FAA delays

[Ericb54]

I submitted my biannual 3rd class medical plus all my SI paperwork the first week of November. Mine expired 11/30/21. Previous annual SI submittals have gone smoothly and usually 1 month. I've been doing SIs for 5 years now.
I've called the FAA office in ATL and they confirmed all paperwork received, no more required. They indicated it's waiting physician review. Hearing 3 to 4 months delay now from Aopa.

 

[NightSkyReader]

If it’s 3-4 months then they’ve picked up the pace. Was 5-6 in the Fall.

 

[Clip4]

The FAA is trying to tell you to go Basic Med.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

There needs to be a "if we don't get it sorted in 90 days, you are good to go" rule, like they have for NICS.

 

[Anon]

More disheartening news to read about your experience.

I was deferred for my initial 3rd class in April 2021. Have been awaiting SI decision now since 5th of December after completing all that was requested along the way.

I have called OKC and RFS with all any of them saying is that there is a ‘really long wait’. AOPA also unhelpful in constructive information.

 

[Principal]

More disheartening news to read about your experience.

I was deferred for my initial 3rd class in April 2021. Have been awaiting SI decision now since 5th of December after completing all that was requested along the way.

I have called OKC and RFS with all any of them saying is that there is a ‘really long wait’. AOPA also unhelpful in constructive information.

AOPA has not been helpful at all when it comes to their medical certification helpline. You ask them a question and they toss their hands in the air.

Most people from what I've been reading usually wait 6 months for an decision. Frustrating, I know, but you might as well prepare yourself to wait a long ass time.

 

[Magman]

When applying for SI there was an unexplained delay of months, I had a Bud check AeroMed folks at Oshkosh . Turns out AME never sent package in as he stated he would.


Check at Sun n fun?

 

[Principal]

***For the admins

Can we get a sticky on this topic so people can update on this topic? There is multiple threads on this and the AME’s on the this forum are suggesting no end in sight for delays.

 

[ahmad]

Waiting on a decision for my SI too. Submitted everything beginning of Oct. More info requested from me a week later. Submitted the rest mid Oct. I haven't gotten anything since. They are very backed up unfortunately.

 

[Principal]

So tired of waiting.......

Anyone get their medical recently after waiting more than 5 months?

 

[BladeSlap]

There needs to be a "if we don't get it sorted in 90 days, you are good to go" rule, like they have for NICS.

That, it’s also though who yell the loudest about others being accountable and responsible for their actions, that show the least amount of accountability or ownership.

Was this SI for a real medical condition, or one of the FAA made up, or “administrative diagnosed”, ones?

 

[Jeff Oslick]

Once again, to everyone waiting in the FAA Medical line, CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OFFICE! Tell them that you have submitted everything the FAA has requested and are still waiting MANY months to hear back. Tell them there are MANY other pilots also stuck in this quagmire of incompetence.

The true tell in all of this is that the FAA ultimately issues virtually all of these SIs that take them months, sometimes over a year, to approve. They seem incapable of developing a reasonably quick screening method to actually sort the true marginal cases from the ones that they just want their pound of flesh from before issuing. If they are truly this understaffed, they could just issue more guidance for many of these cases to be judged by AMEs to issue with additional information, as they have already done for several things that used to be SIs.

The only way for this to get solved is another shove from Congress. The most straightforward way to do this is to eliminate the "Class 3 first" requirement for BasicMed. We now have people on BasicMed whose last Class 3 is over 15 years ago, which demonstrates that it is completely irrelevant for providing an additional level of safety.

 

[Principal]

Started out as not having any conditions, to being Dx’d during my application process due to my AME chasing his hunch about what I had.

Bad luck is what I got :-//

 

[BladeSlap]

Once again, to everyone waiting in the FAA Medical line, CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OFFICE! Tell them that you have submitted everything the FAA has requested and are still waiting MANY months to hear back. Tell them there are MANY other pilots also stuck in this quagmire of incompetence.

