Asthma (Appeal)
Originally Posted by Aerouk
All I'm asking is that those who are clear of Asthma are given the chance to prove they are at the same level as any other potential aircrew recruit.
You might be able to run up a hill better than any other aircrew applicant, but when you look at the cost of the training system, someone with a history of asthma is simply a bigger risk. In a system with so many applicants for every post, why take the chance?
If you were misdiagnosed, get it fixed. If you had asthma, sorry, but you can't join, and wibbling about it being "unfair" won't help anyone!
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Right, let me clear one thing up chap... I asked a perfectly reasonable question and some people kindly offered advice. This is not a place for you to rant at someone who has said something that offends your more sensitive impatient side. Yes, some people write immotively, but they merely have a common interest or problem, that they possibly can't express in a better way. So they fill this is a good place to discuss it. They don't intend to upset nor aggrevate anyone, therefore do not deserve to have someone with a clear lack of knowledge around military aviation, have a random 'rant' at them in such a poorly, unsensitive manner. You offer no advice or words of wisdom. In future please read the initial post and reply to that if you have something relevant to input into the thread. May I add, 'if' is the operative word in that sentence. Please consider an aggressive reply as all I have pointed out are true misgivings on your part, that I'm sure you'll see, if you are somewhat reasonable, that you could possibly avoid in the future. Luckily I have a fruitful career in aviation, some being military and your words do not deter me from using this site as there are many interesting people on here.
May I also say thank you for everyone who has contributed in a positive manner, whether being the bearers of bad or good news.
Thank you.
May I also say thank you for everyone who has contributed in a positive manner, whether being the bearers of bad or good news.
Thank you.
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Originally Posted by Aerouk
I've actually spoken to the Secretary of State and the RAF High Command about this and neither were willing to budge on the matter. I've spoken to aviation doctors, asthma specialists, military medical doctors (from other countries) and they've all said the policy is ridiculous. The US Air Force doesn't seem to have any issue with it either so I really don't understand why the RAF do. I think they use it to cut down the number of applications, which isn't right in my opinion.
If you had suffered from cancer you would have a better chance of joining the RAF than someone who has had mild asthma. I had a mate who suffered from serious lung issues as a child, but the RAF put him through loads of medical tests and he was cleared. If you have Asthma they wouldn't even bother doing those exams.
The Navy have been much more helpful though.
If you had suffered from cancer you would have a better chance of joining the RAF than someone who has had mild asthma. I had a mate who suffered from serious lung issues as a child, but the RAF put him through loads of medical tests and he was cleared. If you have Asthma they wouldn't even bother doing those exams.
The Navy have been much more helpful though.
Aerouk, did your mate apply for an Aircrew role?
A search also revealed this: Asthma in military aviators: safe flying is possible. - PubMed - NCBI
Are there any other significant air forces in the world who take such a dim view of aircrew applicants with a history of asthma? Or is it just the RAF?
Last edited by Typhoon93; 28th Oct 2014 at 20:43. Reason: Spelling!
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When compared to mild asthma symptoms as a child, I'm inclined to agree.
There is a lot of evidence out there that shows permanent lung scaring, and in many cases quite severe scarring for heavy, long term smokers...but you can "grow out" of asthma. My history with cancer sticks is many times more likely to stop me getting in to the Service than my past 'history'
of asthma, as my lungs are healthy now, and considering I rarely used my inhalers when I had them, I'm doing OK!
Asthmatics, and I mean people with 'proper' Asthma, need to use a preventer every day and a reliever when they need it. I didn't do that! So I think my GPs have been talking b*llocks and it's something I need to get sorted and cleared off my history. Has anybody been considered for Aircrew in these circumstances?
There is a lot of evidence out there that shows permanent lung scaring, and in many cases quite severe scarring for heavy, long term smokers...but you can "grow out" of asthma. My history with cancer sticks is many times more likely to stop me getting in to the Service than my past 'history'
of asthma, as my lungs are healthy now, and considering I rarely used my inhalers when I had them, I'm doing OK!Asthmatics, and I mean people with 'proper' Asthma, need to use a preventer every day and a reliever when they need it. I didn't do that! So I think my GPs have been talking b*llocks and it's something I need to get sorted and cleared off my history. Has anybody been considered for Aircrew in these circumstances?
