Michael Walpole

This past August 24th, I successfully renewed (not sure what the proper term is) my existing 3rd Class Medical Certificate, which I have had held without a break in issuance for over 24 years.

Now, in order for me to proceed with enrolling at ATP Flight Training School, I need to obtain a 1st Class Certificate.
I am being told that I have to wait 90 days before I can "get" another certificate.

Can anyone please advise on this. I am eager to enroll and would prefer not to have to wait any longer than necessary.
Thank you,

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This past August 24th, I successfully renewed (not sure what the proper term is) my existing 3rd Class Medical Certificate, which I have had held without a break in issuance for over 24 years.

Now, in order for me to proceed with enrolling at ATP Flight Training School, I need to obtain a 1st Class Certificate.
I am being told that I have to wait 90 days before I can "get" another certificate.

Can anyone please advise on this. I am eager to enroll and would prefer not to have to ... more

Long story short, my four year college has a rule in the handbook that says students need to have a Class 1 Medical before starting any flight training. This is so people know early on they are not disqualified from becoming an ATP. I also had some minor medical problems from the military.

Anyway, I ended up getting a Special Issuance Class 1 after some paperwork back and forth with the FAA. My question is does a Special Issuance degrade the same way as a "standard" issued license does? I do not need a Class 1 right now and I am wondering if I can just let it downgrade to a Class 2 (eventually to a Class 3) without any repercussions. 

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Long story short, my four year college has a rule in the handbook that says students need to have a Class 1 Medical before starting any flight training. This is so people know early on they are not disqualified from becoming an ATP. I also had some minor medical problems from the military.

Anyway, I ended up getting a Special Issuance Class 1 after some paperwork back and forth with the FAA. My question is does a Special Issuance degrade the same way as a "standard" issued ... more

Our flying club has experienced unprecedented growth in the last 2 years going from 6 active pilots and 9 members to 28 members who are mostly active and 2 airplanes.  However, the leadership is stuck in the past operating as a good old boy network not communicating with the members.  They communicate amongst  themselves and rarely communicate with the rest of the club.  The selection process for getting in the club is unknown to the rest of the club and we really don't have much social interaction or regular meetings other than an annual meeting.  There is a lot of complaining, even among the board, about issues and how they are being handled and the people who volunteer a lot of time to keep the planes airworthy are taken for granted.

I feel like with the rapid growth we've managed to get a few bad apples in the club who are causing issues with the planes.  Some people are good at reporting issues, while others are not.  I think the club needs a culture change from these airplanes are cheap to a culture of community and safely.  Just not sure how to go about it.  Frankly, I am ready to can the club and buy my own plane it's just so damn frustrating.

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Our flying club has experienced unprecedented growth in the last 2 years going from 6 active pilots and 9 members to 28 members who are mostly active and 2 airplanes.  However, the leadership is stuck in the past operating as a good old boy network not communicating with the members.  They communicate amongst  themselves and rarely communicate with the rest of the club.  The selection process for getting in the club is unknown to the rest of the club and we really don't have ... more

Our flying club has experienced unprecedented growth in the last 2 years going from 6 active pilots and 9 members to 28 members who are mostly active and 2 airplanes.  However, the leadership is stuck in the past operating as a good old boy network not communicating with the members.  They communicate amongst  themselves and rarely communicate with the rest of the club.  The selection process for getting in the club is unknown to the rest of the club and we really don't have much social interaction or regular meetings other than an annual meeting.  There is a lot of complaining, even among the board, about issues and how they are being handled and the people who volunteer a lot of time to keep the planes airworthy are taken for granted.

I feel like with the rapid growth we've managed to get a few bad apples in the club who are causing issues with the planes.  Some people are good at reporting issues, while others are not.  I think the club needs a culture change from these airplanes are cheap to a culture of community and safely.  Just not sure how to go about it.  Frankly, I am ready to can the club and buy my own plane it's just so damn frustrating.

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Our flying club has experienced unprecedented growth in the last 2 years going from 6 active pilots and 9 members to 28 members who are mostly active and 2 airplanes.  However, the leadership is stuck in the past operating as a good old boy network not communicating with the members.  They communicate amongst  themselves and rarely communicate with the rest of the club.  The selection process for getting in the club is unknown to the rest of the club and we really don't have ... more

I am pursuing my instrument rating with plans to continue on with Commercial and CFI. I am semi retired but want to pursue aviation but no intent on the airlines. I have two good CFII both with good reputations available. One CFII (50 years experience) has a Stinson with electronic HSI/DG/DME and Garmin 796. I would receive Tailwheel endorsement in addition to the mentioned ratings. The other CFII (30+ Instrument students completed) has Cessna 172N with Garmin 650/WAAS. I am wondering which CFII would be my best choice? Is the use of the Garmin 650 that important in obtaining the rating or my future CFI work to choose that route or are the basic IFR instruments sufficient with the benefit of the tailwheel endorsement and time building more valuable?

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I am pursuing my instrument rating with plans to continue on with Commercial and CFI. I am semi retired but want to pursue aviation but no intent on the airlines. I have two good CFII both with good reputations available. One CFII (50 years experience) has a Stinson with electronic HSI/DG/DME and Garmin 796. I would receive Tailwheel endorsement in addition to the mentioned ratings. The other CFII (30+ Instrument students completed) has Cessna 172N with Garmin ... more