The true tell in all of this is that the FAA ultimately issues virtually all of these SIs that take them months, sometimes over a year, to approve. They seem incapable of developing a reasonably quick screening method to actually sort the true marginal cases from the ones that they just want their pound of flesh from before issuing. If they are truly this understaffed, they could just issue more guidance for many of these cases to be judged by AMEs to issue with additional information, as they have already done for several things that used to be SIs.

The only way for this to get solved is another shove from Congress. The most straightforward way to do this is to eliminate the "Class 3 first" requirement for BasicMed. We now have people on BasicMed whose last Class 3 is over 15 years ago, which demonstrates that it is completely irrelevant for providing an additional level of safety.

Why limit to 3rd class, just remove FAA “medical” and have any state licensed doctor sign off, all the DOT workers need to do is keep a database that it was done and when it’s due to be renewed.

 

[Daleandee]

Once again, to everyone waiting in the FAA Medical line, CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES OFFICE! Tell them that you have submitted everything the FAA has requested and are still waiting MANY months to hear back. Tell them there are MANY other pilots also stuck in this quagmire of incompetence.

I agree.

While the I'm not affected by the medical nightmare process (sport pilot) I do empathize with my aviation friends that do. I believe the only way to fix this will be when those that are hanging in limbo get together and start making some serious noise.

Perhaps they (we) could get AOPA & EAA to assist in this matter (of course they will say they already are). In reality this dysfunctional government has much larger fish to fry at this particular moment so I don't see this getting fixed. But I also agree that there needs to be an exception that offers relief to those caught in this quagmire the government has created.

My thoughts from an earlier post:
https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/com...ical-si-initial-decision.135376/#post-3177801

 

[BladeSlap]

Started out as not having any conditions, to being Dx’d during my application process due to my AME chasing his hunch about what I had.

Bad luck is what I got :-//

Maybe talk to your states medical board?

If the guy is going off the reservation making stuff up and costing you money, there should be consequences

 

[Jeff Oslick]

If it is the AME doing a Dx of a condition by themselves, that seems like a conflict of interest issue, and would be subject to potential malpractice investigation, since doing a medical Dx is not covered by their legal protections as an AME.

 

[Principal]

If it is the AME doing a Dx of a condition by themselves, that seems like a conflict of interest issue, and would be subject to potential malpractice investigation, since doing a medical Dx is not covered by their legal protections as an AME.

Luckily that wasn’t the case or I would’ve been calling the FAA and an attorney. But it just irks me that they can assume and investigate an airman’s health further beyond what is already on paper from your own doctors.

 

[NightSkyReader]

Luckily that wasn’t the case or I would’ve been calling the FAA and an attorney. But it just irks me that they can assume and investigate an airman’s health further beyond what is already on paper from your own doctors.

We’re not supposed to. The FAA already provides an over abundance of guidance, metrics, and algorithms to abide by. This is regulatory medicine, not clinical medicine. That’s for your PCP to handle.

 

[BladeSlap]

We’re not supposed to. The FAA already provides an over abundance of guidance, metrics, and algorithms to abide by. This is regulatory medicine, not clinical medicine. That’s for your PCP to handle.

I wouldn’t even call it medicine

 

[TRC1969]

I found this on the Federal Air Surgeons Column on the FAA website from 2012. Does this ever happen? Just wondering.

To relieve some of the congestion in the processing backlog, I have asked our Regional Flight Surgeons to become more involved in the medical certification process. Regional Flight Surgeons have been directed to encourage AMEs to call the regional medical offices on cases that might be resolved over the telephone. In some of those cases, the regional office can facilitate the processing of a case or even authorize the AME to issue a certificate, even though the airman has a specifically disqualifying condition. Such an authorization would, of course, be contingent on the airman having all the medical documentation necessary for making a favorable decision. I have also asked our AMCD medical officers to increase their activities in dealing directly with AMEs and, whenever possible, to grant similar authority to issue medical certificates.


https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...e_types/ame/fasmb/editorials_jj/accelerating/

 

[BladeSlap]

I found this on the Federal Air Surgeons Column on the FAA website from 2012. Does this ever happen? Just wondering.

