Dusting off my pilot's log.

[chippy]

Hi everyone. I'm back. Well, I've never been on this forum before, but I'm looking to get back in the air after 25 years away from GA. I won't go into the details about why, but suffice it to say that the wheels were set in motion to exit aviation years before I got my PPL in '96. A culmination of contributing factors resulted in my last flight in a SE recip around 2002. I was exposed to flying around the age of 7. My dad owned a Cub and many hours were spent at the tiny farm sod strip hanging in the lounge, loading up on sugary drinks.

Now at 61, it suddenly occurred to me that flying is perhaps the only real passion I've ever had in my life and none of the reasons for leaving it were particularly good ones. While I regret not having all that money spent on dozens of "hundred dollar hamburgers" (or are they $300 hamburgers now?), I am at a nexus in life where I can see a clear path to flying again. However, I am feeling a bit anxious about getting a medical. Otherwise, it's blue skies baby!

Looking forward to getting to know y'all. Maybe our flight plans will cross sometime and I can buy you a cup of coffee.

 

[Daleandee]

Go with Light Sport. No medical required as a valid driver's license is all that's needed. With MOSAIC set for release in spring of next year the privileges for sport pilots gets better. Still limited to one passenger though.

But not having to deal with the FAA medical process, if you have serious doubts, could be worth the trade offs.

YMMV ...

 

[dfw11411]

I also started flying later in life. My initial thought was LSA because of the medical, but the reality was that there were no LSA rentals in my area and no flight school would teach it. I spent an extra 6 months getting my 3rd class medical approved, but invested in additional training during the waiting period. I'd suggest you speak with some local CFIs about Daleandee's advice. No sure if getting an AME to informally review your medical history is possible but might resolve some of your anxiety. Otherwise I wish you the best and will collect on that coffee when I'm in Nashville.

 

[midlifeflyer]

However, I am feeling a bit anxious about getting a medical.

A number have mentioned light sport as an option, but there is another one to explore.

If you are 61 now, 25 years ago you were 36. Depending on when it was issued, your medical certificate may have still been valid in July 2006. Time to check that. Unless you happen to have "gained" one of the mental health, neurological, or cardiac issues since your last FAA medical, that would make you eligible for BasicMed where your medical clearance can be in the hands of your own physician rather than the FAA, with very few limitations on what you can do as a domestic private pilot.

I'm absolutely convinced aviation has a hive mind. I literally had a discussion about this with a rusty pilot yesterday.

 

[Jim K]

Welcome!

 

[William Pete Hodges]

Hi everyone. I'm back. Well, I've never been on this forum before, but I'm looking to get back in the air after 25 years away from GA. I won't go into the details about why, but suffice it to say that the wheels were set in motion to exit aviation years before I got my PPL in '96. A culmination of contributing factors resulted in my last flight in a SE recip around 2002. I was exposed to flying around the age of 7. My dad owned a Cub and many hours were spent at the tiny farm sod strip hanging in the lounge, loading up on sugary drinks.

Now at 61, it suddenly occurred to me that flying is perhaps the only real passion I've ever had in my life and none of the reasons for leaving it were particularly good ones. While I regret not having all that money spent on dozens of "hundred dollar hamburgers" (or are they $300 hamburgers now?), I am at a nexus in life where I can see a clear path to flying again. However, I am feeling a bit anxious about getting a medical. Otherwise, it's blue skies baby!

Looking forward to getting to know y'all. Maybe our flight plans will cross sometime and I can buy you a cup of coffee.

If you can, I'd go with basic med. You will be able to fly all the common GA 4-seaters like Cessna, Piper, Mooney, Maule, Navion, etc, which means you will not be restricted to the light aircraft groups. There are a lot of planes available to choose from to suit your needs better.

I get leaving GA only to come back years later with a fresh perspective. I did the same thing. Came back in 2004 after 22 years. I had a new focus and a good use for an airplane. I love flying and it is one thing that I truly enjoy.

 

[midlifeflyer]

You will be able to fly all the common GA 4-seaters like Cessna, Piper, Mooney, Maule, Navion, etc,

Much more than than with the recent BasicMed update.

Now up to 7 seats with 6 passengers in aircraft with up to 12,500 MGTOW. Still have to keep out of the flight levels and stay below 250 KTS though (which probably won't affect too many).

