Okay, Paper Work Sent to FAA

My kidney transplant doctor appoint, after being delayed by a month, went very well.  All of my numbers are within guidelines and medications are working well.  As far as he is concerned he does not need to review my blood work monthly, and opting for every other month. 

So, once my doctor completed his evaluation for the FAA, it was in the mail within 18 hours. 

Now, I begin the waiting game for my approval from Oklahoma FAA so that I can take official exam from my AME.  Usually, they are very reasonable and if I want to start some flying lessons before then I guess I can call and request them to expedite my paperwork.  Until then I might as well do ground school again and re-take my written and see if I can repeat that 93% I got last time. 

Update ... End of summer, 2013

Here we are in August, and very little has become reality on the aviation front.  Sort of.

If you happen following this blog you know that pretty much my time has been consumed as a caregiver for a senior parent.  This pretty much means that I cannot work a regular fulltime job.  And those of you who fly understand clearly that no money equals no flying.  But that is with me, because pretty much it is an honor to take care of the parent.

I did not renew my medical last year, but I am in the process of doing that right now.  Four weeks ago I saw my liver transplant doctor after undergoing a colonoscopy two weeks prior to that appointment.  The results from the colonoscopy were very good, followed up with the appointment, my regular checkup, and my liver functions are exceptional.  Therefore, six years after my liver kidney transplant my liver is working fine.  Unfortunately, my appointment with my kidney doctor was postponed due to a scheduling conflict and postponed until the second week in September.  Based upon my monthly lab reports from my blood work, my kidney doctors should give me the same report to turn into the FAA.  My blood lab resents over the past year have been extremely steady, and over the past three months have actually been exceptional.

Do two my transplant surgeries the FAA requires me to send in annual reports from both of my physicians, and annually the FAA will clear me for another year of flying.

All in all, I really have no worries about my upcoming medical evaluations.  My only concern is that when these reports go to the FAA somehow they seem to get lost in the shuffle and I have to wait 3 to 4 months before I get my approval.  At the same time, when I called the FAA months ago on their secret phone number I was advised by one of the staff that they will expedite with the simple phone request.  So I guess there’s nothing to worry about here.

Back in the Air. Sorta.

Over the past two years I have been absent from flying and to be honest about it, I really have a lot of sad days when I see CAVU. 

Living on final approach to KCGF’s runway 6 does not help matters much.  Listening to the tower on my aviation radio makes me long for just an hour here and there detached from the ground.

Yesterday, a friend from my home base, 16G invited me for a ride in the 150 and I eagerly accepted.  Due to the ever changing weather in Cleveland, I was checking it constantly for 72 hours before the flight.  In Cleveland, if you don’t like the weather just wait, it will change before the next hour.

The flight was bumpy and it was hazy, but it was still great.  We flew to 38D for pie and coffee and back again to get the plane to the next renter. 

So why have I been out of the air for so long?  Two words.  Family First.

A few years ago my step father passed away, and eventually I moved in to take care of mom.  Also, my income was cut off and due to taking care of her I can not work except for a few hours out of the house.  So, pretty much I am tied to the ground and I hope that this year brings me better results.

Yesterday reminded me of the many things that I have been missing over the past few years and have come to the conclusion that something has to change, and soon.