Originally Posted by
Radgirl
I would always be careful about accepting something reported in a news article at face value, but it is probable the psychiatrist was just that - a psychiatrist and not a AME or DAME. It is very common for surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists etc of the highest calibre to give a report saying a pilot is fit to fly but for the pilot not to be given a medical simply because a consultant not involved in aviation is not trained as to the requirements. The DAME or AME is not in many cases a consultant or specialist in that field but is trained to interpret the Authority's requirements, so the psychiatrist may simply be wrong. Indeed it is possible the DAME sent the report to CASA whose own psychiatrist reviewed it and the Authority then issued the medical.
Not trying to engage in a game of Top Trumps re. medical roles and the hierarchies within, but I'd say the advice of a psychiatrist on mental health issues for pilots beats the AME. Whilst the AME is an expert on all matters of aviation, for example the factors pertaining to vision, spatial awareness, cardiovascular function, respiratory function in a potentially hazardous environment (rapid cabin depressurization), etc. their knowledge and understanding in relation to psychiatry is less.
If the AME referred the pilot for cardiovascular investigations and they showed an underlying arrhythmia, the AME could choose to suspend the Class 1 medical, because their would be an increased risk. If the same AME referred to a psychiatrist because there were psychological concerns and these showed a risk, the AME would seriously have to explain why they did not accept the opinion of their colleague.