Everyday Pilot l Rylee The Hard Work To Become A Pilot 

No drugs were involved and it took over two years and over $10k to get my special issuance. This was for a pituitary issue that had been completely resolved many years earlier. But it required many tests and many specialists and finally an AME who helped me through the process. And that was just for a 3rd class medical. Good for you to persevere.

Wow, Rylee - that is perseverance! I too have a special issuance - 13000 hours later, I'm glad I stuck to it. I will be rooting for you all the way. Good one, Mojo. Congrats on the solo!

If you have ADHD. You have to go through a similar process. Happened with me. It took about 1.5 years to get medical. Glad Rylee stuck through it! She is not wrong about the $3,000 computer test.

I applied for my level 2 medical in February of 23. Took FAA 8 months to get me approved, and they approved me only for level 3 medical. When I finally got my card, I’ve learned that it expires in April of 24. At first I thought I’ll have to start over, but since then I’ve learned that all I have to do is update some information before my card expires. Just pain in the butt, but it’s doable. Anyway what she didn’t mention, you have to start updating processes 60 days before expiration (per FAA). That’s very important piece of information since communication and response time from FAA is about 6 weeks each time they request more paperwork from doctors and sadly they do not request everything at once, which is crazy to me. I had to send extra documents on 4 different occasions after submitting the original paperwork. WoW, watching this video and reading other people stories makes me feel better about my case. I almost gave up on mine. It was so crazy and time consuming, plus days of taking off of work, I almost didn’t sent documents for the 4th FAA request. Then I was like what if that’s a last request and I may get approved. Of If I quit now I’ll never know if they will approve me. So, I did, I sent it to them and I’m glad I did, because sure enough I got approved. If I did quit, I could never fly because I gave up. Instead I chose for FAA to tell me if I can or can’t fly. They said yes, not the level I wanted, but it is good enough for now.

Thank you for sharing your story Rylee! Your sacrifices and open mind led you to where you are now! And thank you for keeping an open mind. You will go far in life !

Congratulations Rylee!!❤🎉

Congrats Rylee! I'm very happy for you! You are an inspiration to everyone. Happy flying, blue skies and tailwind! Airspeed, airspeed... airspeed :-)

I'm glad you talked about the treatment for depression. I did the same thing. I'm healthy again now, but I sure don't regret going on the medication. It helped so much.

Keep striving forward, girl you’re good at it!👍

I'm surprised the flight school didn't know this?? I'm glad they are now educated and can help future students.

About to do my medical I know will be a special issuance been researching for 6 months and this video is actually the most complete info I have gotten. How ever i am confident applying for class 2. In the meantime i will take the sport pilot route which to me is a loop hole ofcourse no medical required and can be an instructor after 150 hours no commercial required and the hours count towards higher ratings. So forward ever backwards ever for me. Good luck Riley you truly inspired me to keep pushing. Like Mike said you the real mvp 💪🏾 I’m ready to do battle for my class 2.

Great story, thanks for sharing. Kudos to Rylee!! With her drive, no doubt she will have a fantastic career!

Im in a similar special issuance situation. I disclosed I have minor anxiety and it just opened up the FAA requesting my entire medical history and going through it with a fine tooth comb asking for details on every medical visit I've ever had - not to mention literally MAILING them information and not hearing anything back for months and months. Im probably going to have to quit flying because of the expense and time. Its a shame because I love flying so much but the FAA makes it so hard and expensive. i already have 130 hours flying - private and instrument rated but it looks like my dream of becoming a commercial pilot is over. Thanks FAA.

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing

Awesome! One of the best videos I've seen for someone looking into aviation with a medical condition! I hope all continues to go great for you Rylee. I'm a type 1 diabetic (on insulin) and have been since I was 1yr old (now in my early 50's). I am in very good health. Flying has always been something I wanted to do but couldn't do (wasn't allowed to - FAA wouldn't allow diabetics when I first looked into it). I recently learned that they changed the rules and diabetics can fly with an SI. I started the medical (already see plenty of specialists) and then learned it could take over a year to get it once all paperwork is submitted. Yes, all those medical costs aren't usually covered by medical insurance (labs etc are 'elective' in the insurance company's eyes) ..The few tests/labs that I did cost a bit (no where near the $3000 for Rylee's one test alone). A local AME said "Why don't you go for sport pilot? No medical needed, just a driver's license." I found a local school that does Sport Pilot training (RV-12's) and started right away. Solo'd just over 1 week ago! I'm not looking to get into commercial at any time, I just want to be in the air enjoying flights and I have loved every second I'm in the airplanes! (local school has a fleet of RV-12's) I am so glad things are going well for Rylee and hope I see her someday when I board a flight (Rylee being the pilot welcoming people as we board). Best wished to you Rylee. Keep that passion and enjoy every second of it!

Was finishing my commercial when the faa suspended my medical due a cardiologist error. Do not ever use any doctor specialists unless he is FAA knowledgeable.

Congratulations

Interesting story. Hav a great week. #salute!!!!

Good for you, Rylee. After learning you want to go “all the way” I can see why you didn’t just go the Sport Pilot route and just use your DL as your “medical”. Would be interesting to hear more about how much it cost etc to go through the process and what if any additional “monitoring” the FAA will require from here on out.

As normal FAA living in the 20's medically still. Sad with all the modern-day knowledge, they still can't get up to date.

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Nice video. Educational and inspirational.

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I need a special issuance as well because of my drug addiction history. Year and a half in and I habe to basically do the same process she had to do. Its going to be expensive and it will be long but I'm determined to get through it.

Make Them Say No! Well Done!!!

Thanks for making this video, Rylee! This proves that the FAA is another horrible government inefficient agency. Hopefully MOSAIC will help with the nonsense!

Her: I rather fly with another woman vs men. Next sentence Her: The men treat me just like everyone else, they're great. What does gender have to do with any of this then?

While the process is tedious, I can understand the reasoning behind the process, especially for situations with antidepressants, anxiety, and mental health. Flying around people's homes and businesses is a big responsibility. The FAA could have a more streamlined and up-to-date process for dealing with these situations.

Freedom... the plane is personal property not for commercial use. No license or insurance needed. Just fly, pay for fuel and keep flying.