 

[chippy]

Depending on when it was issued, your medical certificate may have still been valid in July 2006. Time to check that. Unless you happen to have "gained" one of the mental health, neurological, or cardiac issues since your last FAA medical, that would make you eligible for BasicMed where your medical clearance can be in the hands of your own physician rather than the FAA, with very few limitations on what you can do as a domestic private pilot.

I only just learned of this yesterday when I decided to venture into the local flight school. The "anxious" part for me enters into it due to the subjectivity of what constitutes "mental health" issue. Seriously, "depression" has a layperson definition. It means something entirely different in a clinical sense. Even in the clinical sense, a therapist can't distinguish quantitatively between sadness due to the loss of a spouse going on "too long," and noose-around-your neck suicidal. Both are commonly rubber stamped with Major Depressive Disorder and it only takes one therapist's opinion to defer or disqualify. I understand and appreciate the abundance of caution the FAA exercises, but it doesn't make it any less scary. I'm sure we all know pilots that "should be" seeing a therapist, but won't for fear of losing that one thing in their life that gives it meaning. Ultimately, we are relied on to self-monitor and behave responsibly. It's the proverbial catch 22. The ones who do the responsible thing and seek help are the ones who are punished. The ones who don't are free to fly into buildings. That probably sounds more like a gripe than it's meant to be. I see it as a problem but I can't imagine a solution.

I have had justifiable cause to be "sad" and talked into taking SSRIs by a well-meaning GP for a short time (many years ago). I don't think it should be an issue. I know it won't affect my flying, but the FAA is the final authority. I'm actually glad it's their job and not mine. None of y'all'd be flyin'. Just kidding!

 

[midlifeflyer]

The "anxious" part for me enters into it due to the subjectivity of what constitutes "mental health" issue.

I'm going to kick in my don't listen to SGOTI, including me disclaimer. There are folks here who have a lot more knowledge on the subject than I do. And you probably shouldn't be talking about it openly on social media. But FWIW...

Here's the language of the regulation which specifies the types of mental health issues which require a one-time Special Issuance before proceeding to BasicMed:

(1) A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of--​

(i) A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;​

(ii) A psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual--​

(A) Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or​

(B) May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis;​

(iii) A bipolar disorder; or​

(iv) A substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in § 67.307(a)(4) of this chapter.​

It is still subject to some interpretation but it leaves a lot of wiggle room for personal physician discretion. Notice that the "personality disorder," the family to which situational depression belongs, is looking for manifestation by repeated over acts, not merely "my mom died and I couldn't leave the house for a month."

Perhaps of more significance, there are a few discussions here on the FAA recently loosening its official attitude on depression. So one could always arrange for a consult with a senior AME even if just to determine whether your situation would satisfy the requirements for a Special Issuance, or whether you would need one at all.

Real point is, there is professional help available to help with your decision.

 

[Initial Fix]

Welcome!

You might consider scheduling just a consult with an FAA AME. They can walk you through your questions.

 

[chippy]

(1) A mental health disorder, limited to an established medical history or clinical diagnosis of--​

(i) A personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts;​

(ii) A psychosis, defined as a case in which an individual--​

(A) Has manifested delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis; or​

(B) May reasonably be expected to manifest delusions, hallucinations, grossly bizarre or disorganized behavior, or other commonly accepted symptoms of psychosis;​

(iii) A bipolar disorder; or​

(iv) A substance dependence within the previous 2 years, as defined in § 67.307(a)(4) of this chapter.​

It is still subject to some interpretation but it leaves a lot of wiggle room for personal physician discretion. Notice that the "personality disorder," the family to which situational depression belongs, is looking for manifestation by repeated over acts, not merely "my mom died and I couldn't leave the house for a month."

Perhaps of more significance, there are a few discussions here on the FAA recently loosening its official attitude on depression. So one could always arrange for a consult with a senior AME even if just to determine whether your situation would satisfy the requirements for a Special Issuance, or whether you would need one at all.

Real point is, there is professional help available to help with your decision.

Fortunately nothing quite so debilitating, for me. Thanks to this forum, I found Dr. Bruce. We have initiated correspondence. I have requested his guidance/assistance and hope he agrees to take my case. He just emailed me. He had to decline my request but left the door open for the future.

