Question: The FAA has denied me a Medical Certificate. Can you get one for me?
Answer: As much as we all dislike this answer, it depends. There are some situations where the correct answer is “No.” Some situations provide “Maybe” as the appropriate answer. Much of the time the proper response is “Yes”. The most important thing to remember is that ONLY THE FAA CAN ISSUE A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE. Call us and we’ll give you an answer tailored to your situation absolutely free.
Question: Can I work through the FAA procedures myself?
Answer: Yes. Every applicant has the right to work directly with the FAA. But having the right and having the knowledge are two different things. The road to a Medical Certificate - when medical events in your life cause difficulties - can be quite time consuming and challenging. We have the experience and knowledge to take you through the procedures in less time and with fewer problems than you most likely would experience in doing it yourself.
Question: Why does the FAA make it so difficult to solve a problem? Don’t they want us to be able to fly?
Answer: Most people at the FAA are just like you and me. They work hard to get their job done well and on a timely basis. The hard part is that they are charged by law to ensure the highest of standards when it comes to pilot and controller health. When they are given the appropriate information, they do everything they can to help you get a Medical Certificate in your hand.
Question: How long does it take to get a Medical Certificate?
Answer: If there are no medical events in your history, the certificate will be issued by the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) at the time of the examination. For some medical events in your past - given the proper documentation - the AME can still issue the Medical Certificate at the time of the examination. If the AME must defer the decision to the Regional Flight Surgeon or to Oklahoma City, the final decision can take from 30 days to a year or more for very complex situations, depending upon a variety of factors.
Question: At what point in the process should I contact you?
Answer: The best time is when you first suspect that there may be a problem. The second best time is as soon as you know you have a problem. In those situations where you have tried to get a favorable resolution from the FAA and are still unable to get the Medical Certificate, we can usually still help. A no obligation call to us can help you get started.
Question: If I think there may be a problem, should I first have the AME give me an examination to be sure?
Answer: No. Once the AME has your application, he is required to file it with the FAA. If a problem has been discovered, the FAA will act on that problem and may deny your Medical Certificate. It is far better for you to have your documentation ready prior to filling out the FAA’s Application For A Medical Certificate.
Question: If the AME finds a problem, won’t he help me get all the information together which might be required by the FAA?
Answer: This is frequently a misunderstood point. When you pay your AME for an examination, the fee covers only the examination and, if you meet the requirements, the issuance of the Medical Certificate. The fee does not normally cover any additional work required to meet the FAA’s informational needs as it regards your medical situation.
Question: Do you have doctors and lawyers on your staff?
Answer: Supplying the FAA with the information they need to be able to issue a Medical Certificate is more of an administrative and/or bureaucratic effort. You have your treating physician(s) and the FAA has theirs. The last thing you need is another set of doctors in the loop. We have available, and use as required, consulting Aviation Medical Examiners, medical doctors and other medical staff. As for lawyers, this is not a legal matter. It is an administrative medical matter not normally requiring legal
advice.
