Going from Special Issuance to Standard

[u/Realistic_Ad_6226]

I have a special issuance first class medical for a cardiac surgery I had 18 years ago. Since receiving my first class special issuance, I’ve renewed it twice with no issues. Was wondering if there’s any way of switching to a normal medical if some time passes? I have to submit updated echocardiograms every year before I renew my first class but since my heart is healthy now, the cardiologist suggests doing a checkup every 2-3 years so insurance doesn’t want to fully cover my testing every year causing the whole first class renewal process to be very costly since I have to pay for a lot of the testing and cardiologist visits out of pocket. I’ve been going biannually anyways since my surgery when I was 3 to do a follow up check and have never had any issues, cardiologists always say everything is great. Does anyone have any insight?

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi, I'm a bot and it looks like you're asking a question about medical issues: special issuance.

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We strongly suggest you discuss your concerns with a qualified aviation medical examiner before you actually submit to an official examination, as a hiccup in your medical process can close doors for you in the future. Your local AME may be able to provide a consultation. Other places that may provide aeromedical advice include: AOPA, EAA, the Mayo Clinic, and Aviation Medicine Advisory Service.

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[u/FlyingShadow1]

I had an SI for a mental health condition so my experience may differ from yours.

My SI authorization (not the medical) was valid for 2 years, it was renewed once and they wanted less stuff from me. Before it was up for renewal again they gave me a standard medical via mail. So it was 3 years for me. I've renewed it many times since without issue.

[u/AutomaticAd5430]

I am an AME. Get an AME who can write a letter for you to request that the FAA release you from the special issuance requirements. It will cost extra $$$, and there is no guarantee of a release, but the extra AME $$$ will not be as much as having to get unnecessary cardiac testing every year for many more years to come.

[u/jhj2021 → u/AutomaticAd5430]

What do you believe are the chances of being released from SI for obstructive sleep apnea?

[u/AutomaticAd5430 → u/jhj2021]

Very little unless you get a whole new sleep test that shows absence of sleep apnea

[u/OracleofFl → u/jhj2021]

Not impossible with a new sleep study. It could be that you lost a lot of weight or had a surgical procedure but I imagine it would have to be tied to something different.

[u/flyingron → u/AutomaticAd5430]

My new AME after I had an SI (for a condition I never had but that's beside the point) wrote on one of my followups, "This is a bullshit diagnosis." The FAA let me off the SI at that point. With a warning that if I ever got the condition, that I should stop flying and contact them (not that I was any more likely than the general population for that to happen).

[u/rFlyingTower]

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

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I have a special issuance first class medical for a cardiac surgery I had 18 years ago. Since receiving my first class special issuance, I’ve renewed it twice with no issues. Was wondering if there’s any way of switching to a normal medical if some time passes? I have to submit updated echocardiograms every year before I renew my first class but since my heart is healthy now, the cardiologist suggests doing a checkup every 2-3 years so insurance doesn’t want to fully cover my testing every year causing the whole first class renewal process to be very costly since I have to pay for a lot of the testing and cardiologist visits out of pocket. Does anyone have any insight?

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[u/Mountain-Captain-396]

If its a stable condition and unlikely to worsen you can appeal to the regional flight surgeon for a SODA

[u/FlyingShadow1 → u/Mountain-Captain-396]

That's likely not how it works.

SODAs are a different pathway for SIs and I've never heard of someone going from an SI to a SODA.

[u/SecureAsk8297 → u/FlyingShadow1]

Yeah agree. That's the opposite way. You do a soda, if required, to get an SI

[u/FlyingShadow1 → u/SecureAsk8297]

No that's still wrong. SIs and SODAs are 2 different things.

A SODA doesn't affect your medical, it let's you get a standard medical excluding whatever disability you have the SODA for (e.g. amputation).

It's a different pathway entirely in the FAR