Cleared medical finally

Posted by countextreme@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 11 comments

X-post from FAAHIMS. * Filled out application in January. Saw my AME in late February. * AME saw I had written ADHD on application. I had no idea what I was getting into when I wrote that. AME wrote as much detail as he could explaining diagnosis was 30+ years ago and I had not been treated since I was a child and deferred. * FAA sends request for more information including all physician / medical records, personal statement, etc. No records are available - pediatrician's records were lost in an office fire 20+ years ago, academic records no longer retained, psychiatrist had retired and was no longer contactable, etc etc. Also requests CPAP data for sleep apnea. * Send requested info to FAA. Wait 6+ months. * New ADHD Fast Track guidance is released. A few days later, additional correspondence is mailed from the FAA with a packet of Fast Track paperwork to fill out, including a (non-HIMS) PhD psychologist evaluation. * Manage to pull some strings to get an appointment with a psychologist about 3 weeks later. Undergo 4 hours of testing I wouldn't wish on my enemies. Surprise surprise, doctor says I don't actually have ADHD. * Send completed Fast Track packet to my AME who then uploads to FAA. Prepare for months of waiting. * To my great surprise, 48 hours later, MedXPress has flipped to Completed and advised me that my 3rd class medical has been issued and is in the mail. It's a SI that expires early next year, presumably because they want to continue to monitor my CPAP compliance data. All in all, about 9-10 months from AME visit to third class medical. If I had know the Fast Track guidance was coming, I would have been better off just waiting so I could walk out of the AME's office with my medical in hand. I hope this helps someone that's going through a similar process right now.