A very serious question regarding future employment

[tony norman]

Hello all,

I'm more of a reader than a poster so you probably won’t know me.

My history is PPL with class 2, 75 hours and a right leg below knee amputation.

I am booked in for a Class 1 soon, the leg isn’t a problem as I have been cleared for that already. Should I pass, which I hopefully will, I am planning to pursue a career in commercial aviation.

Quite frankly, my wife is worried that I will spend all that money, spend all that time studying and then building hours..... Then have my hopes and love dashed as the airlines will chose an able bodied pilot over me as the choice is in their favour with the amount of trained pilots around.

I know about the disability laws; I know what employers can do and cant do (I was one until one month ago). But what is to stop them saying that someone else with a better CV then me got the job when it was really down to my leg.

I have to be honest, the whole idea has consumed me so much that I didn’t really stop and think about that.

I don’t mind working small carrier, Biz AV, airlines, freight etc as all I want to do is earn a living flying.....

My Question is this.

What do are your thoughts on this matter?

I'd like to canvas a few people on this.

Your comments and questions are welcomed

Thank you

[scooby79]

If you get a class one and don't have any limitations that would make it hard for an employer I don't see any reason why you wouldn't stand as much chance as anyone else getting a job. Be prepared to put in a lot of effort building time and getting that first job but as long as you are capable and come across as a descent guy in the interviews you will be OK. Not saying it will be easy as it is hard for almost everyone to get employment with low hours. I personally think you will do better than most as you are open to the idea of flying something other than an airliner and will look at other options.

[Whirlygig]

It may be that a prospective employer would require you to take a company medical.

Cheers

Whirls

[matt_hooks]

Amanda, getting past the CV stage probably won't be a problem. The problem might come at interview time, not much you can do to hide a lower leg amputation when you're sitting across the table from someone.

As for it being a problem, well, as long as you can pass a class 1 medical, and prove that you are capable of evacuation safely in the event of an emergency then you stand as good a chance as any of us low hours bods.

Good luck and happy flying! :)

[airborne_artist]

Try asking BALPA - while you might be the first ab initio amputee -> ATPL, I doubt you'd be the first amputee with an ATPL - there's bound to have been some poor guy/gal who was already an ATPL and had a bike crash/similar, and then had to prove he/she was fit to continue in their job.

[Halfwayback]

I believe that bmiRegional have a Captain on the EMB with an amputated leg - however I do not know the extent of the amputation.

If you have the Medical and the qualifications then there can be no objections. It could even be the reverse - admiration for someone who has extra difficulties to surmount which shows determination and ability!

Go for it!

HWB

[preduk]

It's a hard one, being in HR and Employment Law myself the legislation is there to protect you however I have known companies to make up an excuse to by pass such legislation.

My opinion would be to contact BALPA and see if you can get contact details of other amputee pilots. I'm sure they would be able to inform you of the difficulties and problems they have faced in the flying business.

[sollas]

Sir Douglas Bader was a bilateral amputee with trans tibial on one side and trans femoral on the other as far as I'm aware, and he flew operational flights in WW2. I'm sure there will be other pilots who are amputees as well.

I would think that passing the class one which is the standard medical requirements would show that your fit to fly. I've been trying to get mine for the past year because of past medical history so I'm sure if they thought there was an issue they would certainly let you know about it.

I agree with amanda, prostheses these days can be quite cosmetic depending on the types of socket/ suspension methods and most people would be hard pushed to spot that you are wearing one whether that's in sitting or in gait pattern.

I wish you well for the future, I think you should go for it. :ok:

[Leeds1972]

Sorry not an educated opinion but personally, i couldn't see how it could hinder you if you have a class 1 medical. As said previously, its very hard for anyone on low hours to get work but as long as you come across as a well in the interview and have the skills necessary then I would say you've got as much chance as the next guy.

Best of luck for the future:ok:

[forget]

Seems to me you're at an advantage. You've reduced your chances of DVT by 50%. Best of luck.

