Mate
I had full-on cadio-thoracic surgery at 30 and 3 years later CASA have lifted all restrictions from my medical and I am starting a career in RPT (better late than never).
One of my students (now moderator of the North American forum on PPRuNe) topped his screening for RAN flight crew in 1999 and was t-boned from his motorcycle on the last day. He had three or four years recovering in no-man's land but is now a captain on CRJ's in the States.
CASA can be difficult but more usually that is at the flight ops end, where pilots are given a Lawyer's job. At CASA medical you will find a group of dedicated professionals who know their job and know their stuff, and do the right thing 99% of the time.
Go and book a Class 1 medical examination on Monday and you will settle all your doubt once and for all.
...and
Reverseflowkeroburner, the Captain Hook you speak of isn't Robert the ex-SAS trooper is it? Often wondered what happened to him.....
