The FSDO Examiner Ride for SODA: how it all went down...

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

I've posted here about having to take a ride with a fed to get a SODA for the first class medical, so here's how it all went down...

Initially, scheduled for October 18... cancelled.

Rescheduled October 19... weather bad, cancelled.

Rescheduled October 20... weather bad, cancelled.

Finally, scheduled it for today October 26... weather was perfect.



The examiner showed up, looked over paperwork, and did some prep work for the flight check.

He asked me stuff about me, and as soon as I told him I was an Aerospace engineer, he sounded really excited to hear it and started to ask all sorts of questions. So off to a great start, we were!

Well, long story short, the only inconvenience during the whole flight was a rather rude controller, and this fed let him have it (in a nice manner). Took care of that problem really quick!

We landed, and he said congrats!

He said the only complaint he had for me, was my lack of pulling out the landing checklist before landing the plane. He said that he saw I had done landing checklist from memory, but he said to pull the checklist out and use it anyway.

I agreed.


So anyway, here I am, happy as ever. Now that I have a 1st class medical with the SODA, I can now finally proceed onwards in aviation


Speaking of SODAs, I am getting really thirsty. Coke time!

[CaptChris]

Congrats!!!! A big relief I am sure....what was the SODA for (if you don't mind me asking)?

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by Cherokee_Cruiser

Well, long story short, the only inconvenience during the whole flight was a rather rude controller, and this fed let him have it (in a nice manner). Took care of that problem really quick!

Wait a sec, share the long story.

[Nick]

Yeah I want to hear the story about the rude controller too.

[Cazadores]

Congratulations!

And yeah, you abridged the unabridge-able part!

I believe it is Statement Of Demonstrated Ability....Good work!

[Cazadores]

Originally Posted by Cazadores

Congratulations!

And yeah, you abridged the unabridge-able part!

I believe it is Statement Of Demonstrated Ability....Good work!

OK, you were asking what it was for, not what it was..

[blee256]

CC, Check your PM and get back to me soon

[awacs94]

Anyone care to explain exactly what a SODA is?

[blee256]

i think it stands for Statement of Demonstrated Ability. I dont know exactly how it works, but I think its a wavier/sign off saying that you are eligible for a class 1 ,2 , or 3 medical even though you may have some limitation. I.e glass eye or something. CC, should be able to give you a better answer.

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Whoa, a lot to respond to.



A SODA, like Blee said, stands for a Statement of Demonstrated Ability.

I dont know exactly how it works, but I think its a wavier/sign off saying that you are eligible for a class 1 ,2 , or 3 medical even though you may have some limitation. I.e glass eye or something. CC, should be able to give you a better answer.

It works like this. For some reason, say you don't meet the normal requirements for [any class] medical certificate. The FAA/CAMI docs in Oklahoma City will review your eye evaluation form (FAA form 8500-7).

After reviewing it, they will tell you if the feel you can be given a special issuance of the medical, under part 67.401

So, until you take a medical fight test with a FSDO examiner (to get the SODA), you will have some kinda restriction put on you.

For me, I got a 1st class medical but it said, "Valid only for student pilot purposes" as a restriction.

That was the FAA's way of saying that I cannot fly alone, and I cannot log PIC time.


To get it removed, I had to take this medical fight test to get a SODA for my condition.


A SODA is applicable to whatever class you're going for. I'm first class medical, so that's what I went for.

Keep in mind, if you have a 3rd class medical, and get a SODA for that 3rd class medical, then you will have to another flight check with a first class medical to get a SODA for that first class medical.

Me, since I have now a first class medical SODA, I don't have to do anything special, since first class is the highest class there is.





So what is the SODA itself?


It's a piece of paper about the same exact size, and layout, as your medical certificate.


Now, my medical certificate does NOT have ANYTHING written on it about me having a SODA.


BUT, you MUST keep the SODA with your medical certificate, and both go hand-in-hand to form your medical.



This is what my SODA says:

going from top to bottom

*********************************************

United States of America
Dept of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration

STATEMENT OF DEMONSTRATED ABILITY

This form cannot be used in lieu of a medical certificate; it should be attached to your medical certificate.

