Special Issuance timelines

T

TBD

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I’m about to apply for my first 3rd class medical and I’ve already been told it will need to be deferred to OK for a SI. My AME has been really good and making sure I have all the supporting documentation prepared in advance so there should be no need for the FAA to ask for anything else.

What can I expect as a processing time for the decision to issue a SI or deny I suppose? I’m reluctant to start my training until I have my medical as don’t want to get denied but also keen to begin training as soon as possible.
 
My situation was a DWI case, when Oklahoma received my HIMS report it took 17 weeks for a decision. From start to finish it took 7 months! I held off on my training due to uncertainty.

I do know someone who had a medical condition who positively knew he was going to get it back and did all of his required dual training and purchased an aircraft. When he got his SI within a week he had his solo work complete then checkride.

How certain are you?
 
OP here

I’m about 90% certain but also I want semi-intensive training but then don’t want to have to wait a long time before I can solo if the decision will take 6 months as will forget training and have to re-do it
 
When Oklahoma gets..... Round-Tuit.jpg
 
I was told it's running almost 12 weeks right now.
 
I had one for my hypothyroidism, but honestly don't remember the time line.
 
A long time. Mine took forever it seemed, guess without looking at the dates 3-4 months. Did have one additional info for the Dr from the FAA though.
 
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Call your region Flight Surgeon's office and talk to the program manager. If your RFS can issue it may be a whole lot faster.
 
The last I heard was 12-16 weeks. But make sure, whatever you do and however long it takes, that you are sure you will NOT get a denial. Start the process knowing you will pass. Your AME seems like he, or she, is looking out for you. Some SIs are just a matter of checking the right boxes and then waiting for OKC to send back the medical, and other SIs require a lot more interpretation of the data.
 
Thank goodness it wasn’t a DWI, they seem to drag their feet longer when it comes to them. You seem to be going about it the right way, I’d probably get the medical out of the way then hit it hard. In the meantime I’d consider getting the written completed.
 
In 2015 mine took 67 days from AME exam to issuance. That included one request for additional information which I turned around in about two days and FedEx'd back. I called at least twice each week to check status. Glad I no longer have to jump through the hoops thanks to BasicMed. I guess if I win the lottery I'll have to go back to CLIII SI. But, how likely is that? :D
 
This was over a decade ago, but my third class physical exam was on March 28, 2006, and I received the special issuance medical certificate on August 1, 2006, so ~4 months.
 
Flyguy5707 said:
Thank goodness it wasn’t a DWI, they seem to drag their feet longer when it comes to them. You seem to be going about it the right way, I’d probably get the medical out of the way then hit it hard. In the meantime I’d consider getting the written completed.
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DWI SI processing is a slightly different, and more difficult, path than many of the other SI's for conditions that are more medical vs. psychological. The latter often requires review by doctors that are higher on the food chain than the Level 1 minions who review the bulk of the submissions. Therefore, takes longer because their isn't that many of those doctors and a large quantity of submissions.

But with AAANNNNYYY SI submission, the best way to get a short response time is to send ALL of the required information in as a well organized packet, with the doctor's letters spelling out their reports in plain english (keep the medical thesaurus out of it), all of the required details present, and no added weight because the doctor wants to impress someone with more pages than needed.

The object of the exercise is to provide something that the Level 1 minions can compare to the standard and approve. If you fail this, your submission may be routed to one of the very few doctors at CAMI who are already overwhelmed with submissions. In otherwords, the delay was of your causing because the submission was poorly organized. Do your best to avoid and you''ll be a happier pilot.
 
My first SI took a week for the RFS to review and issue. If I pay attention and don't submit renewals when his PM is on vacation a week is usually all I need. If it gets bumped to OKC, and it has, it's taken 8-9 weeks and that's with me regularly on the phone begging. My RFS SI letters specify to submit for renewal 30 days prior to the current SI expiration.
 
There's a long backlog to get your file open, but once you get the letter back requesting information, your subsequent filings go relatively to the top of the heap. I remember it took about 12 weeks to get the first "you may not meet the requirements" letter but less than two weeks once they received the followups.
 
Trying to make my weekly "interested airman" call to CAMI, and they're so busy, you don't even get put on hold. Told to hang up and call another time. Love it!
 
flyingron said:
There's a long backlog to get your file open, but once you get the letter back requesting information, your subsequent filings go relatively to the top of the heap. I remember it took about 12 weeks to get the first "you may not meet the requirements" letter but less than two weeks once they received the followups.
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yup ... good summary!
 
Hey all. Newbie here.

First time AME visit was deffered as expected, 4 weeks later I recieved a letter saying they wanted additional testing done. My test was completed within the week and the results (ame said shouldnt be a problem) were sent to FAA next day service to the regional office. They did recieve the results as I tracked the package. I waited until the next day and called them, they confirmed they recieved the package but still wouldnt give me any idea of then I might hear about a decision.

If ame is accurate and there shouldnt be a problem with the SI issuance, can anyone give me a clue as to when I may know??
 
Want2fly said:
Hey all. Newbie here.

