Medical Delays

[pelmet]

Has anybody had issues?

https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/bureauc ... -1.5813464

[photofly]

Oh yes.

It’s taking six to nine months to issue a new category 3 medical and category 1 applications are taking even longer. It’s completely absurd. Even a category 4 application is coming in four to five months, and that’s a “minister shall issue” requirement under the CARS with zero medical oversight required.

All the rumours are there’s only one or two doctors inside TC who has to do approvals for multiple regions. Everyone else has quit or retired.

Glad to see someone put a friendly journalist onto it.

[dhc#]

Are some regions faster or slower than others ?

[C-FDPB]

Had a question for the Ontario region office. Left voicemails, emails, and sent snailmail. That was in May 2020, haven't had a reply since. Called the Prairie region with my question and got an answer after the third ring on the first try. Problem solved.

[oldncold]

new Ramo in yeg region ex military . likely seen duty in afganistan . concerned about bmi .lots of folks getting flagged . heck after the last 2 years most pro pilots are bmi concerned too. . if back workn your stress level likely has dropped . your focus is on work not the fridge at midnight wonder how to pay the mortgage.

hit the hotel gym every overnight you can.

[RatherBeFlying]

The YEG RAMO retired a couple years ago. The next two were based in Ottawa. Happily the present RAMO is based in YEG, and I have found the PNR RAMO office and RAMOs responsive to my emails.

I have been finding out that what doesn't trigger one RAMO can trigger another one.

[Dakota435]

I've been waiting since last May for my medical to be renewed for Cat 3 privileges (formerly Cat 1, for 45 years). I had developed paroxysmal Afib that is well controlled, and medical policy allows Afib if otherwise no other disqualifying conditions. My doctor said should be no problem. I had a whole heart workup done, including CT scan and ultrasound, found out heart is in great shape. Taking a beta blocker which has it under control. Frustrating, since I'm probably a much lower incapacitation risk than the average elderly pilot who has no idea what their actual cardiac condition is (you can be one foot in the grave and still pass a treadmill stress test). The whole test package was submitted last May. In the fall I was informed that oops my file is still with the QC region even though I've lived in Ontario since 2014. So my files were faxed to a QC Region guy in Ottawa called an "assessment specialist" or some such, when he contacted me in Nov to send him all my reports. He said, "we'll get to you as soon as possible". Almost 4 months later, no sign. Flying season coming up, and another year shot. Might as well sell my plane and give up gliding. I know it creates insurance exposure, but I'm starting to regret disclosing my condition to my doctor, all the same. I might just buy an FAA Pt 103 compliant ultralight and drive it across the border to fly it.

[780Pilot]

Did my CAT 1 renewal July of 2021, TC GARLO still says my last one was 2020. On top of that when I went in 2021 a few days after I got an invoice for that $40 fee they charge in the mail for my 2020 medical

[RatherBeFlying]

DO NOT ask to downgrade your medical. It goes in for a months long reassessment - my suspicion is that TC assumes that you have a problem when you ask to downgrade.

[digits_]

DO NOT ask to downgrade your medical. It goes in for a months long reassessment - my suspicion is that TC assumes that you have a problem when you ask to downgrade.

What's the alternative if you can't pass a category 1 renewal anymore?

[AirFrame]

DO NOT ask to downgrade your medical. It goes in for a months long reassessment - my suspicion is that TC assumes that you have a problem when you ask to downgrade.

Given the aging pilot population, my suspicion is that they're probably not wrong in a lot of cases.

[sendymcsendyface]

Oh boy, hope something changes soon. Going to renew my CAT 1 after taking time off for mental health treatment. Hope its not as much of an ordeal as it was to get my FAA medical though (Took a full year to get approval due to a heart condition, despite already holding a valid TC CAT 1)

[prop2jet]

TC Medical approvals for CAT 1 taking up to 15 months... This is unacceptable especially seeing as how there were backlogs prior to COVID. The entire process needs to be streamlined and TC Doctors should not be reviewing every single renewal that has been sent in. Focus should be on those waiting to get their medical back along with new applicants. As far as I am concerned, if my CAME is satisfied that should be enough.

[digits_]

Oh boy, hope something changes soon. Going to renew my CAT 1 after taking time off for mental health treatment. Hope its not as much of an ordeal as it was to get my FAA medical though (Took a full year to get approval due to a heart condition, despite already holding a valid TC CAT 1)

Wouldn't you be good to fly as soon as the doctor stamps the medical? It's a renewal, not an initial.

They could always ask for more information afterwards, but if it takes them 15 months to ask you those extra questions, then that's on them, not you.