[Section that has Airman's name and address]

Class of Medical Certificate Authorized: FIRST


Waiver Serial Number: XXXXXXXX (this is my SODA serial number)

Limitations: Must wear corrective lenses


Physical Defects: DIPLOPIA ON EXTREME LATERAL GAZE


Basis of Issuance: Special Flight Test , MFT


FOR THE FEDERAL AIR SURGEON

Date
Name and Title
Signature

**********************************************


Hope that helps you guys.

Notes:

"For the Federal Air Surgeon" section is the info for the FAA doc in Oklahoma who handled my case.

The limitations section (must wear corrective lenses) is exactly copied from your limitations section on your medical certificate.


Now, you've been waiting for this, LOL, sorry.


What is wrong with me?


The condition is called "Left IV Cranial Nerve Palsy"

The effect of it, is diplopia (double vision) on extreme lateral gaze to the right.

That means, while keeping my head straight and looking forward, if I turn my eyes only (gaze my eyes) to the right, they go in different directions, and I see double.

So, the SODA lists the defect as: "Diplopia on Extreme Lateral Gaze"


But again, my condition name is "Left IV Cranial Nerve Palsy" ...


Next time on my medical application, I need to put "Left IV Cranial Nerve Palsy - No Change" and list my SODA serial number in the appropriate box.





So that's the story of a SODA.


Let me know if there are any more questions!

[Vladimir Lenin]

that's an awesome wright up!

how did they figure out you're seeing double while gazing?

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Nick

Yeah I want to hear the story about the rude controller too.

First time through the traffic pattern, making closed traffic, I'm abeam the numbers so I make a call to see if I'm cleared for the option.


I say, Cessna XXXXX, abeam the numbers, sir, are we cleared for the option?


He goes something along the lines of sure, Cessna XXXXX what is your request ?

I say, Cessna XXXXX request option 34R.


He goes not kidding, exact words, "Well what do you want, that can mean 5 different things! Do you want a touch and go? Do you want a full stop?


[that was said in a VERY mean tone!]


This is when the fed took over the radio from me.


and he goes sternly (but nicely) something along the lines of... "Cessna XXXXX Requesting the option, we'll choose touch and go."

the controller, "Cessna XXXXX cleared touch and go."

It was more so the controllers attitude then anything. He was rude the whole time.

But the fed let me handle him. I *always* replied back to the controller with respect, and 'sir' and saying thank you once in a while when I was cleared for a touch and go.


The fed mentioned to me that you are really nice even under pressure, and that he was impressed.

After the last landing, the controller handed me over to ground, and although he never said anything, the tone of his voice was kind of apologetic.

The fed said, see that? it's his way of acknowleding that you were professional and courteous, even if he [the controller] wasn't.


So that's pretty much it.

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Vladimir Lenin

that's an awesome wright up!

how did they figure out you're seeing double while gazing?

Not hard... when one eyeball is looking one way, and the other eyeball is looking another way... then by common sense, you must be seeing double (as in two sets of images as opposed to a single fused image).


Anytime your eyeballs are not aligned conjugately, and one eyeball looks in one direction while the other one looks in another direction, then you will see double.


Double doesn't mean you see the same thing twice, LOL, it means you have two different sets of images, when a normal person should be able to see one whole image from both eyes. This double is due to each eyeball pointing in different directions, when they arent supposed to do that.

[riot shields]

how long after you were denied a medical (if you were) or whenever you found out you had to obtain a soda did it take to talk to the fsdo, etc, then go on your flight?
i do pretty horrible on my phoria test during the medical and i don't exactly "pass" the test (so i thought), but i somehow get away with getting my medical. well an optometrist wrote a letter for me stating my phoria numbers were rather high but i don't have diplopia. but i was told i should get a letter from an opthamologist, so im hoping that he too will determin i do not have diplopia, otherwise i guess i'll be in the same boat.

congrats, i know how frustrating the medical stuff can be.

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by riot shields

how long after you were denied a medical (if you were) or whenever you found out you had to obtain a soda did it take to talk to the fsdo, etc, then go on your flight?

Never denied a medical.

Cause I decided to be smart about it.

