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Deferral On Flight Physical Because Of Being Ts.


Guest Sunshine

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Guest Sunshine

Just putting this out to find out out other people have dealt with this. Are there any pilots out there that have had to deal with FAA stuff because of gender issues?

Two weeks ago I went in for a flight physical. Other than being a little overweight I'm in VERY good health, I passed all the tests. But because of the TS thing, instead of getting passing me, I got a deferral.

I'm still waiting on the official FAA letter saying what I need to send in but here is the list I got from the doctor of things that they need to see to let me in the air.

- Op Notes

- Current Status (from my regular MD)

- Meds that I am taking or that I should be taking

- A statement from a psych about my "stability" in my TG role from my psych

- A statement of my "stability" prior to transition from my psych

I'm kind of peed because of having to jump through extra hoops just because of being TS.

I don't have a lot of the information that they want because I have not been "in the system". I was fed up with being stuck with all the extra junk that I had to do just because of being TS so as soon as I finished doing the stuff I needed to in order to have my legal gender changed, I just stopped. I was just living my life like everyone else. Of course after a while my HRT prescriptions ran out, but since I don't have an source of T in my system now I didn't really worry much about it. It wasn't worth the hassle of explaining myself to a new doctor. Also, I lost track with the psych I had been seeing. I didn't see the point of going anymore since in my mind my problem was mostly dealt with now. I have tried to contact the psych again, but she moved. argh... the contact info I have for her leads to dead ends.

In addition to the deferrals from passing the flight physical, I got balled out by the doctor for not being on HRT. He's not TS friendly, not part of the community, but as a doctor he let me know that I was being irresponsible. As far as he was concerned, even if I had everything else lined up, if I was not following a prescribed course of treatment I there was no way I was getting behind the stick. Until I get back on HRT or can get an MD to say I don't need it, I can forget about flying.

Even though I might be peed about the FAA dictating to me what I need to do. It does kind of make sense.

I can deal with some of the issues that were listed, the ones that can be taken care of through seeing a regular MD. I'm kind of worried about the psych ones though. How much crap do you have to go through with a new psych, explaining years worth of garbage, before you can get a letter stating that you are stable living in your current gender role?

The psych thing would totally tick me off if it were not for one little detail. I have kind of admitted recently that here are still a bunch of issues that still haven't dealt with yet. I might not be depressed or anything, but I'm still hiding. Why? Its more than not offering personal TMI stuff to people. I'm making bad decisions that impact my health just to hide. That's not healthy, so I kind of do need to get into therapy.

I guess I'm going to find out.

I'd love to know if any pilots out there have had similar issues.

Oh, I also found out that there is some kind of FAA board going on right now to come up with ways of dealing with TS pilots. They are putting together official protocols on how to handle it. I really hope that we have an advocate of two involved in that board.

Thanks,

"Grounded" Sunshine

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Guest Donna Jean

Sunshine....

Welcome to the Playground, Sweetheart!

Let me ask you a couple of questions first....OK?

Do you fly as employment? Or just to go for the $100 hamburger?

I've been a pilot, but that was years ago..(I'm 60) ..had time in Cessna 150...152 and 172..

I was also a loadmaster in the Air Force on C-130's and C-141's...So, I've had my share of flight physicals!

Flew all over 'Nam in C-130's in 1969-70

Personally, I fail to see the problems with being Trans and flying ...with or without T...

After all, men fly and women fly and everyone in between!

I saw a girl in a video that got her license and she was born without arms(flew an Aerocoupe...no rudder controls) Flew with her feet..radio and all!..In WWII Bader flew Spitfires against the Germans without legs!

At what stage are you in your transition, Sunshine? I didn't really understand from your post exactly where you are...

We have other pilots...one is Vanna (Snow White) she's in Alaska...she is a chat mod...I'll ask her to stop by and read your letter and see if she has any input....OK?

BTW....you'll need 5 posts to use the "Personal Messenger" so whip up a few more....you have 2 now...

Nice to meet you, Honey!

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

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Guest Sunshine
Let me ask you a couple of questions first....OK?

Do you fly as employment? Or just to go for the $100 hamburger?

At what stage are you in your transition, Sunshine? I didn't really understand from your post exactly where you are...

We have other pilots...one is Vanna (Snow White) she's in Alaska...she is a chat mod...I'll ask her to stop by and read your letter and see if she has any input....OK?

Donna Jean

$100 hamburger type. I'm a Avionics System Analyst. Basically I design avionics for regional jets right now. I also do design work for heavies, but am not even thinking about trying to handle one of those, not yet anyway. It might sound funny but you don't have to know how to fly em to build em... dumb idea in my opinion. So for me, pilot is a way of advancing my career, but I'm not going to get fired because of it. I just want to build better avionics, and be able to get from job to job without going commercial, or driving 20+ hours every few days. Everyplace I work has an airpark nearby...so it is an easy way to get around and still have more time with my kids.

As for as where I am at in my transition. I have been full time for several years now. I had an orchi a few years ago, which is why "not" following HRT is an issue.

I'll be posting more and looking for your friend's input.

Oh... and as far as how much flight time I have right now, I'm not a pilot yet, nothing real, just ultralights. The physical was supposed to be for flight school to get my Private Pilot certificate.

Um side note... you wouldn't happen to know of anyone in the TS community that is going to Sun N Fun this year would you?

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Guest Donna Jean
Um side note... you wouldn't happen to know of anyone in the TS community that is going to Sun N Fun this year would you?

