Final Post-Surgery Hurdle - FAA Medical Recertification!

[Buzz Lanning]

All,

At last, I made it over my final hurdle from open-heart surgery; I received my FAA medical certificate! I haven’t been able to act as pilot-in-command for 427 days, but this weekend, I received my “letter of special issuance” from the FAA. Yesterday, with my special issuance letter in hand, I took my FAA flight physical and received a 3rd class aviation medical. I celebrated by taking a solo flight to Cheyenne, Wyoming and back (from Denver). I was so happy!

Anyway, for those “ValveReplacement.com” members who are pilots, I’ll be glad to provide additional insight into the recertification process and what to expect.

Note: I’ve been flying regularly over the last year, so I met the FAA currency requirements. However, I was unable to fly as pilot-in-command (PIC) until yesterday!

[Phyllis]

Congratulations, Buzz and happy and safe days in the wild blue yonder!

[Ross]

Your gonna make me cry like a darn baby! I wanna go back to it so so bad, but with the addition of this lung disease, I'm grounded permanently. :(

Just out of curiosity, how often are they making your get check ups?

[Nancy]

BIG step, Buzz. I'm so happy for you!

[Buzz Lanning]

Your gonna make me cry like a darn baby! I wanna go back to it so so bad, but with the addition of this lung disease, I'm grounded permanently. :(

Just out of curiosity, how often are they making your get check ups?

Ross,
I'm very sorry you're currently grounded. Maybe you can get your medical in the future?

Anyway, I have to renew my medical every year with the tests specified in the special issuance letter (echocardiogram, status report from my cardiologist on the cardiac valve replacement, coagulation studies, and ECG). The initial certification is the most difficult; i.e., lots more information is required. Subsequent renewals, assuming no significant changes have occurred, are much easier.

If you're ever in Denver, I'll be glad to take you flying.

[Mary]

Congratulations Buzz.
Your diligence in pursuing your recertification sure paid off!!! :) :)

My brother worked as a flight instructor for many years, but that came to a halt when he suffered a series of TIA's. I'm glad you were able to overcome the physical and bureaucratic hurdles that stood in your way.
Mary

[Buzz Lanning]

Hey Buzz - ever heard of AirCell? That's where I work. Do you contract out your services and/or your plane for equipment testing?

Congratulations on the FAA cert! I just had to complete my FAA D/A policy testing Monday and my arm looks like a pin cushion :mad: But it's done, I passed and now I can continue to administer FAA safety sensitive employee files (as if being looped would make a difference!)

Hi Pam,

No, I haven't heard of AirCell. Is it located at Centennial Airport? I fly for fun and work part-time as a flight instructor at Flights, Inc., located at the north end of Centennial airport. I just rent airplanes from this flying club, or provide instruction, so I'm not sure about equipment testing, etc.

[Cris N]

Way to go! Enjoy your regained freedom :)

Cris

[catwoman]

We're located in Louisville, CO, right down the street from Jefferson County Airport. We research, develop, manufacture and sell an Iridium/Satcom cellular telephone/data service for GA aircraft (maybe the commercial fleet network in the near future ;) ).

We're always on the lookout for local pilots with their own planes that we can rent airtime from to test our equipment/new developments on. Right now, we're testing on a Falcon 2000 and a Baron in Kansas City. I was up on it when it was in town to tweak the antenna - pretty fun!

Pam:

I have a friend in Nederland (sp?) near Louisville CO who used to, may still, own a private plane.

[Ross]

Ross,
I'm very sorry you're currently grounded. Maybe you can get your medical in the future?
Buzz it's only a dream for me now. I have a lung disease that has virtually left me with only a about a 1/3 of my lungs functioning. I'm stuck on 4LPM Oxygen as is just to function. Doctor won't even let me go up low altitude for fear of the blebs on them bursting and causing lung collapse.

I'm afraid my flying days are over permanently. I'm stuck being a Microsoft Flight Simulator Pilot now. ;)

[Buzz Lanning]

Ross,

I'm very sorry about your lung disease. Was this unrelated to open-heart surgery, or a complication? Anyway, technology is improving every day. Don't give-up; you might be able to fly again someday (i.e., Buzz the eternal optimist!).

[hensylee]

Another miracle! Congratulations, Buzz. That is wonderful news and we are very proud of you.

We have so many miracles covering ages from babyhood to us old ones right here in VR.

Somebody ought to write a book.

[tommy]

Buzz, congratulations. You give new meaning to
The sky is the limit!

[bvdr]

Buzz, I am so so pleased for you. What wonderful news. I have a couple of friends who are pilots and one who still has his own plane...a nice Kingair(sp?). We have had some nice trips with him and he let me read off the checklist before flight and sit in the co-pilot's seat and once "fly" it. I found it fascinating and was surprised that, to me anyway, it took more physical strength in the legs than I expected. Not at all like commercial travel. If I was younger and healthier it would be something I would be interested in doing. Not a cheap interest though.

Again, congratulations and enjoy yourself!