Hello all,
I went in for my first 1st class medical two days ago and told no lies on my application. That entailed letting the examiner know I am prescribed oxycodone as needed for a herniated disc. I work full time as a ramp employee and when I get beat up put there it usually helps, but aside from that I don't really use it.
I passed the medical but was told I was deffered due to my script. On the application I told them to state it's as needed and will discontinue use if need be. I made to rhe examiner add this on the app after learning its a 60 day process to even hear back from FAA through mail.
I was planning on beginning flight training next week and now they got me worried about even being able to complete training while waiting. Is there anyone who has dealt with this or can offer guidance to perhaps curb some time from now until resolution? Can I call FAA proactively? Should I get off the script with letter from my specialist asap? Just thoughts running through my mind. Thanks to all in advance
Oxycodone is a big problem. It is on the FAA's “Do Not Issue/Do Not Fly” list. However, there is an exception “for documented temporary use of a drug solely for a medical procedure or for a medical condition.” In such cases, you may continue to use that pain med but you are not permitted to fly after taking it without an acceptable wait time after the last dose:
- 5-times the maximum pharmacologic half-life of the medication; or
- 5-times the maximum hour dose interval if pharmacologic half-life information is not available. For example, there is a 30-hour wait time for a medication that is taken every 4 to 6 hours (5 times 6)
According to the FDA, the mean ± SD elimination half-life of a single, oral dose of oxycodone, is 3.51 ± 1.43 hours. The FAA will want you to use the outlying time (3.51+1.43, or five hours). That would require a 25-hour wait after taking one tablet.
As you have discovered, an AME cannot issue if you're taking such a med but must defer to HQ for consideration. They'll review your case and make a decision. Currently, they are so backlogged that you're looking at somewhere around 6 months to make that decision. This could be further delayed if they have additional questions about your condition or decide the documentation you submitted is inadequate. Then they send you a letter requesting more information, and once you submit that, you're back at the bottom of the pile again. IOW, you won't be getting a medical any time soon.
You can certainly start training with an instructor while this process is ongoing, waiting those 25 hours after each dose, but you will not be allowed to fly solo until you get that medical. And since there's no guarantee of issuance, that could all be a waste of time and money.
One other consideration is what you're going to do with that First Class medical. If your intent is to fly professionally, especially for a Part 121 carrier, I don't see any way an airline would hire you as a pilot if you periodically can't fly for 25 hours – too much chance you'd be unavailable for duty as scheduled or have to be grounded in the middle of a trip. If that's your goal, I'm thinking you really need to get off this med permanently.
@Alex Cordero It took me 11 months to get a special issuance, and when issued it was valid for less than 30 days. Personally, I would wait to get the medical before starting training. Perhaps even talk to your doctor about surgery for that disc. If it can be fixed, then maybe you wouldn't need the medications after recovery is done.
If that disc was due to a work-related injury, send me a private message. I handle insurance claims for a major auto manufacturer, including Work Comp claims. No promises, but I am happy to talk to you about the claims process.
@Alex Cordero It took me 11 months to get a special issuance, and when issued it was valid for less than 30 days. Personally, I would wait to get the medical before starting training. Perhaps even talk to your doctor about surgery for that disc. If it can be fixed, then maybe you wouldn't need the medications after recovery is done.
If that disc was due to a work-related injury, send me a private message. I handle insurance claims for a major auto manufacturer, including Work Comp claims. No promises, but I am happy to talk to you about the claims process.
Yikes 11 months. Nothing sounds worse right now. Was your special issuance due to pain meds and was there a bit of back and forth? I agree I shouldn't start training until I hear back. From what I gathered, the best course of action I can do now is send additional info with my application to FAA showing an explanation of treatment , and even better, a letter stating discontinued use.
Concerning the herniated disc this was from an auto accident years ago from which some legal action already took place. I appreciate your help though.
@Ronald Levy
Thank you for your guidance. I requested an alternative medication for pain and requested a letter of discontinued use from my specialist to submit to FAA. I will update for those who are curious of the proceedings.
@Alex Cordero
Don't start hip-shooting information to the FAA. Wait for them to send you a request for more information, then send them exactly what they asked for – nothing more, nothing less.
