PatHABU@aol.com wrote:

Just finished a heart double bypass and recovery seems to be going smoothly.  Any experiences out there in getting the medical back?   Pat Halloween (pathabu@aol.com)

I am glad to hear that your problems were caught in time for you to be referred to a surgeon rather than a mortician. Congratulations on a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.  Having seen a few bypass cases up close, I know that you are going through a very physically and emotionally traumatic event.  Keep your chin up!

I researched this issue for a friend about a year ago, which means that my information is recent, but not very recent.  I would suggest talking to AOPA if you are a member.  In a nutshell, the good news is that you can get your medical back.  The bad news is that it will take about a year if all goes well, longer if there are problems.  Here are the key points as I remember them for a third class medical certificate:

1) You no longer have a valid medical even if there is still time left on your last one.  You medical got canceled when you discovered that there was a condition that required surgery.  This one is hard and fast and pleading  ignorance is not going to get you anywhere with the FAA or the insurance company if you get caught or have an accident.  This is the position the person I was helping was trying to take -- don't even think of trying this.

2) You are required to undergo a mandatory 6 months of recovery period after the surgery.  This is a hard and fast requirement with no exceptions.

3) After the 6 months, you need to take a stress test and full blood chemistry profile including fasting lipid test and have a write-up of your current condition, medications, medical and family history by your personal physician.  Note that none of the tests can even start before the 6 month mark.

4) You need to submit the data in #3 along with ALL the records from your hospitalization directly to the FAA (they must accept freight delivery if they are hoping to receive the FULL hospital file from a bypass operation :) )  If they approve your case, they will send you an authorization letter that you can take to any AME who will issue you a medical if you pass all the other requirements for a third class medical.

5) There are additional requirements for a second class medical certificate and I do not think a first class is available to you any more.

If the documentation is complete and they do not see any problems with your present condition or your course of treatment, the FAA will respond in 90-120 days (at least that is what they were doing a year ago).  So, realistically, if all goes well, you can hope to be back in the air about a year after your surgery.

Good luck.

Hamid