Page 21 - Volume 15 Number 1

Mayday
certificate may constitute a violation of that section of the regulations.” Be clear that while the paragraph says “may violate” any attempt to fly before resolving this issue would definitely be a violation.
The letter also contained some language that would imply both veiled and direct threats. The more subtle stated that, “you may wish to voluntarily surrender [your medical certificate] for cancellation. With a helpful hint, the paragraph continued, “We are enclosing a postage-paid business reply envelope for this purpose.” Less subtle was the notification that, “If you do not return your medical certificate within 14 days, your file will be sent to our regional office for consideration of legal enforcement action.”
In a single moment spanning the brief time necessary to open an envelope, my world took a dramatic turn for the worse. I saw my flying career flash before my eyes. I now had a million dollar paperweight sitting in my hangar and a full travel schedule of critical business meetings thrown into chaos. Flying more than 400 hours per year in my JetProp leaves little down time between trips, and precious little opportunity to recreate an alternate itinerary using the airlines. I had a restless night as I struggled to formulate a plan to address this mortal threat head-on the following morning.
Emergency Procedures
After a bracing cup of coffee the next morn, I decided to treat this situation like an emergency in the cockpit. First, I wound my watch, meaning I did nothing and used the time to evaluate my options. That process led to the decision that I needed professional help to navigate my way through this storm. Trying to respond to the FAA without assistance would be like trying to avoid embedded thunderstorms with no lightening strike detector, on-board radar or NEXRAD.
Fortunately, such help is available. One multi-physician web and telephone-based aerospace medicine practice is devoted full time to quickly and confidentially assisting pilots who have medical issues with the FAA. I reached out to Dr. Quay Snyder of Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (www. AviationMedicine.com), formerly known as Virtual Flight Surgeons, Inc.) recalling a presentation I heard two years earlier in Tulsa, Okla., at the annual meeting of the Malibu Mirage Owners and Pilots Association. I called, explained my circumstances, and pled for help, which was immediately forthcoming.
In my particular case the issue was able to be resolved quickly because my medical was revoked based on the premise I was taking medicine that in fact I was not. Once those facts could be established, the rationale for the revocation
was no longer supportable. Dr. Snyder proved his extraordinary value in knowing exactly what type of documentation was needed to establish the facts, to whom they should be sent, and what type of follow-up was needed.
The issue was resolved within 24 hours and I had a clearance from the FAA to resume flying on my current medical certificate. In the end, I had only a transient emergency, like an engine that quit but was restarted before any damage could be done. Not everybody is so fortunate. Let’s use my near miss and good fortune to examine what any pilot should do if that dreaded letter arrives in the mail.
First Response
My story is one repeated in hangars and FBOs across the nation every day. Unfortunately, most do not have such a fast or favorable outcome, even if the medical condition is not disqualifying. The basis of the problem is the FAA’s lack of published references regarding aeromedical certification policies. Airmen, and even their Aviation Medical Examiners, may unwittingly put themselves in a difficult administrative situation regarding their medical certificate and legality to fly. With expensive assets waiting to be flown, any unnecessary period of medical grounding is costly, not only in terms of money, but also in time and mental anxiety.
JANUARY 2011
­TWIN & TURBINE • ­19