On the mend

Thank you everyone for sharing your personal experience with me. I am 2 1/2 weeks post op and feeling GREAT!!! I really turned a corner this past weekend. Back to work and enjoying my new found energy. :) I didn't realize how lethargic I felt prior to my surgery.

My only battle now is getting the FAA to approve a special issuance allowing me to fly. Having a pacemaker is an automatic disqualification for my third class medical. I would love to hear from any pilots out there on how to begin this process of filing a waiver.

Thanks again!
Shell

4 Comments

Sometimes I wonder

by ElectricFrank - 2012-04-12 02:04:07

Actually, a person with a pacemaker may be less likely to have a disabling event. Just think about it. You were OK to fly before you got the pacer. Now with a pacer you have a backup but are deemed unsafe.

I'm sorry to hear you are restricted. While I don't fly these days, I know what it is like to enjoy getting in the left seat. I've got a couple thousand hours in Cessna 182 back in the 70's (when someone else was paying for it). I got my license in a PA11 Cub tail dragger in 1955.

Good luck,

frank

Waiver?

by donb - 2012-04-12 11:04:29

Hello Shell, This member got his Private license Feb 22, 1958. At age 60 still holding a 3rd class medical with my 1st PM, I attended a FAA Medical forum. After the session I spoke to the FAA rep about a waiver for my pacemaker. I was told to forget it, the only way would be if flying was my only source of income.
My grandson is a Captain with Sky West and has had older pilots as Captain with pacemakers. This was when my granson was flying right seat as 1st officer. As Frank pointed out in his post how the FAA thinking belongs is the archives file. As I'm sure you're probably aware of the joint effort of AOPA/EAA of submitting a petition to the FAA for Medical exemtion allowing the use of a valid drivers license. This would extend a pilot to fly any plane 4 place or less up to 180 HP & limited to one passenger. Basically the rules are the same as Recreational Pilot license but no 3rd class medical needed.

As you probably have already submitted your public comment which was just announced recently. For any other readers interested, www.aopa.org has complete info.
Yes, I still fly my Cessna 150 with a another licensed pilot flying as "Pilot in Command". My PM only supports me while in deep sleep with low HR, maybe that's the FAA's reasoning as it's rare to have both the Captain & 1st Officer sleeping on the job.

donb

FAA Medical Certificate

by craigyoung - 2013-08-13 05:08:32

Shell,

HI, I do not know if you have received your FAA Medical Certificate yet or have tried to get it. I suggest that you read the information on the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) website (www.aopa.org). Drill down through the following: pilots/medical/conditions/Pacemaker and you will see the information I have copied below.

I hope this helps.

Craig

Pacemaker

Heart and Circulatory System—Pacemaker

A two-month recovery and stabilizing period is required after the pacemaker is inserted before you can apply for a special issuance. A complete cardiovascular evaluation will need to be done after the 60-day recovery and stabilization period is over.


The packet must include:
1. Copies of hospital/medical records pertaining to the clinical indications for the pacemaker, including:
• make and model of the generator and leads;
• serial numbers of generator and leads;
• admission history and physical
• operative report;
• discharge summary.
2. An evaluation of pacemaker function including:
• Description and documentation of underlying rate and rhythm with the pacemaker turned "off" or at the lowest setting (pacemaker dependency);
• Programmed pacemaker parameters;
• Surveillance records;
• Exclusion of myopotential inhibition and pacemaker-induced hypotension (pacemaker syndrome);
• Power pack data including beginning of life (BOL) and elective replacement indicator/end of life (ERI/EOL).
• Legible samples of all electronic pacemaker surveillance records since the pacemaker insertion. The record must include a sample strip with pacemaker in free running mode.

3. A current cardiovascular evaluation performed by your cardiologist or internist. This evaluation must be performed after the recovery period and include:
• An assessment of personal and family medical history;
• A clinical cardiac and general physical examination;
• Medications usage and side effects, if any;
•Functional capacity.

4. A report of fasting blood sugar and current blood lipid profile including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides.
5. A current 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitor including representative tracings.
6. A report of M-Mode, 2-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiogram, including film video or any other images resulting from the study.
7. Maximal exercise treadmill stress test demonstrating functional capacity equivalent to completion of Stage III (9 minutes) of the 12-lead Bruce protocol. If beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digitalis-type medications are being taken to inhibit heart rate response, it may be necessary to discontinue the drugs for 48 hours before testing in order to attain adequate heart rate. Consult with your physician before discontinuing medication. Submit report(s) and all original tracings.
Applications for first and second-class certification will be presented to the FAA Cardiology Review Panel.
Pacemaker dependency is determined by an unpaced resting heart rate of less than 40 beats per minute. Dependency is disqualifying for first and second-class medical certificates, but third class applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.


Important Note: Many pacemaker recipients are now receiving combination pacemaker/internal cardiac defibrillators on the advice or recommendation of their treating physicians. The FAA does not currently allow the use of automatic implanted cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs) for any class of medical certificate.

Actually...

by czoch - 2013-09-02 03:09:46

Shell,

It is possible to get your medical issued. I am a medevac pilot who is on a "Limited Second Class" and "Unlimited Third Class". The limitation stating "two person crew only". I'll never be PIC again as far as a commercial entity goes, but I can still make a living. That is fine with me. The one that leaves me scratching my head is the unlimited third class. I am an active CFI/CFII/MEI and can take students up? Okay, I'll take it, but I fail to see the difference between that and a flying patients for a living.

On the civilian side: my cardio team has giving me two thumbs up all around, stating there is no reason I should be recertified. Clean bill of health and no physical heart damage whatsoever.

On the FAA side however...

I must rave about my local FSDO's medical inspectors. The inspector I am working closest with has been awesome and her diligence is second to none. Her co-workers are also extremely helpful. What I found frustrating was my local inspectors would interpret a reg one way, and the OKC would overrule them. The reason for frustration was my inspector had 12 years in the cardio game before joining the FAA. Even she was perplexed by some rulings.

The rant I have is FAA HQ in OKC. I did all of the above as required (in previous posts) and sent the packages on time. I even exceeded their testing requirements by having a nuclear stress test and CT scan done. Well, they lost my paperwork twice. I've also had delays where the paperwork just sat on someones desk. The OKC cardio board also only meets every six to eight weeks, so it might be beneficial to inquire at your local FSDO when that next date is. I found it frustrating trying to book appointments with my cardio clinics in coordination with their board meeting. My clinic is impossible to get in immediately unless it's an emergency. I agree with another statement above saying their methods for certification are archaic and medicine has progressed leaps and bounds since they were instituted.

Bottom line is don't give up. Inquire at least, as many of us with PM's can and do go back to flying. It is not an automatic disqualifying condition. Each individual case is unique. Just expect the usual long and trying process with the bureaucracy. Good luck.

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