other guy, I've just had a few road bumps in the past. Kind of depressing always having to fight with people just to be able to enjoy lifes pleasures. Thanks doc for your valuable info and help!

October 25th, 2007, 12:05	#4
My Flight Surgeon Sr. Aviation Medical Examiner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,265	Re: Special Issuance and Class of Medical You can get a Class 1. They will probably make you submit a pulmonary function test every year and they may have a yearly followup test for the pheochromocytoma. I will be surprised if they allow you to have a SI for Class 3 and not for Class 1 with those problems. Give it a try and let us know. __________________ Walter Forred, MD PHX 602-368-5633 www.myflightsurgeon.com

October 25th, 2007, 21:26	#5
Pietrantonio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Brooklyn,NY Posts: 426	Re: Special Issuance and Class of Medical Without a doubt, I'm sure that I will still carry the SI with a class I medical. Sending in the results of the PFT and Pheo yearly is what they are having me do now. I really don't expect anything different. But, I will keep you up-to-date on everything. The earliest I could get an appointment with my Endocrinologist for the Pheo was Decemeber 6th... but, I will be calling them every monday to see if by some chance there's been a cancellation, and maybe I could fill the spot sooner. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks doc for all the help! Always there when needed!

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