Titanium Cranium
Well-Known Member
Well I went to a local AME to get my class III medical that I was told I needed for a PPL this morning. Unfortunately I got a bit of bad news from it. Apparently the FAA has a big problem if you've had a kidney stone in the past. Unfortunately I have so I was told it would be deferred and I would have to wait to receive a letter from the FAA giving me further instructions and information. The Dr. said they would most likely require me to get a CAT scan to verify that I no longer have any other stones waiting to come out (even though the stone I had was 11 years ago). My wife was there with me (thankfully she's in the medical field and knows what other options may be out there) and asked him if a KUB x-ray, which would show the lack of any stones, would satisfy the FAA. He said that may work. But now I have to try to get records from the hospital that diagnosed me with having a kidney stone, which is across the country and not the easiest to deal with for records, and pay more money to show that I don't have any more stones in order to fly. If they require a CAT scan it will end my pilot hopes because of the cost of it without insurance. An x-ray is much more affordable and I can have it done at the doctor's office where my mother-in-law works so I'm hoping that's sufficient. I was a bit surprised to learn that if I'm turned down for a medical I will never be allowed to fly the rest of my life. So needless to say right now I'm a little worried that things won't go the way I hope:ermm:
