The possibility of gaining a Class 1 or 2 medical will depend on:
(i) the initial diagnosis;
(ii) the prognosis/treatment; and
(iii) the assessed risk.
The first two of are diagnositic and treatment based.
Assuming that the issue was clearly identified and a medical solution was applied, the issue is then (iii) assessing the risk of any future episode.
This will depend partially on the expert medical reports and the position of CASA or the relevant regulator.
There have definitely been some successes in the past, but it is very hard to convince CASA that the risk of a neurological / brain issue is not singificant.
With some successes the solution is usually "as, or with, co-pilot", which is common in heart ablation and other generic neurological/cardiac conditions.
Anything to do with the brain is a step up for risk, as it is considered more unpredicable and unstable.
Medical reports need to establish that the cause was identified, the problem was successfully treated and the risk of any future adverse outcomes is negligible or the same as a healthy person.
Don't like CASA's decision? They will want to protect themselves from people asking why they gave a Class (X) medical to a pilot that put a burning hole in the ground with fatalities.
You can go to the AAT but that will be even more difficult in my experience.
So, to prepare yourself, the process would be:
1. Engage a lawyer or your union (AFAP / AIPA) for advice and representation. I would assume that you are not a current union member, so getting long term access to services might be difficult, but they may provide some services.
Legal services will be costly, so be prepared to pay $$$.
1.1 Get fit and healthy. Don;t have any other medical issues. Otherwise present as a perfect physical speciman.
2. Get all your medical history. You will need full disclosure for the regulator, including all medical records, (PBS) medication records and hospital records.
3. Get reports from your specialists - including the ones you have been treating you and an independent expert. Try and go for the highest level, such as the "professor" in the given field of the neurological problem.
You will liekly need to reference research reports on the problem and the effectiveness or treatment.
4. Prepare a detailed submission of all the material and propose an outcome.
5. Expect that any positive outcome will contain conditions ("as or with co-pilot" as noted above) and you should be prepared to accept them;
6. Focus on a process of "graduated return" to Class 1 over a period of time to demonstrate that there is no repetiton or increased risk.
7. Understand that the process might not be economically viable due to the cost.
8. Understand that employers may become aware of the issue (given that conditions may be stated on the medical) and they may be wary of employing you without a detailed explanation.
It is very uncertain territory and the key is providing enough evidence to convince the regulator.
Other issues to consider are:
- How old you are and how muich career do you have left.
- What kind of flying roles are you looking at?
- What kind of alternative non-flying roles would you accept? (i.e. flight ops, simulator and ground training??)
- How much money you have to pour into it.
- If you get a Class 2, would you be happy hiring/buying an aircraft and then flying for pleasure?
Good luck.