AME recs for 15yr old with history of anxiety

M

MAltiparmak

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Any recommendations for a good AME in the Birmingham, AL area? (I'd also be happy to drive out of state if that's what it takes!)

My son is almost 15, has been flying for a year, and hopes to solo at 16. I'm concerned that his history of anxiety (about age 10-12) might cause issues when it comes to getting a medical certificate. As a parent, I'd like to know now if he's eligible to pass a medical (eventually 1st class) so I don't spend the next year paying for flight lessons that will get him no where.

I'm concerned the AME won't take him seriously because he is so young.
 
Any medications for that anxiety?

Many kids aim to solo at 16, it isn't all that unusual.
 
Yes, anxiety medication in the past but nothing in the last three years. Not sure if we need to go see another psychiatrist (the place we went closed) before we get the medical exam. Does it help to provide any documentation up front to the AME? I got mixed messages when I called AOPA about this issue. I'm wondering if he should go for 1st class medical to really find out if is goal of transport pilot is doable?
 
I think your best bet is to hire Dr. Bruce Chien to guide you through the process. He knows what the FAA needs to see, and is skilled at assessing your chances of success. His fees are quite reasonable, IMO.

http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/
 
Here are the differences in the classes:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/standards/

Main differences: vision and an ECG. Since vision and health change all the time, there's no telling if he can pass those requirements now and not later.

There is plenty of flying to be done, even without a class 1.

The big deal right now is the anxiety. What was the diagnosis, what medication, ... You can call an AME and schedule a consult.

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/
 
Matthew said:
and schedule a consult
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Big emphasis on Consult. Which is way different than an exam.

Consult is just reviewing the case and obtaining the AME's input without ANYthing going to the FAA. Therefore, there is no jeopardy of a denial.

An Exam, when it goes live, can only end in an issuance of the medical, or denial. And denial means your flying days are done and over. Often many denials are because the applying airman had disqualifying issues in their history and did not properly prepare for the exam (including all appropriate and complete documents from the treating physicians, surgeons, phychiatrists, and so forth)
 
Note: The medical form is all on-line now. If you fill it out and take it to an AME for a consult, make SURE the AME understands it's a consult, and make SURE you don't give the AME the activation code that's on that form. If the AME enters that number into the system, the medical exam is "live" and that's not what you want until you are sure your son will pass.

Edit: I see that Mike made the same comments at the same time I did.
 
Consult with a very good AME first, before filling out ANY forms. I can personally recommend Dr. Bruce Chien. He understands the process better than just about anyone, and his fee is a pittance if you are considering anything aviation related.

I found it well worth the effort, since I would certainly have been denied otherwise. It took time, documentation, and $$$ but I got my medical. At the very least give him a call/email first before anything else.

As to the class, I would say since he is 15 a 3rd class for now would be most appropriate (and probably easier to obtain) but again consult with Dr. B. to see if the future of a 1st class is do-able.

I would be happy to offer more information if you would like to contact me directly. jbrinker at syr dot edu for email.
 
Thanks for the info. Yes, I think a consult would be helpful. I've tried calling the few AME's we have around here and I can't get much information and was even told that we didn't need to drive there (2hrs away) just for a consult! Really?? So it seems common that pilots travel to see an AME rather than picking someone locally?? That's what we are willing to do. We have read the examiner's guide front to back and understand this isn't an easy process.

Any recommendations on whether we should start with a first class or third class?
 
MAltiparmak said:
Any recommendations on whether we should start with a first class or third class?
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Third... definitely..... especially for the initial training....

First gains you no real benefit at this time.
 
MAltiparmak said:
I've tried calling the few AME's we have around here and I can't get much information and was even told that we didn't need to drive there (2hrs away) just for a consult!
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==ahem== Dr. Bruce Chien.... Peoria, IL.... www.aeromedicaldoc.com

One of four AME's who created the SSRI special issuance protocol. As said many times on this board, he knows his craft and is one of the best choices to manage a case such as this.

@bbchien
 
Thanks. Yes, after reading all the post on forum it looks like Dr. Chein is the only way to go. We need to get it done right the first time.
 
If an airman fills out the 8500-8 applying for a First Class medical, but something is found during the AME Exam that prevents a First Class issuance, can the AME/airman downgrade the application to a lower class without penalty or denial jeopardy and allow the airman to walk out with the lower class medical??
 
MAltiparmak said:
Do you see Dr. Chein as well? Just curious as we are also in Alabama.
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Aviation headset: $350
Flying lessons for your teenager: $8,500
Round trip economy airline tickets for two from Alabama to Peoria: $900
Visiting with Dr. Bruce Chien in person so you know if your kid can acheive his dream of a career in aviation: PRICELESS

But honestly, Dr. Chien has been through this more than enough times to know the right questions to ask during a phone call or email exchange. And he can provide you with the punch list of what docs need to be seen, what documentation needs to be gotten from them, and what that documentation needs to say. And if a visit to a specialist is on the agenda, who in your region is the right doc who is also known to the FAA (eg. the agency will accept his testimony with little question) and what type of exam needs to be done.

When it comes time to have the official exam done, then going to Peoria can be worth it. The way Dr. Chien works is that he makes sure all of the correct homework is done BEFORE the exam happens and the info submitted to the FAA, and he knows that the chances of acceptance are very high.

Too many other AME's just get the bare minimum, defer to the FAA, and "spin the random wheel" of acceptance.
 
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AggieMike88 said:
If an airman fills out the 8500-8 applying for a First Class medical, but something is found during the AME Exam that prevents a First Class issuance, can the AME/airman downgrade the application to a lower class without penalty or denial jeopardy and allow the airman to walk out with the lower class medical??
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure there was on older thread on here or the blue board that discussed this, and the answer was "no". Basically decided what you are going for ahead of time, and be SURE you will not be denied.

For the OP: Just FYI I live in NY, and did 99% of my work for the medical with Dr. B. via fax/email/phone. I did have to visit a HIMS AME for psych consult (which your son may have to do as well) and Dr. B. hooked me up with one of the best there too. All told I did fly to Peoria to have Dr. B. do the actual exam at the end - but all the "work" is done ahead of time. Start the process by contacting him, and go from there. It can take 6 months or more to complete.

Also, at the end, IF your son is granted a regular medical (not Special Issuance) he may be able to simply see a local AME for his renewals. When/if it comes time to upgrade to 2nd or 1st class, I'd give Dr. B. a call again and go from there.
 
I appreciate all the great information. I will be contacting Dr. Chein for sure and we will talk to him about which class medical he should start with if the ultimate goal is first class.
 
MAltiparmak said:
I appreciate all the great information. I will be contacting Dr. Chein for sure and we will talk to him about which class medical he should start with if the ultimate goal is first class.
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Per part 67, the only difference between 3rd class and 2nd class is vision:

3rd class: Distant visual acuity of 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.
2nd & 1st class: Distant visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye separately, with or without corrective lenses.

Also, the only difference between a 1st and 2nd is the requirement for an ECG at age 35.
 
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