Returning to flying after a brain tumour

[bertha]

Help, I need some advice.
I had been flying commercially for 8 years when I was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma grade 3 on 27 July 2000. As a direct result of the brain tumour I experienced 6 tonic clonic seizures. All seizures occured while I was sleeping at 7am. After a course of radiotherapy I was given the "all clear" on 1 August 2001. I am in excellent health and have not had a seizure in 12 months. I want to return to flying commercially, and can see no reason
why my medical should not be renewed. I have not yet approached the CAA. I have spoken to pilots who have had their medical's renewed after suffering strokes, brain haemorrhages, and similar neurological illnesses and I see myself as no different. Can anyone please give me some advice, partically from those who have been through a similar plight.
Cheers
bertha

[grounded1]

Bertha, I would get in touch with the Doctors at the CAA as soon as possible and find out what they require. Don't disclose your consultants details at this point. Go back to the consulants and see if they will recommend the things that the CAA want to hear. If they will not provide the things the CAA want to hear then find different consultants. The first thing really is to know what hoops you have got to jump through! I wish you luck, I lost my medical four years ago. I hope to get it back someday!!!

[ABBOT]

Talk to CAA bertha, I know of a case in early 90's were a class one was lost for over a year. It took six months of assessment and a year with an 'as or with qualified co-pilot' endorsement before it was fully restored. The sooner you ask, the sooner the process starts. Try +44208 953 1882. ;)

[bertha]

Thank you Abbot and grounded1. You have given me the impetus to get "the ball rolling".You have been an unmeasurable help, thanks!
bertha

[Max Torque]

Just wanted to back up grounded1: Make absolutely sure what the CAA requirements are and get your consultants to document that you comply with these requirements before you take it up with the CAA. The requirements will be in the JAR’s – if clarification is required, ask the CAA through a cut out (a lawyer if necessary) for their opinion and get it in writing. Make sure the consultants use the language from the JAR’s. I know somebody who had a stroke, got their medical back, but the process was delayed because of the way it was written. Once it was re-written, it was no problem. Took a while though.
Do not solicit the CAA’s (and their doctors’ ;) opinion – they are a regulator, not a consultancy. Our job is therefore to comply with their regulations, nothing more. Make sure you fit in all their boxes and then go and do your medical.
Good luck.

[727 exec]

Bertha,
Having just got back my Class One (ok...with a multi-crew restriction, but a JAA Class One all the same!, I thought that my stroke meant the end of my flying career.
When I had the stroke two years ago, I took myself out of flying service, didn't renew my medical, didn't speak to the CAA - but launched off down the medical 'fix-it' route.
Only after exhaustive tests and a bakers dozen of consultants and specialists, did my AME write to the CAA with an update...
I was amazed to have the Acting Head of Aeromedical at the CAA call me to offer help - and to admonish me for not talking to them sooner. He wanted to re-assure me that things had changed over the last few years.
I saw another consultant at the CAA (no charge)and, a few weeks later, received the piece of paper that I thought I'd never see ever again.
So - every case is different, but talk to the Aeromedical people at the CAA...they helped get me my life back. Now if I could just find a job....!!!

[Max Torque]

727exec: Great to hear that you are flying again. Maybe the aero med people at your CAA have a different mind set than the people I have had the pleasure to run into. Maybe you ought to supply the name of that aero med officer to our friend here and he can have a talk to this guy.
Must be a confusing situation. Some say yea, some say nay. I would still have the consultants run up something that dovetails with the JAR's before I took it to the CAA, but then once bitten, twice shy.
Good luck to all.

[bertha]

Hi 727 exec.
Delighted to hear that you have returned to flying. Well done! I would appreciate it, if you could supply the names of the consultants and CAA aero med doctors that made the return of your medical possible. My email is listed. many thanks and congratulations
bertha