I learned a lesson.  I've always had Class 1 medicals since I was a teen, just because.   I never thought about it.    I'm 55 now.  When I turned 50 I had EKG tracings as part of Class 1 and never had a problem.  This past May I had 2 PVCs show up on the chart (premature ventricular contractions) which by themselves is not necessarily a problem.  I was told by the AME that FAA allows 3 per minute and the chart was submitted.  You know the result.   It is now Dec-2010, 7 months later and I still can't fly.  The FAA requested an intensive 2-day nuclear trace with CT scanning, treadmill and EKG tracings and eventually I had the medical pulled in July pending these test results.   Back in Canada this summer I was able to get the tests done for free in August (no political statement being made here) under our provincial health care plan.  It took a month before I realized the data was not sent to the FAA by my local doc so I had to go back and request copies of DVDs of imaging, photocopies of all EKGs and submit them to Oklahoma City myself.  Through the months of September, October and November the data sat in transit and then at FAA pending "security clearance", inbox processing, evaluation and finally (after calling every day) I received another letter Dec-13 requesting an Echocardiagram for further information.  I did that this week up in Jax for $220 cash.  In both clinics there was no problem identified.  The FAA continues to tell me that my medical is not denied but it will not yet reissue the certificate.  Requesting a 3rd class at this point will not work either.   AOPA is assisting.   My lesson is that if you don't need a class 1, then don't bother.  When I told my friends they laughed when they found I had applied for a Class 1.  AOPA said it was an invitation for trouble as well.  Why am I the last to know this stuff? Maybe this will help someone in the future.

Paul M
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