First time AME visit was deffered as expected, 4 weeks later I recieved a letter saying they wanted additional testing done. My test was completed within the week and the results (ame said shouldnt be a problem) were sent to FAA next day service to the regional office. They did recieve the results as I tracked the package. I waited until the next day and called them, they confirmed they recieved the package but still wouldnt give me any idea of then I might hear about a decision.

If ame is accurate and there shouldnt be a problem with the SI issuance, can anyone give me a clue as to when I may know??
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Hopefully the regional guy can issue and it will be quick for you.
 
Four weeks is a hell of a turn around. It's been running like 3-4 times that. Just keep calling them (every other working day). It typically only takes two weeks after receipt of the update to get to the next step (a decision or request for even more information).

At least now I think they expect all doctors to be able to computer-dictate or fat finger themselves so you should get the paper pretty quickly after the decision is made.
 
N3368K said:
Whenever they get...

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My SI a couple of years ago took a couple of weeks after I sent in second round of information.
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Thank you for the reply, I hope this still stands true. I only have 2.5 hour in my logbook, But I don't feel very comfortable investing more until I have that 3rd Class SI in my hands
 
flyingron said:
Four weeks is a hell of a turn around. It's been running like 3-4 times that. Just keep calling them (every other working day). It typically only takes two weeks after receipt of the update to get to the next step (a decision or request for even more information).

At least now I think they expect all doctors to be able to computer-dictate or fat finger themselves so you should get the paper pretty quickly after the decision is made.
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Every other.. OK. I have been calling once per week, Ill up the calling then. Thanks!
 
Part of the problem, even if you overnight a package, is that anything mailed hast to go through the central decontamination center because they are worried you are sending them anthrax or something, then it goes to a scanning center to get entered into your records. It can take up to two weeks from when they receive it, to when FAA medical division can see it.
 
Right now I'm at 13.5wks since submission, and per my weekly call yesterday I'm still in review. At this point I'd be happy to get the news by xmas.
 
Want2fly said:
Every other.. OK. I have been calling once per week, Ill up the calling then. Thanks!
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The phrase is often "Non-consecutive days". And keep in mind that Friday to Monday is considered consecutive.
 
Dave Theisen said:
Part of the problem, even if you overnight a package, is that anything mailed hast to go through the central decontamination center because they are worried you are sending them anthrax or something, then it goes to a scanning center to get entered into your records. It can take up to two weeks from when they receive it, to when FAA medical division can see it.
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I was informed as of yesterday (2 days after the package showed delivered by the post office) it was revieved and under review. Perhaps thats a default answer?? Anyway, faxing was not an option as my tests results included a CD (and a report of the testing)
 
It may be more helpful to another if i explain my situation.

2015- chest pain, taken to hospial, I walked into ER, determined I was having a blockage in an artery. 1 stent installed. Also informed that I am type 2 diabetic. Issued a few Rx and released a few days later.

1/2017. Interest began in avaiation, youtube vidoes and general research began. Visited locol flught school and applied for student cert.

3/2017. Received student cert and began researching 3rd class medical.

8/2017 made direct contact with AME, AME informed me that my chances were good. AME informed me that he is a cardiologist. AME accepted me as a cardiology patient. AME advised me to obtain medical records, making sure to obtain specific items.

9/2017, first visit with cardiologist/AME.
Records given to AME/cardiologist
Stress test ordered.
Stress test, taken, passed all phases.

10/17. AME performed exam and deffered.

11/17. Recieved letter from faa requesting echocardiogram. Test taken 5 days later, resulting images on CD recieved immediately, 3 hours later email recieved from cardiologist (ame) with a full report of findings.

12/17. Paper report and images in CD sent and confirmed reciept via USPS tracking and verbal from FAA... “under review”



Update— issued SI and being mailed today, total time including letter for further test, test completion and next day USPS with results was 8 weeks, maybe a few more days to recieve the certificate in the mail.
 
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Want2fly said:
Mon-Wed-Fri will be my calling days.
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The phrase is often "Non-consecutive days". And keep in mind that Friday to Monday is considered consecutive.

You need to call Mon >> Wed >> Fri >> Tues >> Thu >> Mon >> Wed >> Fri >> Tues >> Thu
 
As far as I know once you've called three non consecutive days your file is flagged as an interested airman. After that, I don't know if further calls improve your position. I did the three non consecutive, then Bruce called on a certain day, then I was to call once weekly.
 
Bill Jennings said:
As far as I know once you've called three non consecutive days your file is flagged as an interested airman. After that, I don't know if further calls improve your position. I did the three non consecutive, then Bruce called on a certain day, then I was to call once weekly.
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Still waiting? That sucks.
 
I keep checking the FAA page to see if I have been issued the SI, but nothing yet.

Im not very convinced that the FAA even looks at anyones info when they are called. I had called previously and I was told “its under review” and no futher information is available. The next day, I had a letter requesting more testing and results. I believe that if the person who had answered my phone call had really looked when she said “hold on for a minute while I look at your file” she would have informed me that a letter was sent.

Who knows

https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/main.aspx
 
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