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Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 6:37 pm
by 3Dreaming
TimTaylor wrote: And I would recommend basic med for anyone who qualifies at any age who does not require an FAA 3rd class physical for the reasons I posted. And I'm not talking about Sport Pilots, or people exercising Sport Pilot privileges or people flying balloons, gliders, parachutes, or radio controlled aircraft.
Yep, I get it you wouldn't recommend it. You've said at least 4 times in this thread. Next time try typing it in all caps for some dramatic effect.

I still have to side with my AME who I personally know and trust on issues like this.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2019 6:55 pm
by TimTaylor
3Dreaming wrote:
TimTaylor wrote: And I would recommend basic med for anyone who qualifies at any age who does not require an FAA 3rd class physical for the reasons I posted. And I'm not talking about Sport Pilots, or people exercising Sport Pilot privileges or people flying balloons, gliders, parachutes, or radio controlled aircraft.
Yep, I get it you wouldn't recommend it. You've said at least 4 times in this thread. Next time try typing it in all caps for some dramatic effect.

I still have to side with my AME who I personally know and trust on issues like this.
Good luck then. I hope others don't take his advice.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:15 pm
by vespadaddy
AFAIK, since I don't ever plan to fly for pay, and I'm 49, the only reason I would opt for another AME medical is if I want to fly to Canada, or the Bahamas. And no, it is probably not worth the risk for me, especially since I intend to build a light sport airplane, as I can do all the maint and inspections myself. A PPL will allow me to fly at night, or to rent a 4 seater for family trips.

I really wish the FAA would codify and allow medical 'pre-inspection' exams, allowing an applicant to 'fail without submitting the MedXpress form and losing light sport privileges.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 4:02 pm
by 3Dreaming
vespadaddy wrote:. I really wish the FAA would codify and allow medical 'pre-inspection' exams, allowing an applicant to 'fail without submitting the MedXpress form and losing light sport privileges.
In a way they kind of do. The MedXpres form does not become official until the doctor accesses your account with your code number.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 5:54 pm
by vespadaddy
By the letter of the FAA regs, is the AME allowed to do the exam without first logging you in? I thought I was preventing them from logging me in until after the exam was complete, but I didn't know the number was on the bottom of the printed MedXpress form that I had printed and handed across the counter prior to the exam.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:04 pm
by TimTaylor
Nothing would prevent an MD from doing a "pre-exam." Most would probably be willing to give you a physical before putting on their AME hat. Some might not. However, I would not even enter my information into the FAA system unless there was a reason I NEEDED an FAA medical and was willing to take a risk I could get grounded for life. Flying professionally is the only reason I would enter the FAA medical system. Unintended consequences, etc.

This is my OPINION.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 6:35 pm
by vespadaddy
Well, like I said, I will never fly for money, but I might like to fly in Canada, or maybe one day to Cuba or the Bahamas.

Here's another question: Does the MedXpress system generate a new secret number each time it is used? Obviously, the AME I used now has the secret number that I didn't know was printed on the form. If, in 2 years, I decide I want to keep my 3rd class (for one of the reasons mentioned above), I could simply cover the number on the bottom of the form with a sharpie, if the number is different than the one I just used for my 3rd class.

Does the number change for each exam, roughly 2 years apart?

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:32 pm
by 3Dreaming
vespadaddy wrote:By the letter of the FAA regs, is the AME allowed to do the exam without first logging you in? I thought I was preventing them from logging me in until after the exam was complete, but I didn't know the number was on the bottom of the printed MedXpress form that I had printed and handed across the counter prior to the exam.
Guidance says that they are supposed to review your information before starting the exam. By having a copy it allows them to do so without logging into the system. This was an unintended consiquence of the MedXpress system. MedXpress states that your application does not become official until the AME logs into your account with your access code.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:33 pm
by 3Dreaming
vespadaddy wrote:Well, like I said, I will never fly for money, but I might like to fly in Canada, or maybe one day to Cuba or the Bahamas.

Here's another question: Does the MedXpress system generate a new secret number each time it is used? Obviously, the AME I used now has the secret number that I didn't know was printed on the form. If, in 2 years, I decide I want to keep my 3rd class (for one of the reasons mentioned above), I could simply cover the number on the bottom of the form with a sharpie, if the number is different than the one I just used for my 3rd class.

Does the number change for each exam, roughly 2 years apart?
I believe you get a new code for each applicarion you submit.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2019 10:59 pm
by TimTaylor
Personally, I would like to see them do away with the FAA 3rd class medical. Replace it with Basic Med for All. Also, do away with the rule that if you ever fail, you are grounded for life. What should matter is your health TODAY.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 10:47 am
by 3Dreaming
TimTaylor wrote:Personally, I would like to see them do away with the FAA 3rd class medical. Replace it with Basic Med for All. Also, do away with the rule that if you ever fail, you are grounded for life. What should matter is your health TODAY.
To say that if you fail you are grounded for life is not quite true. There are plenty of people who have failed a medical, who have gotten healthy and went back to flying. They simply followed the FAA's process for doing so.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 11:32 am
by TimTaylor
3Dreaming wrote:
TimTaylor wrote:Personally, I would like to see them do away with the FAA 3rd class medical. Replace it with Basic Med for All. Also, do away with the rule that if you ever fail, you are grounded for life. What should matter is your health TODAY.
To say that if you fail you are grounded for life is not quite true. There are plenty of people who have failed a medical, who have gotten healthy and went back to flying. They simply followed the FAA's process for doing so.
Some are grounded for life. Some are not. That goes without saying. Most here know that. Many who are able to regain their flying privileges do so by very costly medical test and procedures to prove their medical condition is "in control" and many of these must be done annually. Personally, I choose not to mislead new pilots into thinking there is little or no risk to having an FAA 3rd class physical. With Basic Med, there is no reason to take this risk if you don't need to. I suspect most pilots will move to Basic Med if not flying for hire.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:28 pm
by 3Dreaming
TimTaylor wrote: Some are grounded for life. Some are not. That goes without saying. Most here know that. Many who are able to regain their flying privileges do so by very costly medical test and procedures to prove their medical condition is "in control" and many of these must be done annually. Personally, I choose not to mislead new pilots into thinking there is little or no risk to having an FAA 3rd class physical. With Basic Med, there is no reason to take this risk if you don't need to. I suspect most pilots will move to Basic Med if not flying for hire.
How many of those who are grounded for life should actually be flying?
If they are healthy enough to fly and choose not to go through the FAA special issuance process whose fault is that?
I agree that it can be costly to go through the special issuance process. If one chooses to do that and gets their medical back the only have to do it once, not annually to participate in BasicMed.
The risk of getting a third class medical is highly dependent on the applicant. If you have a questionable health history your risk goes up. If you are healthy with a clean history you risk is very small. Regardless of the risk if you want to participate in BasicMed you have to take it.

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:36 pm
by TimTaylor
You're the one arguing for an FAA medical. I'm saying forget the FAA medical. You have not presented one logical reason to continue with doing FAA medicals if you don't need to. My recommendation to all pilots not flying for hire, regardless of age, is never have another FAA medical if you qualify for Basic Med (or fly with Sport Pilot privileges, fly gliders, balloons, blimps, powered parachutes, etc).

Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 12:05 am
by Otto
What Tim keeps saying. If you qualify for basic med or fly stuff that doesn't require a medical never get another medical. There is no upside to the gamble. A local AME gave a basic med bashing educational speech to pilots, I don't know him, only heard what he told friends. Doing third class medicals won't pay off med school loans but they can be a nice semi-retirement gig. Keep that in mind when an AME suggests a third class medical for nonpro pilots who qualify for basic med.