To relieve some of the congestion in the processing backlog, I have asked our Regional Flight Surgeons to become more involved in the medical certification process. Regional Flight Surgeons have been directed to encourage AMEs to call the regional medical offices on cases that might be resolved over the telephone. In some of those cases, the regional office can facilitate the processing of a case or even authorize the AME to issue a certificate, even though the airman has a specifically disqualifying condition. Such an authorization would, of course, be contingent on the airman having all the medical documentation necessary for making a favorable decision. I have also asked our AMCD medical officers to increase their activities in dealing directly with AMEs and, whenever possible, to grant similar authority to issue medical certificates.


https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...e_types/ame/fasmb/editorials_jj/accelerating/

Yeah, I don’t believe that

“Billy are you working on your homework or playing videos games?”

“home work of course dad!”
[video game sounds in the background]

 

[kell490]

They probably are all working from home work output slows down lot of distractions at home. Watching TV, and surfing the internet all day it's Government work I'm sure there isn't anyone pushing to get anything done why do you think the sudden backup when everyone went remote. Management isn't hovering around watching anyone they are at home goofing off. I know I'm working at home I work not nearly as hard as I used to when I was in the office.

 

[40YearDream]

If it’s 3-4 months then they’ve picked up the pace. Was 5-6 in the Fall.

I waited 7 months in 2020 for an SI that expired 3 months after I received it!. And, that was using 'Pilot Medical Services' to assist (although I'm not sure how much help they actually were). Basic Med after all that nonsense!

 

[NightSkyReader]

I waited 7 months in 2020 for an SI that expired 3 months after I received it!. And, that was using 'Pilot Medical Services' to assist (although I'm not sure how much help they actually were). Basic Med after all that nonsense!

The FAA unofficially frowns upon Basic Med, probably for job security reasons, yet they continue to operate in a manner that drives more and more pilots away from supporting their existence. It doesn't make sense, but it’s the government after all. I guess they plan on keeping busy enough with their revenue pilots that they can let the 3rd class pilots walk?

 

[Half Fast]

The FAA unofficially frowns upon Basic Med, probably for job security reasons....

Or perhaps it’s that month after month, year after year, Basic Med demonstrates the same effectiveness as a class 3 medical and points out its uselessness.

 

[Anon]

OP, any update on your wait?

I’m at 8 weeks on my final submission with my HIMS AME and on month 10 since my deferral.

I’m gonna give it another month then maybe ask my US Rep for some assistance.

My AME says even he can’t get productive timelines from OKC and, as nice as the people answering the phone in OKC are, all I get is ‘in review keep waiting’.

 

[AAQ]

OP, any update on your wait?

I’m at 8 weeks on my final submission with my HIMS AME and on month 10 since my deferral.

I’m gonna give it another month then maybe ask my US Rep for some assistance.

My AME says even he can’t get productive timelines from OKC and, as nice as the people answering the phone in OKC are, all I get is ‘in review keep waiting’.

I was at 13 weeks when i heard back after my final HIMS submission. I got my letter in mid January so it was pretty recent. But I was also chasing a 1st Class, I have heard with 3rd and 2nd Class it can take longer.

 

[ahmad]

OP, any update on your wait?

I’m at 8 weeks on my final submission with my HIMS AME and on month 10 since my deferral.

I’m gonna give it another month then maybe ask my US Rep for some assistance.

My AME says even he can’t get productive timelines from OKC and, as nice as the people answering the phone in OKC are, all I get is ‘in review keep waiting’.

8 weeks? lol

I am on week 19 since I submitted my stuff. Waiting on SI for my 3rd.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

There are gov't delays everywhere. I made an error on my Medicare app, but as soon as you click "Finished" you are locked out. I called SS up, they said that I will get a letter informing me of the appointment to fix it. It will take two minutes, but must be done in person. The appointment letter will show up in two to four weeks, the appointment will be April or May. The deadline for what I need is middle of March. SS claims it's due to huge numbers of people retiring due to COVID.