[JasonE]

My medical from Oct/19 has not yet been processed. It should get faster with the new online form the doctors use.

[sendymcsendyface]

Oh boy, hope something changes soon. Going to renew my CAT 1 after taking time off for mental health treatment. Hope its not as much of an ordeal as it was to get my FAA medical though (Took a full year to get approval due to a heart condition, despite already holding a valid TC CAT 1)

Wouldn't you be good to fly as soon as the doctor stamps the medical? It's a renewal, not an initial.

They could always ask for more information afterwards, but if it takes them 15 months to ask you those extra questions, then that's on them, not you.

Theoretically, but as I have been taking an SSRI for mental health issues, I'm not about to risk my future by not disclosing that.

[digits_]

Oh boy, hope something changes soon. Going to renew my CAT 1 after taking time off for mental health treatment. Hope its not as much of an ordeal as it was to get my FAA medical though (Took a full year to get approval due to a heart condition, despite already holding a valid TC CAT 1)

Wouldn't you be good to fly as soon as the doctor stamps the medical? It's a renewal, not an initial.

They could always ask for more information afterwards, but if it takes them 15 months to ask you those extra questions, then that's on them, not you.

Theoretically, but as I have been taking an SSRI for mental health issues, I'm not about to risk my future by not disclosing that.

I am not saying don't disclose it. Not at all. Go to an aviation doc who is comfortable stamping your booklet. If TC then wants more info, it doesn't matter how long it takes.

[sendymcsendyface]

Wouldn't you be good to fly as soon as the doctor stamps the medical? It's a renewal, not an initial.

They could always ask for more information afterwards, but if it takes them 15 months to ask you those extra questions, then that's on them, not you.

Theoretically, but as I have been taking an SSRI for mental health issues, I'm not about to risk my future by not disclosing that.

I am not saying don't disclose it. Not at all. Go to an aviation doc who is comfortable stamping your booklet. If TC then wants more info, it doesn't matter how long it takes.

That's a good point, I'll book an appointment and see what happens.

[photofly]

The revelation may be in a category that requires the doctor to defer renewing it pending approval from TC. They don't have a lot of discretion.

[mmm..bacon]

I've been waiting since last May for my medical to be renewed for Cat 3 privileges (formerly Cat 1, for 45 years). I had developed paroxysmal Afib that is well controlled, and medical policy allows Afib if otherwise no other disqualifying conditions. My doctor said should be no problem. I had a whole heart workup done, including CT scan and ultrasound, found out heart is in great shape. Taking a beta blocker which has it under control. Frustrating, since I'm probably a much lower incapacitation risk than the average elderly pilot who has no idea what their actual cardiac condition is (you can be one foot in the grave and still pass a treadmill stress test). The whole test package was submitted last May. In the fall I was informed that oops my file is still with the QC region even though I've lived in Ontario since 2014. So my files were faxed to a QC Region guy in Ottawa called an "assessment specialist" or some such, when he contacted me in Nov to send him all my reports. He said, "we'll get to you as soon as possible". Almost 4 months later, no sign. Flying season coming up, and another year shot. Might as well sell my plane and give up gliding. I know it creates insurance exposure, but I'm starting to regret disclosing my condition to my doctor, all the same. I might just buy an FAA Pt 103 compliant ultralight and drive it across the border to fly it.

Years ago, I worked in Kenora. A great aviation small town - lots of characters around....one of them being this old guy who blasts in one day with his Cub on floats, acting like he owns the place. After he left, some discussion ensued, and it turned out that it was widely known that he didn't have a medical...and had been flying for years without one. Little chance of getting ramped these days, so if you were to fly out of your own field/strip, and as long as you are honest with yourself and your personal Dr, and are prepared for the insurance headaches should something go wrong, get flying, and wait for TC to keep up, not the other way around..

[prop2jet]

Theoretically, but as I have been taking an SSRI for mental health issues, I'm not about to risk my future by not disclosing that.

I am not saying don't disclose it. Not at all. Go to an aviation doc who is comfortable stamping your booklet. If TC then wants more info, it doesn't matter how long it takes.

That's a good point, I'll book an appointment and see what happens.

That is not how the system works. If you have been taking an SSRI, TC has a protocol in place. Your medical is suspended. Your medical will be re instated after a minimum stand down time of 6 months. You will have to supply supporting documentation to TC, via your CAME when conducting your medical. The CAME does not have the authority to stamp your book. You would have to wait until TC reviews your file, which is now taking 15 months to do.

If TC is not aware that you are on SSRI and subsequently your CAME reports you were but no longer are, they probably will still revoke your medical.