If you have a medical condition that would preclude medical certification under the Federal Aviation Regulations, you can still obtain medical certification in many cases through the “Special Issuance” process. This process is not all that difficult. In most cases, I will examine you and discuss the condition with you. Subsequently, I will forward the results to the FAA Regional Flight Surgeon for the New England Region, Dr Paul Clark, who has offices in Nashua, NH and Burlington, MA. His staff are quite efficient, and they will usually send you a letter in less than one week detailing what documents they would like you to forward to them. It has been my experience that when applicants complain about delays in this process, usually the problem is that their physician’s office staff has not forwarded the requested information to the FAA in a timely fashion. Also, please bear in mind that the requested information and/or testing is not negotiable, and is entirely your responsibility. You must provide everything they ask for. If they ask for copies of your stress test results, they really do want copies, not a note from your physician stating “stress test O.K.” In my office, I generally have an eventual special issuance success rate of greater than 90%, (when drug and alcohol problems are excluded).

Once the FAA grants you a special issuance, SAVE THE LETTER! You will need it every time you come to see me. Read the entire letter carefully. It may authorize me to issue your subsequent medical certificates in my office, with proper documentation, or it may require sending the documentation to the FAA. The letters are well-written and comprehensive, follow the instructions and you shouldn’t have any problems. And last, don’t wait until the last minute for renewals!

There is a treasure trove of information to help you with this process available on the following web sites: FAA.gov; FlightPhysical.com; and AOPA.org

(If you’re not already an AOPA member, now is a good time to join).

Good Luck, you can always e-mail me with questions.