 

[chippy]

If you are 61 now, 25 years ago you were 36. Depending on when it was issued, your medical certificate may have still been valid in July 2006. Time to check that. Unless you happen to have "gained" one of the mental health, neurological, or cardiac issues since your last FAA medical, that would make you eligible for BasicMed where your medical clearance can be in the hands of your own physician rather than the FAA, with very few limitations on what you can do as a domestic private pilot.

I'm absolutely convinced aviation has a hive mind. I literally had a discussion about this with a rusty pilot yesterday.

I looked into this a bit more. It sounds like it might have been a reasonable option. I can't find any record of past medical certificates. Is there an online portal where I can retrieve that info? I'm not finding it on medxpress or do I have to snail mail to the FAA? I'm going to guess I didn't have a valid MC in 2006. The last entry in my logbook was for a FR mid-2000. I'm embarrassed to say I can't find all my logs. There was a period there where I didn't fly regularly because my Bonanza had been out of service due to hurricane damage, ruddervator and paint-job. Then another $8,000 annual further demoralized me and I sold it. My best guess is that I got my first medical in 96 and probably remember it wrong but I thought it had to be renewed biannually. When did it get changed to 5 years? Could I have misremembered that? While there's a remote chance I got it in 2001, I can't recall flying that year. I was still hanging out at the airport with friends when the 911 grounding happened. I can't forget it because the FBI was pouring over the logs of one of the AC I used to rent. One of the terrorists had trained in it too.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I looked into this a bit more. It sounds like it might have been a reasonable option. I can't find any record of past medical certificates

Try looking yourself up in the online pilot database. It typically includes the date of your last medical. If it’s not there you can get your full pilot records through this site. If you are in the sweet spot, you may want to do it anyway so you have a copy,

 

[chippy]

Try looking yourself up in the online pilot database. It typically includes the date of your last medical. If it’s not there you can get your full pilot records through this site. If you are in the sweet spot, you may want to do it anyway so you have a copy,

Thanks! It's been a long time. They didn't have that tech the last time I flew. When I first soloed I don't think anyone had even thought to put an electrical system in planes. Unfortunately, my last medical was 1998, two years after my first. Oh well. Even if I don't get re-certified, I'm glad to know I am "proficient at English." That's something.

 

[Racerx]

You've got your logbook from 25 years ago? Bravo. I can't find my truck keys I had 25 minutes ago

 

[chippy]

You've got your logbook from 25 years ago? Bravo. I can't find my truck keys I had 25 minutes ago

How do you think I found my log book? I was lookin' for my truck keys!

 

[Gilbert Buettner]

My best guess is that I got my first medical in 96 and probably remember it wrong but I thought it had to be renewed biannually. When did it get changed to 5 years? Could I have misremembered that?

If your last FAA medical exam was before you turned 40, that one would be good for 60 months. After age 40 they are valid for 24 months.

 

[frfly172]

Welcome to the group

 

[Initial Fix]

How do you think I found my log book? I was lookin' for my truck keys!

You are going to fit right in around here

Hope the doc can help and you’ll be able to get through the process.

 

[luvflyin]

Hi everyone. I'm back. Well, I've never been on this forum before, but I'm looking to get back in the air after 25 years away from GA. I won't go into the details about why, but suffice it to say that the wheels were set in motion to exit aviation years before I got my PPL in '96. A culmination of contributing factors resulted in my last flight in a SE recip around 2002. I was exposed to flying around the age of 7. My dad owned a Cub and many hours were spent at the tiny farm sod strip hanging in the lounge, loading up on sugary drinks.

Now at 61, it suddenly occurred to me that flying is perhaps the only real passion I've ever had in my life and none of the reasons for leaving it were particularly good ones. While I regret not having all that money spent on dozens of "hundred dollar hamburgers" (or are they $300 hamburgers now?), I am at a nexus in life where I can see a clear path to flying again. However, I am feeling a bit anxious about getting a medical. Otherwise, it's blue skies baby!

Looking forward to getting to know y'all. Maybe our flight plans will cross sometime and I can buy you a cup of coffee.

Welcome to the joint.

 

[chippy]

Welcome to the group

Thanks. I just noticed where you are. I'm looking for real estate in your neck of the woods. If I manage to get my medical reissued, I could use some advice on local instructors to get my IR.