Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

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Pilotdaddy
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Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Pilotdaddy »

Hello again -

Wondering if anyone recently went and got their first Class I medical and how long you got that after seeing your CAME? I saw an aviation medical examiner this Monday and, due to having been born with a VSD, he'd advised that it would have to be reviewed by the regional head who would most likely refer me to a cardiologist to carefully examine the VSD.

The wait has been very hard as I originally was going to quit my day job and pursue aviation. To add to that, flying with Photofly has been a blast and the number of clear sky days is torture as I know that it will only diminish as we move along into winter. However, I'd like to at least get a rec license if I'm spending this amount of money on training.... even a Class IV medical looks suspect as one of the questions asks specifically if I've ever been denied a license due to a medical issue, which I would think I would have to answer 'yes' if this regional head denies me the Class I. What's the point of even having a Class IV category then? :(

If anyone in the forum has a VSD and also has their Class I license, would love to connect and hear from you.
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jaylaw16
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by jaylaw16 »

I didnt have any setbacks and it took about 3 weeks to get my CAT1 in the mail. You are able to call transport Canada and the person on the other line is able to let you know the status of the medical. I called after about 2.5 weeks because I am impatient and they told me I am good to go and it was mailed out that day.
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Pilotdaddy
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Pilotdaddy »

Great thanks. I'm only 5 days in so I guess I'll give them another week or so before calling.
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EastCoastWings
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by EastCoastWings »

I have sleep Apnea and have been waiting 4 months on my Cat I. I think it depends on what region you're in. Atlantic region seems extremely slow, and they refuse to answer phone calls, voicemails, or e-mails.
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digits_
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by digits_ »

Pilotdaddy wrote: Fri Sep 20, 2019 4:25 pm even a Class IV medical looks suspect as one of the questions asks specifically if I've ever been denied a license due to a medical issue, which I would think I would have to answer 'yes' if this regional head denies me the Class I. What's the point of even having a Class IV category then? :(
Answering "yes" to that question doesn't mean you will fail a class iv. It just tells them to look at the reason why you failed your class I.
It's a bit of a safety measure against people doing initial after initial until they find a doc willing to pass them, either by luck, incompetence or bribes.
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rotorspeed
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by rotorspeed »

Ontario is 2 months back logged due to amount of physicals needing to be processed
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geneticistx
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by geneticistx »

i needed to wait almost 7 month for my class 3 a couple years ago to be cleared by TC. Once i nudged them, it got done.
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Pilotdaddy
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Pilotdaddy »

7 months! Did you have any issues that needed a second opinion?
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hank998899
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by hank998899 »

I am looking to upgrade a CAT 3 to CAT 1. I waited 6 weeks now and gave Transport a call. Apparently, Ontario region is now backlogged 4-5 months???

None of the instructors that I know believed me when i told them this. I really want to complete my flight training before winter but I guess it's a lost cause... :cry: :cry: :cry:
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Pilotdaddy
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Pilotdaddy »

I just heard back from TC and, as expected, more documentation is needed for my VSD. The good news is that it took just under 4 weeks to get back to me... the bad news is this probably resets the counter and I'm back to waiting again.

Hank, good luck to you. 4-5 months seem ridiculous... when I called two weeks ago, they said it was 6-8 weeks. I hope you get your results soon.
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toseef
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by toseef »

I went for my Cat 1 medical beginning of Sept and haven't heard anything so far.

I did tell the AME that I get migraines couple of times a year to which he asked if I've seen a specialist for it but I have not since it does not stop me from continuing what I'm doing. He said they might come back to ask for more details about it which I didn't know was a big deal at the time. Hopefully it does not take 4-5 months!
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rotorspeed
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by rotorspeed »

hank998899 wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:51 am I am looking to upgrade a CAT 3 to CAT 1. I waited 6 weeks now and gave Transport a call. Apparently, Ontario region is now backlogged 4-5 months???

None of the instructors that I know believed me when i told them this. I really want to complete my flight training before winter but I guess it's a lost cause... :cry: :cry: :cry:
Yeah I was told they were way back logged in o Ontario
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Squaretail
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Squaretail »

Regardless of whether they're backlogged or not, TC has a stated working time of 90 days. Which is a long time when it comes to a desired compressed schedule one might wish for PPL training. The advice I give all people thinking about getting a pilot's license is get your medical done first before you start plunking down money on training.
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I'm not sure what's more depressing: That everyone has a price, or how low the price always is.
hank998899
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by hank998899 »

And... I just heard back...

Two conflicting reports:

Someone at TC told me that my file has gone missing. The other told me that it is with a doctor...

Hmmmm...

They said it's not my medical itself but the file itself. They are trying to find it now....
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Squaretail
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Squaretail »

hank998899 wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:20 am
Someone at TC told me that my file has gone missing.
This is TC's standard reply if you call before the 90 days is up. Don't panic. Call again when 90 days has arrived. Typically, if you do not have a TC file number yet, this is what they are going to answer. My prediction is that if you call after the 90 days is up you'll get the "its in the printer now" reply. Apparently there's only one printer that can print these things...
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I'm not sure what's more depressing: That everyone has a price, or how low the price always is.
EastCoastWings
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by EastCoastWings »

I've now been waiting five months for mine
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Pilotdaddy
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Pilotdaddy »

EastCoastWings wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 9:31 pm I've now been waiting five months for mine
That long? Did you have to do any further testing for the sleep apnea or are you just waiting from your first submission?
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hank998899
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by hank998899 »

Squaretail wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:50 am
hank998899 wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:20 am
Someone at TC told me that my file has gone missing.
This is TC's standard reply if you call before the 90 days is up. Don't panic. Call again when 90 days has arrived. Typically, if you do not have a TC file number yet, this is what they are going to answer. My prediction is that if you call after the 90 days is up you'll get the "its in the printer now" reply. Apparently there's only one printer that can print these things...
Hmmm, that's odd. They need a new TC file number even if it's an upgrade from CAT 3 to CAT 1? I thought my pilot's license number was my file number...
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Squaretail
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by Squaretail »

hank998899 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2019 8:40 am
Hmmm, that's odd. They need a new TC file number even if it's an upgrade from CAT 3 to CAT 1? I thought my pilot's license number was my file number...
Did you give them your file number in the conversation? My experience is that the "never heard of you" response comes if you only give your name. If you feel the need to call them make sure you have your file number at the ready, along with the date the medical was performed. I suspect their internal search engine only can look by file number, so if you don't know it, they don't bother.
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I'm not sure what's more depressing: That everyone has a price, or how low the price always is.
hank998899
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Re: Turnaround time for first Aviation Medical

Post by hank998899 »

Squaretail wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:19 am
hank998899 wrote: Wed Oct 30, 2019 8:40 am
Hmmm, that's odd. They need a new TC file number even if it's an upgrade from CAT 3 to CAT 1? I thought my pilot's license number was my file number...
Did you give them your file number in the conversation? My experience is that the "never heard of you" response comes if you only give your name. If you feel the need to call them make sure you have your file number at the ready, along with the date the medical was performed. I suspect their internal search engine only can look by file number, so if you don't know it, they don't bother.
Yup, I did provide my file number. They said my file has been misplaced...
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