FAA - Special Issuance - Initial Time Frame?

Question

I had a FAA AME exame in Mid June, and have a couple of conditions that required my paperwork to go to Oklahoma City FAA for evaluation. I called and they said my files had been scanned in on June 30th, and were currently in review by the staff physician. It has had this same status for nearly 3 weeks. What kind of time frame am I looking at here? I am a healthcare professional, and supplied them with every possible status report, lab report, and medical record on the conditions that I have (both of which are not disqualifying, but require the initial decision to be made by the main FAA office in Oklahoma City).

Answer 1

A special issuance is given after they reject you for a medical certificate, and you manage to satisfy their demands. You don't want that. It is issued conditionally and only for 1 year, then the fun starts all over again.

You appear to be waiting for your initial medical issuance. If you have issues that keep the flight surgeon from being able to issue you a medical on the spot, and Oklahoma city gets involved, they are very good at being bureaucrats. The wait has gotten better over the years, in the past I have seen them take 6 months to rubber stamp an application. Now, I am being told in most cases, it is down to about 4-6 weeks.  

If you do not have a disqualifying condition, or are on any disqualifying medications, or combinations of the above that become disqualifying, you'll be good to go. Plan on submitting the same test results, and reports to the AME on your next medical exam, as long as you get the thumbs up this time, and nothing changes, the AME can issue a medical on the spot. If your condition changes you may find yourself waiting again next time.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I'm not sure what the current backlog is, and it varies by condition. I had a coronary issue about two years ago and it took 8 weeks to get the special issuance. They were in the process of speeding things up back then. It could be quicker now.

You don't have much choice other than to wait. I did see a rumor once that if you call them every few days to check on the status it will raise its priority, but that sounds weird. I think you just sit and wait.