Viperdoc wrote:
> Dudley:
>
> The OP is not at the mercy of a physician in the group- he simply could
go
> elsewhere to get his FCIII exam performed. However, it sounds like he
needs
> a complete new physical, a review of the records, and a submission via
> computer on a regular basis for the special issuance.
>
> Unfortunately, this all takes a fair amount of time. Performing the
required
> tests, especially Class II, requires an EKG, hearing test, vision
screening,
> etc, and between the equipment and time required this adds up to a lot
of
> expense. Then, you, or a paid assistant, has to log onto the FAA
computer
> and submit all of this stuff.
>
> A special issuance requires an extensive review of records, along with
> dictation of a letter (that has to be done by a paid transcriptionist)
and
> then submission to the FAA.
>
> Most docs actually barely break even or lose money doing this service
for
> pilots.
>
> So, yes, it's expensive, but so are a lot of other aspects of flying. I
> personally would rather have someone identify a potential problem and
> address the issue, rather than keep on flying until something breaks,
just
> as if my mechanic found some potential problem that would ultimately
save
> money or my life down the line.
>
>
>
> "Dudley Henriques" <dhenriques@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> news:DLOdnVDgkIfmICDVnZ2dnUVZ_uadnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> John Godwin wrote:
>>> Dudley Henriques <dhenriques@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in
>>> news:TNydnYotDqHZLSDVnZ2dnUVZ_gGdnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>> Make sure we're on the same page with the above. I might not have
>>>> stated this as accurately as I should have,
>>>> What I'm saying doesn't conflict with the Pass= fly regardless of
>>>> age. It simply RECOGNIZES that at a certain point while following
>>>> the "plan", a pilot WILL reach a specific point in time where the
>>>> medical can no longer be passed. In other words, Fail= no longer
>>>> fly. What I'm saying is simply that even my "plan" so to speak,
>>>> ends up with basically what we have now :-)) You fly until you
>>>> can't pass the physical then no more. The same issue remains. The
>>>> "rub" is that no matter what is done, the end of the road seems
>>>> unchanged. There can very well be a point where the pilot p*****
>>>> the physical at some ripe old age, then has that heart attack in
>>>> the air during the periods between physicals.
>>>> This is the basis for what I have envisioned as a "plan" to
>>>> shorten the period between physicals as a pilot ages.
>>> My situation is one of cost. I can easily pass the FAA Medical (even
at
>>> my age) but have decided not to try after passing my last one.
>>>
>>> I have a Special Issuance wherein the FAA required do***entation from
>>> each of my two physicians. My Medical Group charges nearly $100 per
>>> "official" letter and then there's the AME fee. I felt that a little
>>> under $300 each year was a tad much at this time so it may well be
that
>>> it's time to hang up the spurs or do other flying alternatives.
>> That's a CRIME. I'm VERY sorry this is happening to you. I never quite
>> know what to do or say when I see things like this happening to a
pilot.
>> We're at the mercy of these damn doctors and they know it. You could
>> complain, but many times that simply ends up in an endless loop that
goes
>> nowhere. Charging $100 to fill out a form is a gross over charge and
the
>> only reason they can get away with it is because you HAVE to have it.
>> This doctor could easily have been a lawyer!
>>
>>
>> --
>> Dudley Henriques
>
>
I understand, and in an ideal world what you have stated would indeed be
the case.
My experience with some of these doctors personally and with some of my
students unfortunately hasn't exactly mirrored your own. :-))
--
Dudley Henriques
|
