Officially a student pilot

I got my 3rd class medical and student certificate today. I think one of the reasons I've put off flying lessons for so long was FUD about getting the medical. It turned out to be relatively quick and painless. I got a recommendation for an AME from my flight instructor, so I finally decided I'd get off the fence and go for it.

I really wasn't quite sure what to expect from the medical exam, but it mostly seemed to be pretty standard stuff: height, weight, pee in a cup, blood pressure, check eyes/ears/mouth/throat, read from eye charts including near/far vision and color blindness exam. Then the doc had me take off my shirt and lie on the table while he felt around my abdomen. Finally, the most unpleasant, the old "drop your pants, cover your mouth and cough" routine guys hate.

With all that over, I had one little hoop to jump through. The AME couldn't issue my medical certificate immediately because I disclosed that I had taken a certain medication several years ago. I would need a letter from my doctor confirming I was no longer taking the medication for at least the past year. As long as I got a letter to the AME within two weeks they could submit everything together to the FAA and issue my certificate. If I took longer, they'd have to submit the application in deferred status, and I'd have to send my doctor's letter separately and wait for the FAA to review and issue the certificate, which was likely to take months. 

Luckily for me, my doctor from back then is a friend and fellow computer nerd. When I got back to work I found him on IM, so I chatted him and asked for the letter. An hour or two later his office faxed it to me and I made arrangements to drop it off at the AME's office that same afternoon and pick up my certificate.

The moral of the story is to make sure you've got everything lined up before you go get your medical exam. I had the feeling I was going to have a little trouble due to that old prescription. I should have called the medical advisory folks at AOPA in advance so I could go to the AME prepared with the necessary documentation. 

In the big scheme of things though, it all worked out pretty smoothly. I managed to get my medical/student pilot certificate in hand the same day with only minor hassle. I think I surprised the AME and his staff at how quickly I got the letter to them. I wanted it pretty bad by that point. Now I'm officially a student pilot, so it was all worth it.