[Adios]

That's a tough one. On one hand, I'd like to think you'd have a fair chance. I don't think an airline would use you as a PR poster child to show how egalitarian they are though. The public would be split in whether or not they would accept this if they knew airline XYZ had a pilot with such a disability. If you have a good enough prosthetic to hide this in the interview and sim check, this would give the airline some re-assurance that the passengers are not likely to notice. If you don't reveal it until after these hurdles, you take the chance of alienating them. There's always the next one though.

Another thing to research though is whether or not it will hinder your post employment training, such as using the emergency slides and any swim qualifications needed.

[tony norman]

thanks for all your comments and advice, it is all very encouraging.

fingers crossed for the medical then!

[Farrell]

"not much you can do to hide a lower leg amputation when you're sitting across the table from someone."

Matt: Most people wouldn't notice.

Most company websites would state "must hold a valid JAA Class 1 medical" on criteria for employment.

As our friend has been given the all clear for the Class 1, it is suffice to say that the medical professionals at Gatwick feel that his amputation is not a factor for flight.

If the candidate is mobile and can get themselves off of a plane in an evacuation situation then he is perfectly capable of doing the job.

I really don't see it being an issue for any airline. It really makes no difference to flight performance.

Hats off to our friend! Good luck and I hope you will come back on here in 18 months with your right hand seat.

[preduk]

Farrell your opinion is officially correct, but no necessarily the case.

There will be some limitations, even if they very little, that an employer may look down on (wrongly) and therefore I would highly recommend getting the advice from other people who have been there and got the t-shirt.

My personal opinion is that you should go ahead with the training. If you can pass a Class 1 and have no problem accessing smallish cockpits then go for it! Those that refuse you on the basis of your amputation don't deserve to have you in the first place. :ok:

[tony norman]

hats off to the CAA, they did do a bit of ground work with me before charging for the medical. I had to demonstrate that I could evacuate a simulated passenger from a PA28 whilst in the left hand seat. They wouldnt even book my medical until I had that signed off by a CFI.

[Arfur Feck-Sake]

Not sure if Halfwayback and I are thinking of the same person, but BMI Mainline have a First officer with a below-the-knee amputation. When it happened (as a result of a commercial airliner crash), he was already an experienced pilot with the company. I understand that the limitation on his class 1 medical prevents him from being considered for command.

[tony norman]

interesting....

I know my class 2 is restricted to fly only with approved prothesis

i,e cant fly without leg

[doctordoom]

Go for it Tony it never stoped Douglas Bader and he had a leg less, I think it mite give you more of an advantage looking for a job, it show's how much commitment you have toward's flying. Noting ventured noting gained :ok: Best of luck

[The Lead Sparrow]

This is just a bit of encouragement for you.

I used to work as cabin crew on 747. In the company there was a Captain, I wont give his name but he was a very remarkable pilot. A training Captain, previously employed by the CAA. He had flown all kinds of aircraft all over the world. When I first saw him, lets call him Richard, he was walking through an airport, he clearly found walking difficult, every step was a large effort. I later found out he had broken his back in an accident prior to a career in aviation. The doctors had told him he would never walk again. Good job he was a stubborn sort, he would have missed out on a great career and a great life.

The one advantage Richard had was he could really fly planes, every other pilot respected his ability.

The great thing about aviation is it doesn´t matter how much money you have, who your father is, what school you went too, no amount of bull**** will land the dam thing.

Go for it, if you can fly, you can fly, when you go for a sim test with an airline and your up against a bull****ter with two legs, if you can land it they will choose you.:ok:

[Airbus 11]

Dont let something like a leg injury get in the way of your dreams

[hollingworthp]

Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside to see such positive responses to a great question. :ok:

[Adios]

I asked a friend who is a Training Captain what he thought of this and he said "If he was an experienced pilot who lost a leg he could keep flying but he doubted a newbie would have much chance." That's only one data point, but he's probably a bit closer to recruitment than many of those responding here with "Go for it" including myself.

[roll_over]

Well they could either hold it against you, or it may be a positive, I mean, it would show great determination to battle through that to get to your dream job.

As suggested contact BALPA or speak to some recruitment pilots in another part of the forum. Good luck!