Please Help

[tom checketts]

Dear PPrune users,

I recently applied for the RAF pilot officer scholarship at my local AFCO aware that I have a problem with hayfever and have been told that it is a total dead end after basing many decisions and spending a lot of time on making myself stand out. Is there anything what so ever that I can do? Was letting on about hayfever a mistake? :( Any response would be great.

[SamCaine]

Is there anyone out there amongst the yoof of today who wishes to become a pilot who isn't suffering from some kind of ailment? :uhoh:

[movadinkampa747]

Try Looking here

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=249800&highlight=Hayfever

[SamCaine]

Oh, good luck by the way.

[rusty_y2k2]

If you have been free of hayfever for 4 years and it was never associated with a wheeze then you may be considered for pilot, but there are no guarantees.

What happens in a situation where you have suffered hayfever, but are 4 years clear, is that after you have filled out the hayfever supplement to the medical form it gets sent to Cranwell. You will then receive a letter stating which branches you are considered fit to serve in, and assuming you fit the criterea (4yrs clear, no wheeze) then it should say "fit to serve", "apply and will assess at OASC" or something to that effect.

If you are not 4 years clear or ever had wheeze, I'm sorry but there is absolutely no chance whatsoever - I know it's probably not what you want to hear, and no life isn't fair! On the other hand consider the Fleet Air Arm, I believe they are somewhat more forgiving in a few areas.


I'll just add that this is all from personal experience, being an ex hayfever sufferer and having previously received said "fit to serve" letter, and having looked into the subject in great depth. On another note, if you are wondering about the reasoning look up barotrauma - that is one of the less obvious reasons as to why it is a potential problem. Having said that I know that there are serving pilots with the condition who "developed" it after joining and it is a shame that the RAF won't budge on such an easily treated condition, but such is the way of things.

[JAG3]

Good Luck and maybe a second opinion from a specialist of some kind would give you some hope.:ok:

[tom checketts]

Thanks everyone, got to find something to do for the next 4 years then I think. any high paid jobs flying jobs going begging?

[FFP]

Thanks everyone, got to find something to do for the next 4 years then I think. any high paid jobs flying jobs going begging?

What flying quals do you have ?

[Gwladys]

Tom. In addition to what has already been said, I've been a pilot for some 13 years now and developed hayfever in the last few years. I eventually mentioned it to the Doc a few weeks ago who prescribed a nasal spray called Nasonex. It has completely cleared up all symptoms.
Doc didn't bat an eyelid when I said 'hayfever' - just can't believe in this day and age that it is a complete show-stopper??!! Hope it all works out for you. :)

[SamCaine]

Thanks everyone, got to find something to do for the next 4 years then I think.

To fill your time why don't you and JAG3 get together and set up a support group for wheezy wannabes? Perhaps he could get you a part time job alongside him at the supermarket. :}

[threepointonefour]

His name escapes me, but there is an RAF aviation specialist at Peterborough District Hospital who deals with asthma and other such ailments - if you can find him, he may be able to help ...

(I think he is a Gp Capt, first name Trevor ??? I think he's also a commercially qual'd pilot and lectures on AvMed)

[tom checketts]

What flying quals do you have ?

I'm afraid to say the only flying quals I have under my belt currently is my Aviation Law exam. tell me what you want and I'll go out and get it!?

Thanks also for the contact in Peterborough. Do you reckon it will be worth seeing him, the RAF said there's nothing they can do what so ever for another 4 years minimum?

[threepointonefour]

I'd suggest getting a PPL and seeing every consultant in the land. The 4yrs might well be a hard fast rule, but you might as well be fully prepared for the potential 'fight' when the 4 yrs is up.

[228 OCU]

Don't try this (I've got to say that), but you could do what I did... Start smoking (in through the mouth, out through the nose). Killed my hayfever in no time at all :=

[SirToppamHat]

tom checketts and three point one four

Check your PMs for the name of the chap at Peterborough.

STH

[tom checketts]

Cheers for the contact will try and track him down. Already started down the PPL path getting on for half way there ish. Is there anything besides cadets, sports leadership activities that I could be doing to stand out more? Does anyone know off the top of their heads the minimum amound of hours for a CPL?

[FFP]

Either go for RAF pilot or go down CPL route. Otherwise you'll find yourself spending a lot of money on the qual which will then mean very little for the RAF application.