Pilot talk

[Ross]

Since we sort of took over Al's thread, I figured I should move this discussion to a thread of it's own.


Jim it shouldn't have ended flying for you. You can still get a medical certificate although I'm sure the FAA would have you going for exams about every 6 months.

 

[Natanni]

Lyn,
Thanks for the links to the Round Table Discussions. Even though it was 6 years ago, much is still applicable. I was pleased to see that my surgeon, Dr. Michael Petracek, was a participant. He has always impressed me as one that is driven to provide the best choices and outcomes for his patients.

I was 63 at the time of my surgery, and he had no problem convincing me to go the St. Jude mechanical valve route, knowing that it required Coumadin and that it also would end my favorite pastime, flying.

My husband passed his FAA physical after AVR. He home monitors his INR as well as geting it checked once every 3 months with his coumadin clinic. He does have to report back every 6 months with INR records, and he also has to supply echo, ekg and stress tests every year.

 

[OldNick]

FAA License

FAA License

Ross,

There were two things that made the decision for me. First, accidents like bike falls and contact sports hits, those normally mentioned as a no-no by the medical community when dealing with Coumadin and sewn-in valves, are mild compared to what one can encounter in a small plane accident. Second, my wife gave me an ultimatum: No more flying.

The FAA's position when I inquired about reinstating my medical was that they had never approved anyone who had TWO mechanical valves. They said I could submit a massive amount of information on my surgery and its outcome, and they would take it under consideration. If I recall correctly, this was their position in 1994. It may have changed in the intervening years.

Jim N.

 

[OldNick]

Natanni,

I'm glad to hear that things worked out for your husband to keep on flying. At his age, I was really enjoying it.

I see from your sig that he is about thirty years younger than I was at time of surgery, and he had only one valve implant. The rest of the requirements are similar to what I was led to believe I would face. I'm sure there would have been extra scrutiny because of my age.

Life goes on.

Jim N.

 

[Natanni]

Natanni,

I'm glad to hear that things worked out for your husband to keep on flying. At his age, I was really enjoying it.

I see from your sig that he is about thirty years younger than I was at time of surgery, and he had only one valve implant. The rest of the requirements are similar to what I was led to believe I would face. I'm sure there would have been extra scrutiny because of my age.

Life goes on.

Jim N.

Jim-

Have you looked into things again since 1994? Nathan had quite an enlarged heart at the time of surgery (check archieves for details) which, thank god, returned to normal EF and size, etc; His ordeal was complicated by endocarditis and he also had post op a fib-also once a big "no no". There is so much that they are doing now with sport licenses, it maybe worth checking into He did pass the standard private license as he didn't want any limitiations. Best of wishes to you!

 

[OldNick]

Natanni,

Thanks for the kind wishes. I still follow the developments in light planes and licensing as a member of AOPA. However, at 77, I'm not sure I am up to taking on all of the changes, even if my health were top notch.

I have gone back to photography, and try to find interesting photo ops when I visit the local airport.

Jim N.

 

[Ross]

I understand Jim. I used to fly myself. It's my first love in life and I miss it dearly. Just thought if you hadn't scoped the possiblity out, that I'd let you know. Us fly boys find it difficult to be grounded.

 

[Mary]

Jim it shouldn't have ended flying for you. You can still get a medical certificate although I'm sure the FAA would have you going for exams about every 6 months.

Buzz Lanning started a thread on his experience getting his medical certificate back.
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12630
He stated that he had to get an exam once a year; however, I wonder how much the exam and associated tests, costs.

 

[Ross]

We had another member who tried, but it was cost prohibitive for him in retirement.

 

[OldNick]

Costs to Maintain FAA Medical Certificate

Costs to Maintain FAA Medical Certificate

From the level of testing that the FAA indicated that it would require for maintaining a certificate after implantation of mechanical valves (plural), I also concluded it would be very expensive. At the time, I was retired, but not yet on Medicare. Now, I doubt seriously that Medicare would approve the additional testing just to enable me to fly.

Jim N.

 

[Ross]

Oh well Jim, we always have Microsoft Flight Simulator. May not be the same as the real deal, but it's as close as we'll get.

 

[OldNick]

Oh well Jim, we always have Microsoft Flight Simulator. May not be the same as the real deal, but it's as close as we'll get.

Ross,

My kids gave me an early version some years ago and I found that it was much more difficult to master than landing a J-3 Cub. Perhaps, with the addition of a proper joystick, throttle, and rudder pedals, it would have been easier. I gave up on it.

Jim N.

 

[Ross]

While I was recovering from surgery in 2002, a bunch of people from Speedguide.net got together and got me Flight Simulator 2002 and 2004 along with these:

http://www.chproducts.com/retail/y_fsyusb.html

http://www.chproducts.com/retail/pedals.html

The sims have variable difficulty levels, from novice to down right realistic professional. You might enjoy giving it a try again. You can get the pedals and yoke cheaper if you look around.

 

[OldManEmu]

Post AVR flying duties with US Airforce

Post AVR flying duties with US Airforce

The US airforce doesn't have a problem with pilots returning to active service in low G aircraft post AVR with tissue valves. See attached link


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9056031&dopt=Abstract


The civil aviation regulator shouldn't be as demanding as the military.

 

[Ross]

The US airforce doesn't have a problem with pilots returning to active service in low G aircraft post AVR with tissue valves. See attached link


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9056031&dopt=Abstract


The civil aviation regulator shouldn't be as demanding as the military.

Just bare in mind, it is homograft tissue and not animal.

 

[Philip]

I'm a bit late in joining this discussion; work gets in the way of so many interesting things.....Don't forget the light sports aircraft option is there unless you need to go fast.

The FAA will approve 2 replaced valves but only if it is a Ross procedure. If I remember correctly you won't find detailed info in the FAR's but if you visit the FAA web site and look at the guidelines for medical examiners there is a a large amount of detailed info.

Try to keep it under 5 G's and have fun
Philip

 

[OldNick]

Thanks for the info, Philip, but that does not help a guy who has a couple of St. Judes that have been clicking away perfectly for almost 14 years. I'm happy to take my chances with the mechanicals and Coumadin. I still think they were the best choice at the time.

Jim N.

 

[Ross]

A friend of mines 2 year old going up for the first time today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmVWKGeXwiQ

 

[901]

I asked my Card about getting a medical waiver for a pilot's license the last time I saw him in February. He said he would be happy to write the justification and that he would feel more confident with me flying and knowing my condition than someone who had not had issues and who's condition was unknown.
I haven't pursued the license, yet, only because I haven't had time or the funds available for lessons (two kids in college, working full time and small business from home).
I seem to recall that the FAA will approve a sport license for valvers but they need the world book of justification for a private pilot's license.

 

[Ross]

Picture had to be removed, sorry, copyright violation.