No, but, I'd LOVE to be able to go....

But, unfortunately I can't...

I worked in aviation for about 25 years...mostly general aviation aircraft parts sales...Had my own parts business for 8 years...

I sold Goodyear all the parts that they used to overhaul the engines on their blimp fleet! That was fun...I still have a chocolate blimp in my freezer....LOL

And I never missed the Cleveland National Airshow for years....never got to Oshkosh, though!

Hey, Astro Liz lives in Fla....works for NASA...She might be interested!

Get your 5 posts and we can talk about it....OK?

LOVE

Donna Jean

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Guest sarah f

Welcome to Laura's Sunshine. I don't see why they are giving you such a hard time to just get into flight school. Come on you are not flying jets or commercial airplanes. I don't think this is fair to you. I am sorry that you are having to go through this just because of being TS. I hope you get in soon.

Love,

Sarah F

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Guest Sunshine
I don't see why they are giving you such a hard time to just get into flight school. Come on you are not flying jets or commercial airplanes. I don't think this is fair to you.

I hate saying this because in my case it kind of works against me, but by making me jump through extra hoops, the doctor I went to and the FAA people he contacted are actually doing a good job. Also, in a way it is actually supportive of the TS community.

Considering how many TG individuals suicide because they are not dealing with their issues, it makes sense. The FAA is not saying that I can't fly. They are just saying that I have to get proper treatment before they will let me. If this viewpoint were held by more companies, businesses, government organizations, and individuals, fewer of our brothers and sisters would die.

grumble... forcing me to deal with things is irritating, but I honestly think I will be healthier for it.

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Guest Bob_MTx

Hello Sunshine,

I was an active pilot from 74 to 96 (private ASEL). I remember reading an article in th AOPA Pilot magazine in the 90's about Bob Hoover (from airshow fame) getting his medical pulled and how he got it back. His seemed a bit political (for 'psychology' reasons) but I recall that you do not want to get nasty with these guys. They have no one to answer to and are happy to be cautious ...and they are in no rush. I will try to find the article and get back with any more details. Good luck.

Sincerely,

Susan

susan57 on the chats

ps. thank you for the reply to my intro. I will get back to you

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Guest snow white

Dear Sunshine,

<<< hug >>>

What a can of worms :lol:

I've been a pilot in Alaska for over 30 years now; I have mostly flown air taxi part 135.

Here's what happened to me :(

First of all I like so many pilots was afraid to get the proper help, because I was always afraid of the FAA.

As you know all visits to all health professionals have to be reported to them.

I finally decided go on hormones, and I self medicated for 2 and a half years. I know it is the wrong thing to do, but I was afraid of what the FAA would do to me , and I have to say My worries were not totally unfounded.

I finally realized that if I wanted to go forward with transition I had to come clean.

I went to a therapist and got a letter for hrt, and took it to my Medical Examiner, and he wrote me a script for a whole year, and told me it wouldn't a problem with my upcoming medical.

Shortly after that he called me and informed me that I could no longer exercise my medical certificate.

I went in the next month for my 1st class medical, I was told by my medical examiner that I had to check the box that said that I have a "Mental Disorder". I was then denied my medical by the flight surgeon in Oklahoma City, they said that I had to provide them with all of the records from my therapist, and my MD who was also my Medical examiner.

I provided them with all of that, and then they denied me saying that I had a neurological disorder, and required me to undergo complete neurological cognitive testing with a PSYD.

I guess they thought I was brain damaged.

Anyway I completed all that and sent them the report, which by the way stated that GID was not a Mental Disorder.

It took two months and they finally called it a medical condition and issued me a special issuance medical certificate. They gave me a letter that stated that I have GID and I had to carry it when ever I fly, and also present it to my medical examiner.

Well I thought the hassle was over. I was up for my medical last December, and once again it had to go to Oklahoma City for approval, this time they sent me a letter saying that they were waiting for supporting documentation from my Dr , but would not say what that was. I asked my DR and he told me that he sent everything to them. Finally after two and a half months I got my special issuance medical certificate last week with another letter that I have to carry that states that I have GID.

They are now requiring me to additionally submit complete electrolyte panels for all future medical certificates.

Any way I'm kind of scared to go back and see my therapist anymore, cause I feel that what ever I say will be used against me. I mean if I say I'm depressed, I worry that the Feds will find out and revoke my medical for good. It is a bad deal cause they can require you to submit everything to them if you want your medical.

Anyway I hope your experience is better that mine, it is my understanding that the Feds are not standardized with how they are dealing with this.

:wub: vanna

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Guest Sunshine
Any way I'm kind of scared to go back and see my therapist anymore, cause I feel that what ever I say will be used against me. I mean if I say I'm depressed, I worry that the Feds will find out and revoke my medical for good. It is a bad deal cause they can require you to submit everything to them if you want your medical.

Anyway I hope your experience is better that mine, it is my understanding that the Feds are not standardized with how they are dealing with this.

:wub: vanna

I rally have less to loose, so I'm going to make myself a test case in being very open an honest about everything.

Good or Bad, I'm going to document what happens to put it out there to help other TG pilots.

I rally wish I knew who is representing us in the board meetings that they are having to come up with an ME official protocal. All I know is that they are meeting right now.

If the FAA puts something down in black & white we can hold ME's accountable to following it. Also if it is prejudicial without cause we can file suit to get it ammended.

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