Special Issuance Timeline & Advice for OSA, SVT, and "Hypertension"

[waiting2solo]

Hey all.

I applied for an initial FC1 in March, after recently being diagnosed with Mild OSA and (arguably OSA-induced) Supraventricular Tachycardia that I had initially thought was AFIB.

In the office I had slightly elevated BP (like 130/85, stress/dehydration/obviously sleep apnea) and the nurse recorded a diagnosis of "essential hypertension", which the doc never mentioned and I was never prescribed any sort of drugs or treatment.

I send in my sleep study, a 15-day Holter, Echo, and all the notes, and get back a letter from OKC demanding a stress test, my CPAP data, a letter from my pulmonologist saying I was compliant, the airman OSA compliance form, and "any information pertaining to a diagnosis of hypertension, as well as 3 blood pressure readings within 7 days".

Fine. Got the stress test within the parameters they gave, got 30 (now approaching 90) days of 100% CPAP compliance and a letter saying that I had no daytime sleepiness and excellent compliance, and my cardiologist said something about no intervention required for BP as well as 3 readings on consecutive days (all around 120/80).

My DME was not concerned about anything, looking at my holter he said the "load" of my SVT was so small it hardly warranted a diagnosis, and that moderate weight loss would probably resolve the OSA symptoms (and subsequently the SVT and BP), and he would write up the OSA as an AASI and a buddy in OKC would take a look at the SVT.

I currently have 26 hours dual, I have my temp student certificate and a passing PAL written and my CFI says I've been ready to solo for the last month. I'm meeting with my DME to go over everything and make sure I've crossed all my T's next week, what is the turnaround time for an SI like this that they've already started?

There weren't any "surprises" with the additional tests, my SVT is not exercise-induced, I am 100% CPAP compliant, I don't have BP outside of normal range, and my file was opened 3 months ago. With the new information can I expect a reasonable turnaround, or should I start looking at doing a combined PPL/Instrument?

 

[PaulS]

Hey all.

I applied for an initial FC1 in March, after recently being diagnosed with Mild OSA and (arguably OSA-induced) Supraventricular Tachycardia that I had initially thought was AFIB.

In the office I had slightly elevated BP (like 130/85, stress/dehydration/obviously sleep apnea) and the nurse recorded a diagnosis of "essential hypertension", which the doc never mentioned and I was never prescribed any sort of drugs or treatment.

I send in my sleep study, a 15-day Holter, Echo, and all the notes, and get back a letter from OKC demanding a stress test, my CPAP data, a letter from my pulmonologist saying I was compliant, the airman OSA compliance form, and "any information pertaining to a diagnosis of hypertension, as well as 3 blood pressure readings within 7 days".

Fine. Got the stress test within the parameters they gave, got 30 (now approaching 90) days of 100% CPAP compliance and a letter saying that I had no daytime sleepiness and excellent compliance, and my cardiologist said something about no intervention required for BP as well as 3 readings on consecutive days (all around 120/80).

My DME was not concerned about anything, looking at my holter he said the "load" of my SVT was so small it hardly warranted a diagnosis, and that moderate weight loss would probably resolve the OSA symptoms (and subsequently the SVT and BP), and he would write up the OSA as an AASI and a buddy in OKC would take a look at the SVT.

I currently have 26 hours dual, I have my temp student certificate and a passing PAL written and my CFI says I've been ready to solo for the last month. I'm meeting with my DME to go over everything and make sure I've crossed all my T's next week, what is the turnaround time for an SI like this that they've already started?

There weren't any "surprises" with the additional tests, my SVT is not exercise-induced, I am 100% CPAP compliant, I don't have BP outside of normal range, and my file was opened 3 months ago. With the new information can I expect a reasonable turnaround, or should I start looking at doing a combined PPL/Instrument?

Your medical stuff sounds pretty sorted, but hopefully a doc will comment, follow what they say. Personally, I would not do a combined PPL/instrument. I would get the PPL, take a break for at least a month or so, and fly as much as possible solo. Most pilots take about 50 hours after the PPL to feel really comfortable flying by themselves, you want to be there before starting instrument.

 

[bbchien]

this will be approved but they called you rhythm possibly AFib, a completely higher std than that for PSVT. In that case ANY A fib is a potential stroke in waiting.

I would have used a 14 day 5 lead monitor, better able to distinguish 6 beats of A Fib form PSVT. Oh well, this is eventaully going to work.

You should know that they are 2,000 cases behind and that is by THEIR count. I would say this will take about 3-4 weeks from submission of the Stress test. There are no levers we can pull for the student pilot unless he/she can demonstrate enrollment in a part 141 aviation program...sigh.

 

[waiting2solo]

Thanks for the replies guys.

To clarify, my Holter was a two-lead event monitor (Zio?) for 15 days, I had 9 events total, all of which were SVT's or coupled PAC's, no AFIB or PVC's. I have had zero cardiac symptoms since before starting CPAP, and I am taking no medications.

I am currently enrolled in a professional aviation degree program at a major 141 school, however they have a 6-month backlog from COVID and a CFI shortage so I am trying to jump the line by knocking out my Private and Instrument with a local Part 61 operation. My AME is adjunct faculty at the University, do I qualify for the magic 141 lever?