IF I had gone straight to the AME to get a medical, I WOULD have been deferred !


SO, I decided to be smart about it.

My first class medical was issued June 2003, and I kept this all the way through its 3rd classe priviledges which expired June 2006.


So in May, I asked my AME to help me out, what should I do?


As luck would have it, he's good friends with the main FAA doc in Oklahoma.


They said first, get the FAA eye evaluation form in.

I did.

They reviewed it, and then officially sent me the letter saying I was valid to get another first class medical, but that I will have a restriction "Vaild for student pilot purposes only"


So that letter basically told the AME, yeah this guy has this problem, but issue him a 1st class (assuming he passes other standards for the 1st class), and then put this restriction on his medical when you Mr. AME type it up.

And to remove that restriction, I must take the medical flight check test and get the SODA that way.

That was June 20 or so I got the letter.

Went in July 3 with this letter (which gave pemission to be issued a 1st class medical with the restrcition of "Vaild for student pilot purposes only")


Got the 1st class medical with that restriction on it July 3.


Now, my mistake... I sat on my butt, thinking the FAA will automatically send me a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to take the medical fight exam.

NOPE!!! YOU MUST send in a WRITTEN request to get the LOA.


I didn't know that. So that cost me a month, since I was just sittin pretty thinking the LOA was coming.


So 1st week of August, I send out the written request to Oklahoma for the medical flight test.

Finally got it towards end of August.

I then decided to, for my own sake, practice for this flight exam, so I took a few flights with my instructor (through September).

And in September, I got in touch with the FSDO examiners to schedule. I was cancelled left and right for weather (as explained in initial post), and FINALLY got it all set and done for today.


So for me, June 20th or so unti today October 26, I could not log PIC time. OF course I could still fly, with an instructor, just log dual received time.


I could EASILY have shaved off at least one month, if not more, had I known I HAVE to send a written request to the FAA to get the LOA to take the medical flight test.

i do pretty horrible on my phoria test during the medical and i don't exactly "pass" the test (so i thought), but i somehow get away with getting my medical. well an optometrist wrote a letter for me stating my phoria numbers were rather high but i don't have diplopia. but i was told i should get a letter from an opthamologist, so im hoping that he too will determin i do not have diplopia, otherwise i guess i'll be in the same boat.

congrats, i know how frustrating the medical stuff can be.

The phoria limits is exactly what I exceed, and by huge amounts in lateral right gaze.

I say find out FIRST if you should turn in an FAA eye evaluation form to Oklahoma docs, and go from there like I did. [the bold portion of your post]



So do that.


Cause if you randomly show up at the AME, and fail the phorias, music note eye test in the box machine, etc, you'll get deferred.

And that's not good. That could push you off for a MINIMUM of 6 months.

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by blee256

CC, Check your PM and get back to me soon

Done.

Thanks very much!

[Vladimir Lenin]

Wow!
Is there anything that can be done about this, medically? Is this just a muscle control issue or something else?

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Vladimir Lenin

Wow!
Is there anything that can be done about this, medically? Is this just a muscle control issue or something else?

Surgery.


But one procedure being enough: 15% chance. So 85% that more than one procedure would be required.

Why?

Because even right now in straight gaze looking-straight-ahead-normal vision, I have some imbalance in my left eye muscle, but it's compensated for... they body developed the ability to fuse the difference in the muscle imbalance.

The surgery requires cutting, and essentially weakening the inferior oblique muslce in my left eye.

That could (85% chance) disturb the rest of the equilibrium in my eyes, and require more than one procedure.



My attitude on this kind of eye surgery is 'last resort.' So as long as I can have a SODA, I won't get surgery. It's way too risky.



And FYI, the SODA is permanent, it doesn't expire. It's good so as long as there is no change in your condition.















BTW,

It's not like a lazy eye problem or something that can be fixed with 'eye muscle exercises.' It's a nerve palsy, that is entirely different. The left fourth cranial nerve palsy.


This is my actual condition, for those wondering:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congeni...th_nerve_palsy

[Vladimir Lenin]

Nice job handling the feds. Good luck in your career!

(btw, i hate 5 am show times, especially when it's 40 degrees outside)