FlyCRJ.com

I had the dubious privilege of taking my First Class Medical today. A laborous if not expensive reoccurring event. I spent $160 for this physical and since I’m over 40 years of age, every year I have to have an EKG which jacks the price up to $212. It is no doubt getting more expensive every year to fly.

Now I know that the physical is important, especially now that airline pilots can fly to the rip old age of 65 (thank you ALPA…not!), but I still think it is a bit of a scam.

I go to a doctor here in Colorado Springs who was once the Chief of Staff of cardiology at one of the hospitals here. Nice enough doctor but a little chatty if you ask me. I just wanted to get in and out but he wanted to talk about airplanes, pilots, heart attacks, and zinc. This particular doctor has his own Cessna 210, so we had to talk about that too. Once we finally get to the physical, he does the obligatory ear check, lymph node check, throat check, etc., and proclaims me fit to fly passengers…again. If he would have asked, I would have told him all of that was fine, paid him half the price, got my certificate and had been on my way.

I’ve discovered that when it comes to check rides and physicals, I find that you have to humor both check airman and doctors who hold your professional career in their hands. Sit there, listen, and agree but don’t offer anything that can incriminate you or be construed as combative. Your goal should to be to get in and out as quickly as possible and essentially remain invisible and unrememberable.

There is a doctor in the airport in Chicago that does physicals for less money and less time. Look him up if you are there. He is located at the medical facility located between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

So, how do you survive the physical?

There are a few things that I do to get ready for the physical that though not rocket science definitely helps me get through it less painfully.

Tip Number 1: Keep track of all you doctor appointments for at least the last three years

I document all my doctor appointments using an Excel spreadsheet. You may need to fill in some fields on the application and it is easier to have the information printed in front of you rather than having to reschedule the appointment or make a telephone call.

A few of the fields that I use are:

• Doctor’s Name
• Address
• Telephone Number
• Reason for visit
• Medication prescribed
• Cost
• Other (i.e., last total flight time recorded, number hours flown in last six months, and answers I provided on my previous application to such things as surgeries and medication)

If you can think of any other pertinent fields, let me know, but these work for me.

Anyway, right before the physical, I print out the spreadsheet and take it with me as a reference.

Tip Number 2: Track your flight time

I’ve mentioned them before, Logbook Pro provides one of the most complete and easy-to-use electronic logbooks for professional pilots on the market. Not only does it track my flight hours for the last six months, which I will need for the First Class Medical Application, but helps me keep tabs on when my medical is due. It also has a lot of other great features that allow create reports and even print your logbook for interviews. You can buy Logbook Pro by clicking here.

Tip Number 3: Find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) You Trust

If you are looking for an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), word of mouth is usually the best resource for finding a good AME. Ask your fellow pilots who they recommend. Ask your flight instructor. Or ask around at your local Fixed Base Operator (FBO). But if you have trouble finding one that way, try the FAA: Medical Certification website (http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/). You can search by several different criteria. I use the “By City” choice.

Once you have the list, check each name on the list and make sure that they do First Class Medicals.

Next, call each one and ask:

• What days they do First Class Medicals?
• How much they cost?
• Do they do EKGs (Required initially at age 35 or older and annually after age 40)

It’s important to know what days the AME does medicals because as a pilot you have a varying schedule and my need several doctor options. SkyWest sets the 20th of each month as the deadline to have your medical completed and their database updated. Don’t wait till the last day before it is due or you might find yourself taken off the flight schedule.

Also, it’s important to know the cost, because if you are like me, you have to budget for these things.

Tip Number 4: Fill out FAA Form 8500-8 using the FAA MedXpress System

I’m finding that more and more AMEs are requesting that you fill out the FAA Form 8500-8 form prior to your appointment. Personally I think it’s a good idea. It saves time for everyone and almost eliminates errors on your part, the AMEs part, and the FAA. The last thing you want is the FAA to notify you that your medical was declined because you failed to fill out the application correctly.

To get to the FAA MedXpress System, go to https://medxpress.faa.gov/ and enter your username and password. Even if you have a user account with the FAA, you will have to created a new account to access the FAA MedXpress System. Bummer, I know! ANOTHER username and password to keep track up.

As a side note, if you are having trouble keeping track of your all your usernames and passwords, the KeePass Password Website (http://keepass.info/) for a very user-friendly, highly encrypted application that will store your usernames and passwords.

Then, just fill out the information, print the form, and take it with you to your physical.

Important Note: There are A LOT of websites that are willing to help you with your FAA medical, but be very skeptical and cautious of these websites before you start divulging personal, medical information to them. If you have any questions regarding your medical condition, look on the FAA website (http://www.faa.gov) to see if you can find the information you are looking for. If that doesn’t work, call the AME you are going to visit and ask them, over the phone, what their opinion is. If that doesn’t work, go to your general practitioner and ask them. Since your GP is most likely not an AME, they may not have all the information concerning what the FAA does and does not allow so when it comes to your medical, a little added expense might mean the difference between getting your medical or not. You could also pick up the Pilot Medical Handbook here and do your own research. One other suggestion is to subscribe to AOPA, and utilize their Medical Certification site to try and answer your question. It is pretty extensive but the AOPA website is a paid subscription website and only Members can access that information.

Tip Number 5: Eat Right and Stay Fit

The best thing you can do for yourself, in my opinion, is to take care of yourself. If you want to fly for a long time, now is the time to care for yourself both physically and mentally. Like I mentioned in my previous entry, “Workout Ideas for Pilots” (http://flycrj.com/2008/11/10/workout-ideas-for-pilots/), it’s important to remain active and maintain some level of fitness. If you don’t, the results could be detrimental to your flying career.

Packing healthy food, like instant oatmeal, soup, apples, etc.,in your cooler will help offset both the cost of being on the road but will also help you maintain a sensible diet. Also, doing something active such as walking, running, or programs like P90X, so that you can work out in your room, will help when it comes time again for your physical.

So whether you are a Student Pilot or an ATP, getting ready for your physical can be a lot easier if you take the steps that I mentioned. Physicals are a necessary evil like checkrides but it can be smoother day if you just prepare a little.

Fly safe (and get in shape)…

Jeffrey

 

Related links you might like to visit for more medical information:

• AOPA (www.aopa.org)
• Thirty Thousand Feet Aviation Directory (www.thirtythousandfeet.com)
• FAA Medical Certification (www.faa.gov/pilots/medical)