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.
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.
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.
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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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...
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.
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!
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...
Yeah I was told they were way back logged in o Ontario
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 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.
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...
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 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...
Also wouldn't be the first time they've lost things. Somewhere at licensing I suspect there's a desk that there's a whole pile of applications behind it that has been "misplaced". If this is the case, you may have to get your doctor to re-submit the papers.
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I'm not sure what's more depressing: That everyone has a price, or how low the price always is.
Squaretail wrote: ↑Wed Oct 30, 2019 10:33 am
Also wouldn't be the first time they've lost things. Somewhere at licensing I suspect there's a desk that there's a whole pile of applications behind it that has been "misplaced". If this is the case, you may have to get your doctor to re-submit the papers.
Funny thing, I asked them if resubmitting the paperwork would work and they said no, the Cat 1 medical examination is not lost but my medical file itself is lost...
I wonder how many people work in that office... Apparently my doctor himself is one of the top guys in the TC office...
