The Special-Issuance Sequence

• Premise: You have a disqualifying condition, but actually are not impaired.

• The FAA cares about 2 things:

• Risk of sudden in-flight incapacitation
• Actual incapacitation, especially brain malfunction, due to disease or medications.

• You cannot seek special issuance without taking a flight physical

• This risks denial, which would make you ineligible for sport pilot status. (You wil be denied if you fail to complete the form or the process.)

• Gathering the required medical data can be incredibly expensive.

• Example: Stress EKG ~$1000, with radionuclide ~$6000 (annually)

Notes:

The important point here is that the FAA will not create a medical file on your case unless you have a current (unexpired) medical certificate or have had a recent flight physical (and were deferred, as is required if there's an issue).

If you want to avoid a denial (to maintain sport-pilot certification), please don't submit records to the FAA (if a current medical is held), and consult an AME without requesting a flight physical if you don't currently hold a medical certificate.

If you do consult an AME, be sure to bring your medical records – the jargon is crucial