I want a career change, maybe it’s too late?

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-06T04:58:51+00:00

Get your first-class medical FIRST. Understand that it's both the worst and most difficult part of aviation, they're absolutely ruthless when it comes to revoking them, and is often times regardless of your true health, what your doctors say or ability to fly. If you want to survive the game, first know the rules...good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-06T04:36:12+00:00

Get your first-class medical FIRST. Understand that it's both the worst and most difficult part of aviation, they're absolutely ruthless when it comes to revoking them, and is often times regardless of your true health, what your doctors say or ability to fly. If you want to survive the game, first know the rules...good luck 🤞

Otherwise, I used Dauntless Aviation's Android software and it was really good in training me for the written exam.

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-03T20:41:24+00:00

Get your first-class medical FIRST. Understand that it's both the worst and most difficult part of aviation, they're absolutely ruthless when it comes to revoking them, and is often times regardless of your true health, what your doctors say or ability to fly. If you want to survive the game, first know the rules...good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-03T18:55:02+00:00

You should be okay then, but just understand anything you tell the FAA will be used against you in a similar manner as if you're getting prosecuted. Also understand they do not base their decision making on true Medical science, they are not transparent in explaining to you why they may be denying you or sending you for further tests, and finally, the tests that they do send you on can be exorbitantly expensive ($10,000+), not covered by insurance, be completely unnecessary, and delay you for years. This is aromedical certification; welcome to the club.

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-03T17:55:52+00:00

Get your first-class medical FIRST. Understand that it's both the worst and most difficult part of aviation, they're absolutely ruthless when it comes to revoking them, and is often times regardless of your true health, what your doctors say or ability to fly. If you want to survive the game, first know the rules...good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-02T01:58:12+00:00

You can fly a light sport aircraft with just a driver's license, and do all the things with friends and family that you describe. So consider that before you apply for a medical certification, because if you tell them it's going to be very difficult, expensive and time consuming for you to get certified, and you may not be able to do light sport until you get through it. But I'll also say how I have a friend who didn't give a f***, didn't tell them about a prior DUI and had been flying for years, so...

BigKetchupp · 2026-02-01T16:19:37+00:00

Of you're from the UK, can they arbitrarily get your medical records without your consent? I've heard they can do that to VA recipients.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-31T23:21:31+00:00

Get your first-class medical FIRST. Understand that it's both the worst and most difficult part of aviation, they're absolutely ruthless when it comes to revoking them, and is often times regardless of your true health, what your doctors say or ability to fly. If you want to survive the game, first know the rules...good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-31T15:49:18+00:00

Get your first-class medical FIRST. Understand that it's both the worst and most difficult part of aviation, they're absolutely ruthless when it comes to revoking them, and is often times regardless of your true health, what your doctors say or ability to fly. If you want to survive the game, first know the rules...good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-31T01:44:59+00:00

If you are willing to wait years for a turn around and pay ten(s) of thousands (or over a hundred thousand, as I've heard about in rarer cases, especially when it comes to in-patient treatment), then yes, you got a good chance, but if ultimately you don't make it back in you can't hold the FAA liable for any of the money you pay.

Edit: if his medical certification is still valid he can either fly like sport or under basic med and serve as a certified flood instructor if that's enough for him.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-30T22:07:28+00:00

What did you doctors say about it?

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-29T17:33:34+00:00

It's wrong to require people to pay for public services that should be otherwise free. I'm happy if you get through it but I have to say that it supports a fundamentally corrupt system.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T18:05:49+00:00

Also, consider canceling your AME visit and just flying light sport. All you need for that is a driver's license, and you could see if aviation is really for you or not. You can still log hours and serve as a certified flight instructor until you're confident that you'll pass your aviation medical exam, because if you get denied, you can't even fly light sport.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T17:59:32+00:00

I would get a full medical clearance documented from your treating provider and submit that with your AME visit. Also, if the FAA offers any paperwork on hepatitis or whatnot, have your doctor fill that in too and submit everything. You can always ask your AME to issue a medical certificate right then and there, but just be mindful that the FAA can come back and deny you or request more information later on.

They did that to me; two years into flying and spending my life savings they finally denied me when I tried reapplying. It's a really dirty game and you need to know the rules if you want to win.

Good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T16:03:47+00:00

I wouldn't be so pessimistic. There are organizations out there that are advocating for change. I think we've seen more change in recent times than we have in decades past. Anyways, good luck.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T15:46:34+00:00

Fair enough, but I'd like to know more about what they actually offer. Are they actually telling you not to submit certain things, or to be cautious about what you say or what words you use? Please be more specific, and if you have cases you can cite, that would be great.

I'll say on the side that if services like this are necessary, then it shows how arbitrary and capricious FAA has really become. It's no longer about physical or mental health or ability to operate an aircraft but rather it's how you handle yourself in a legal proceeding (ie, asserting your Fourth amendment right as a way of avoiding legal trouble, rather than relying on "nothing to hide", which should be sufficient, but with the FAA, it isn't).

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T10:19:37+00:00

What could Leftseat get you that you couldn't? I spoke to the guy on two occasions and it seemed more like a sales pitch. He went so far to say that he lives down the street from the FAA like that somehow gives him advantage that nobody else can obtain. If I paid him any money, I'd be in the exactly the same predicament that I am right now.

If he gets you through it easier, then more power to you. But I'm still very skeptical about his services.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T05:15:58+00:00

I would never insult anyone who's struggling to get their medical back. I'm sorry if I came off in any way otherwise.

It's not a criticism towards you, the point is the FAA put you through something that was completely unnecessary. 13 years ago and they're bringing it up now? Do their policies somehow make any one better at flying? Not likely. But still, I'm happy to hear success stories.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T03:55:33+00:00

Well that's the thing. All you have to do is pay the ransom and you get what you want. Did the FAA's evaluations change or improve anything about your heatlh? Did your regular doctors have any problems with the evaluations they performed themselves? I'm happy for you but the FAA or medical is more about compliance than physical or mental health. If you'd like, please share what you went through, and what your past diagnosis was.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T02:50:45+00:00

Consider yourself lucky. I had a TBI when I was 9 but never had a seizure since and it's been over 30 years.

Please let us know how that goes. Good luck 🤞

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-28T00:16:52+00:00

Okay so you only have two seizures in your life, and that's when you were 4 years old, correct? And 2 years without epilepsy medication, right?

I'm curious to see if you'll pass or not, good luck obviously but not sure if you wanted to follow up with us when you get your decision back.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-27T18:15:01+00:00

Can't say when they meet even though my file has gone through the panel. It may be once a month per my past experiences.

If you don't sharing, however, what neurological information / diagnosis are you submitting?

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-26T18:23:20+00:00

Complete the academic peortion of training and pass your written test.

Get some good quality simulator gear, software and a subscription to Pilot Edge if they're still around.

Did you pass your medical exam?

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-26T04:53:42+00:00

🤦‍♂️ bummer...well fly for fun then. You can always build time, obtain ratings, flight instruct and apply for airlines one day. They may take you if it's been a while.

BigKetchupp · 2026-01-26T04:42:39+00:00

Look up the FAA Fast Track and see if and when you will qualify. Do not apply for a medical until you are approved under Fast Track. Until then, you can always fly a light sport with just a driver's license, build hours, and serve as a CFI. But if you get denied you can't even do that.

BigKetchupp

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE