Pilots with Prostate Cancer

Cherokee6
Cherokee6 Member Posts: 33
in Prostate Cancer #1
Are there any pilots out there dealing with prostate cancer? If so, how are you dealing with the FAA Medical Certificate. I've just received an AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI) from the FAA which allows your local AME to approve your medical annually for up to six years.

Comments

  • thegriz
    thegriz Member Posts: 23
    #2
    Seems Like You're On To Something
    Three years out from Prostate surgery, and a new student pilot (at age 61), I had to supply the FAA with my entire medical history of diagnosis, surgery, and followup PSAs (all clean) for my initial Medical, and it was only good for one year. At the one-year mark, (now as a licensed pilot) I supplied them with a letter from my urologist ("there's no reason he can't fly...") along with recent PSA tests, and after getting lost in the shuffle and several phone calls, I finally got my extension. Wondering if I'm gonna have to go through this every year??? Would sure be interested in learning more about how your AME can approve your medical for six years. I'll see mine this August for the normal 24 month review. * Carb Heat Bob *
  • Cherokee6
    Cherokee6 Member Posts: 33
    #3
    thegriz said:

    Seems Like You're On To Something
    Three years out from Prostate surgery, and a new student pilot (at age 61), I had to supply the FAA with my entire medical history of diagnosis, surgery, and followup PSAs (all clean) for my initial Medical, and it was only good for one year. At the one-year mark, (now as a licensed pilot) I supplied them with a letter from my urologist ("there's no reason he can't fly...") along with recent PSA tests, and after getting lost in the shuffle and several phone calls, I finally got my extension. Wondering if I'm gonna have to go through this every year??? Would sure be interested in learning more about how your AME can approve your medical for six years. I'll see mine this August for the normal 24 month review. * Carb Heat Bob *

    AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI)
    Carb Heat Bob,
    Good for you, getting your pilots license at 61 years old. That's great. I had a friend and his father always wanted to fly and got his license at age 70. My hats off to you both, I got my pilots license in 1979 and have been flying ever since. I’m now 62.
    As far as the AASI goes, at my last medical appointment I let them know about my prostate cancer which I had removed in 2009, six months after my previous medical and the AME granted me a one year medical. A few months later I get a letter in the mail telling me that the FAA, although they are not disallowing my medical they need additional information to approve it. I sent them all my medical history and didn't hear back from them until January 23, 2012. They sent me an AASI letter stating that I am approved and they sent along a new medical certificate which expires in five months which is actually one year after I got my medical. The letter states that I have to carry the letter on my person or at least in the plane at all times and for the next six years my local AME can issue my medical each year and as long as nothing changes everything is good for the next 6 years. If something changes I have to let the AME know and he will forward it to the FAA for review.

    Cherokee6
  • thegriz
    thegriz Member Posts: 23
    #4
    Cherokee6 said:

    AME Assisted Special Issuance (AASI)
    Carb Heat Bob,
    Good for you, getting your pilots license at 61 years old. That's great. I had a friend and his father always wanted to fly and got his license at age 70. My hats off to you both, I got my pilots license in 1979 and have been flying ever since. I’m now 62.
    As far as the AASI goes, at my last medical appointment I let them know about my prostate cancer which I had removed in 2009, six months after my previous medical and the AME granted me a one year medical. A few months later I get a letter in the mail telling me that the FAA, although they are not disallowing my medical they need additional information to approve it. I sent them all my medical history and didn't hear back from them until January 23, 2012. They sent me an AASI letter stating that I am approved and they sent along a new medical certificate which expires in five months which is actually one year after I got my medical. The letter states that I have to carry the letter on my person or at least in the plane at all times and for the next six years my local AME can issue my medical each year and as long as nothing changes everything is good for the next 6 years. If something changes I have to let the AME know and he will forward it to the FAA for review.

    Cherokee6

    Keep The Oily Side Down
    Thanks for the reply, Cherokee6. My first medical had a similar "carry this letter with you" restriction for the 1st year, but now I appear to have a "normal medical" with no apparent restrictions. Since I haven't been through this process (renewal) as many times as you, I'm not sure what to expect of my AME. He's the one who pushed my process off to the FAA in the first place. Guess I'll talk to him when the time nears for the exam to see if he's capable of granting my medical on the spot. *Carb Heat Bob*
  • JJPhare
    JJPhare Member Posts: 34
    #5
    thegriz said:

    Keep The Oily Side Down
    Thanks for the reply, Cherokee6. My first medical had a similar "carry this letter with you" restriction for the 1st year, but now I appear to have a "normal medical" with no apparent restrictions. Since I haven't been through this process (renewal) as many times as you, I'm not sure what to expect of my AME. He's the one who pushed my process off to the FAA in the first place. Guess I'll talk to him when the time nears for the exam to see if he's capable of granting my medical on the spot. *Carb Heat Bob*

    FAA Medical
    Cherokee6, theGriz et al,

    I have gone through the FAA medical procedures for many moons (1977). I had DVT and was placed on coumadin in 1992. Since I was on medication, the FAA would not grant me the standard medical so each one is considered a special issuance. Being over 40, the medical is granted for two years however I must take the normal physical and give the AME my blood test scores who then sends them in to OKC. The AME gives me a temporary authorization good for up to a year until the FAA in OKC reviews my scores. Even though the medical is good for 2 years, I must send in my results each year to OKC. The Special Authorization is good for 6 years which must be carried with me.
    I was diagnosed with CaP in 3/11. In order to get my medical from the AME, my pathology report, and letters from the radiologist and urologist needed to be submitted. I had CK in 7/11 and thus PSA scores are required with the letters from the physicians (which basically state that there is no medical reason to deny the medical). Because the medical from OKC is good for one year, new letters etc need to be submitted 3 months prior to expiration and it will be reissued for another year. Then, I can return to the AME after the second year to take the FAA physical and start the procedure over again.
    Hope that helps
  • rotorhead
    rotorhead Member Posts: 3
    #6
    I am new to the board with a
    I am new to the board with a recent diagnosos. I am dual rated ATP / CFI with Comm seaplane rating as well. I am also typed in the C-550. When I got the diagnosis I grounded myself and reported it to my AME. I have sent all the paperwork in to the FAAand am waiting to hear from them. I still have to finish Chemo and surgury so my best guess is that I won't have a medical till fall at the earliest. This is new to me so any tips you could send would be helpful. Thanks.

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