"Odd-Ball" Q for an

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[flavio]

I am sure that something can be done. I have two real life examples of two situations I think you will identify a bit with:

1. Was waiting for my instructor to land with the group she went up with, so we could work on my crosswind landings. An 11 year old girl was flying left seat. She flew almost the whole time, obviously within legal boundaries. So i do believe that with a CFI you can go up on the left seat and learn things. But like you pointed out, you just might not be able to get the FAA medical, in which case you would never be able to solo.

anyhow,

2. Found out about an ex cop who used to take some sort of drug to help him sleep. Turns out that it was baned by the FAA, in any case, they required him to take psychological evaluations and therapy, but once he completed that, he was able to resume with his medical.

so, bottom line is if you want left seat time, thats easy. Just find an instructor, tell them your situation, and I bet they will be more then happy to teach you about flying, but keep in mind, I dont know the exact legalities of your situation, what's waiverable and what's not. So it could turn out that all you can do is go up with an instructor and not go past the 'discovery' flight kinda thing, but you could still learn the maneuvers, navigation, etc. so long as the instructor is always there.

Hope that gives you some hope. Wait till someone with more knowledge and experience chips in, im just a student pilot as of right now!

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  Thanks Flavio. I fall in the second category - Former U.S. Marine, Desert Storm. I haven't slept much in 16 years, and when I do, I'll just say, there's nothing sweet about my dreams. I commonly stay up for days at a time, even with sleep meds, therapies, etc. I just stay wired...

Semper Fi, Dave

[DaveSims]

It is perfectly legal to go up with an instructor all you want for lessons, and I'm sure you would be find an instructor sympathetic to your cause.  As Flavio stated though, without a medical you would not be able to solo, which is a huge part of the PPL course.  If you wanted, I would recommend contacting the AOPA's medical division to see what options you have for obtaining a medical.  Sometimes it is as simple as changing medications or getting a waiver.  You would be amazed at the knowledge they have of the medical process.  I am willing to bet you aren't the first PTSD patient with a passion for flying.  

As for if it is worth it to do it, that is entirely up to you.  If you like to fly, and will don't mind spending the money on the instructor for that chance, go for it.  

While I may never be a Marine, I will always hold those who are in the utmost respect.  Semper Fi

[DaveSims]

I just noted you are in Mandeville.  I grew up in Picayune and most of my family still lives in the area.  Very small world.

[Mobius]

I can see no reason why it wouldn't be legal for you to fly all you want as long as you have an instructor with you.  I'm sure there are loads of instructors out there willing to fly with you whenever you want if you were to explain your situation.  

As long as you can convince whoever you're flying with you'll be safe up there and they are fully aware that they are pilot in command and responsible for everything that happens while both you are flying and they are flying, there should be no legal issue as far as I can see after a (very) brief glance at the FARs.

Heck, most of flight training happens with the instructor not even touching the controls during the entire flight, so I see no reason why you couldn't go and learn all the techniques you wanted to learn and fly as much as you wanted with an instructor.

Just out of curiosity, have you spoken to an aviation medical examiner about whether or not you can legally fly on your own?

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  Many thanks for the comments and ideas.

  I have never talked to a flight sergeon before, but at some point, I got my hands on a FAA list of disqualifing meds, which I take four different banned meds.

  I have spoken with several private pilots in my area, and they all seem to agree that I would be banned from flight with my current meds and condition. I have also spoken with several military pilots from both Gulf Wars and Afganistan, and they all knew exactly what I have been experiencing and admitted they have the same or simular problems. But, they made it a point to say that they really need to watch what they say, and basically keep their mouth shut about it, during their debriefs, psych evals, and especially the around the flight sergeons, or their careers, as pilots, would be over.

  I haven't tried making contact with AOPA, but it's definately a good idea, and I will make contact with them. I did the same with my SCUBA safety agency (Divers' Alert Network, DAN) and came to my own conclusion that the risk is just too great. But flying puts an opposite physiological affect on the human body than SCUBA, so, AOPA might make some suggestions or know of some loop holes. I'll definately do that.

  It is nice to hear that I might have a shot at getting in the left seat and learning everything necessary to be a private pilot. And, I imagine it's more fun if you have a buddy along for the ride anyway.

  Again, thanks for all the ideas, suggestions and kind words. And, I'm still open to any others also. Thanks again!

Semper Fi, Dave

[Brett_Henderson]

I'll just agree with what's been posted.. and add (as a non-current CFI), that I've done that type of "instructing". We had a club member with lung problems.. He absolutely could not ever pass another FAA physical, but we'd go up fairly often. He never logged any of it.. he just wanted to fly... and I was happy to help. I don't think I ever touched the controls with him on board (he was actually a first-rate pilot.. coulda taught me much more than I could have ever taught him (and he did)).

He paid for the airplane, and paid me the instructor's rate (and then some).

Go find an FBO... explain your situation.. you'll have NO trouble finding a CFI who, at the very least, would give you a never-ending intro-flight. You can sign up for ground school too... learn plenty, and meet other aspiring pilots.. And of course.. you can ask questions here, as you go ..

[RitterKreuz]

what about sport pilot training?

you say you are medically disqualified... was this done to you personally because you tried to get a medical or is this your assumption because of what your situation is??

as long as you have never had an FAA medical denied, and you have a valid driver's license you can get a sport pilot license and fly a sport aircraft.

if you have the money or can get the financing to buy a little flight design CT or even an old Piper Cub it might be the answer to getting you into the air

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[DaveSims]

Are you sure about the 152 RG?  I've never heard of such a thing.  Out of curiosity, which airport and FBO were you looking at going to, St. Tammany?  

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[RitterKreuz]

sport pilot is likely your ticket! if you have never gone in for a flight physical your a shoe in. Get hooked up with a sport pilot instructor.

Privileges and limitations of the sport pilot license are:

Privileges:

You may only operate as pilot in command of a sport pilot eligible aircraft*

You may carry no more than one passenger and share expenses (fuel, oil, airport expenses, and aircraft rental);

You may only fly during the daytime using visual flight rules (VFR).

You may fly cross-country anywhere in the U.S. outside of controlled airspace

You may fly up to but not higher than 10,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

You may fly into controlled airspace with appropriate additional training.

Limitations:

Cannot operate in controlled airspace without instructor sign off.

No flights outside the U.S. without prior permission from the foreign aviation authority.

May not tow any object.

May not operate the aircraft in furtherance of business or for compensation or hire.

as long as you have a drivers license... your golden

[Brett_Henderson]

You all know how I feel about Sport Pilot licenses... so I won't get into that

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  Hmmm.... Both points are well made and well taken. And both arguements are exciting and sobering. This is an easy a choice for me, as I had to make with SCUBA though - safety first, period.

  Even though the possibility exists to solo and is very attractive, being an eternal student is much more comfortable to me. In fact, I'm even considering not teasing myself by doing that either, and just stay out of the cockpit, do the ground school and work on their FAA approved simulator. Then bring as much of that knowledge home to my sim pit. I could plan realistic flights, and then just execute the "flight" as realistic as the sim allows. I'll let the folks who are fit for duty do their job and I'll continue to do mine (be ready to jump - safely, of course). As I posted above, honesty with oneself is a real b!tch sometimes  :(  8-) It is nice to have, at least, a couple of options available though...

  Thanks for all the good words and info. Feel free to throw some other ideas or options on the table. Many thanks again!  :)

Semper Fi, Dave