Thanks, I'm well aware that that's the easy answer to my dilemma. However, it doesn't seem to be a practical answer based on where I live (Providence, R.I. area). A search of sport pilot training in the area turns up only lessons in ultralight or experimental aircraft, which I'm not interested in.
Dr. Bruce, I will be e-mailing you soon concerning my situation. I guess I'm just looking for an answer as to whether I should even both seeking a third-class medical. If not, I'm prepared to accept that. Starting flying lessons recently was a lifelong dream for me. Like probably most of you, I've always been fascinated by flight. Nearly every lesson I've had so far has been a joy, and I'll always remember them fondly. But I'm not in this to make a living, or even to prove a point. I simply enjoy the beauty of this earth from the air. If the answer I receive is no, that I shouldn't even bother trying for a third-class medical, I could probably even be happy being a dual-instruction student for the rest of my life, assuming my flight school would permit such an arrangement. If even that's not possible, then I will just cherish the memories I have and move on. As someone wrote in another thread, "embrace the suck." I did it, I own it.
And now if I may vent a little before I go ... I'm not sure which of my transgressions is worse from the FAA's perspective, my arrest or seeking therapy for anxiety. If it is the therapy, I feel sorry for the future of GA. How many pilots out there are hiding medical problems because they fear they will be grounded? Truth is, when I expressed my medical-exam fears to my first flight school, I was encouraged to lie! Yes, I was actually told that "the FAA doesn't need to know about that stuff. It was over three years ago." I may have been a jerk in my earlier life, and had problems in my later life, but one thing I've never been is a liar. I ran, not walked, to another flight school. After all, if a flight school would encourage new student pilots to lie to the FAA, what might they be hiding? Perhaps they find it just as easy to lie about maintenance, or instructor qualifications. I wanted no part of that operation.
Anyway, thanks for listening, and I wish all of you many years of safe and happy flying!