 

[Principal]

Coming up on 6 months here after all my paperwork and additional requests have been submitted. This is the most bullsh** process I've ever been through. Was told one person working all the cases similar to mine. What happens if he gets hit by a bus? Then what?

 

[Kenny Phillips]

Coming up on 6 months here after all my paperwork and additional requests have been submitted. This is the most bullsh** process I've ever been through. Was told one person working all the cases similar to mine. What happens if he gets hit by a bus? Then what?

Then you have an MCAS-like single point of failure.

 

[Half Fast]

Coming up on 6 months here after all my paperwork and additional requests have been submitted. This is the most bullsh** process I've ever been through. Was told one person working all the cases similar to mine. What happens if he gets hit by a bus? Then what?

Have you called your Congress critter yet? Also called your regional flight surgeon? Is your AME doing the same? Have you asked AOPA legal services for help?

 

[Principal]

Have you called your Congress critter yet? Also called your regional flight surgeon? Is your AME doing the same? Have you asked AOPA legal services for help?

Im saving all of that in case I get a denial letter. I’m going to become very public and vocal if that happens.

 

[Half Fast]

Im saving all of that in case I get a denial letter. I’m going to become very public and vocal if that happens.

As long as you've waited, I'd do that NOW. Then if you get a denial, they're already familiar with your case and already engaged.

 

[ahmad]

I actually know of someone who waited about 6 months just before covid started. Honestly, I think they are doing the best they could. Every agency in the country is overwhelmed and there is nothing you could do. I sympathize with them even though I am frustrated.

 

[Lindberg]

I found this on the Federal Air Surgeons Column on the FAA website from 2012. Does this ever happen? Just wondering.

To relieve some of the congestion in the processing backlog, I have asked our Regional Flight Surgeons to become more involved in the medical certification process. Regional Flight Surgeons have been directed to encourage AMEs to call the regional medical offices on cases that might be resolved over the telephone. In some of those cases, the regional office can facilitate the processing of a case or even authorize the AME to issue a certificate, even though the airman has a specifically disqualifying condition. Such an authorization would, of course, be contingent on the airman having all the medical documentation necessary for making a favorable decision. I have also asked our AMCD medical officers to increase their activities in dealing directly with AMEs and, whenever possible, to grant similar authority to issue medical certificates.


https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avi...e_types/ame/fasmb/editorials_jj/accelerating/

A few certificates ago, my AME did have a conversation with someone at RFS about an obscure condition before issuing my medical. So it does happen.

ETA: This was between my consult and actual exam. So always get a consult.

 

[Anon]

Just a weekly, curious bump to this thread as the wait continues..

Has OP or anyone else received any movement on their apps? Once I (hopefully) get certified I plan to post my entire saga similar to I believe AllPrimes did to help others have concrete estimates.

Right now the most baffling thing is that my AME also says he has no contacts one outside of the same contacts I'm using to try to get an update on my case. Is this similar to others experience?

 

[TRC1969]

No movement with my file. Still with reviewer. AME and FAA have no estimate. Got deferred, received letter for additional info 2 weeks after being deferred, the following week I sent them everything (1300 pages). They have had it about a month now.

 

[SkyDog58]

The FAA unofficially frowns upon Basic Med, probably for job security reasons, yet they continue to operate in a manner that drives more and more pilots away from supporting their existence. It doesn't make sense, but it’s the government after all. I guess they plan on keeping busy enough with their revenue pilots that they can let the 3rd class pilots walk?

And what is your source for this assertion? Most folks in the FAA that I know think BasicMed is a good idea as it keeps more pilots flying. This means more pilots to ramp check. More old geezers to possibly investigate after an incident or accident.

But more importantly, more old salts coming out to the airport to fly and thus able to spread their knowledge and experience to the kids. Also I know a few ASIs who have gone BasicMed. They sure seem to like it.