I'm not a regular reader of this Forum (usually on Private Flying), but came for info on Migraines, which has been an issue with me for the last year.
For my CAA Class 3 Medical in 95, I was honest and declared a childhood history of migraines (reduced by chocolate avoidance!), but some ongoing pre-migraine aura incidents 1-2 times a month (primarily caused by tiredness/ stress/ ironing striped shirts(!)/ flickering fluoresecent lights). These are cured by taking paracetamol at the onset and I have not had a full blown migraine since around 1973. They said they'd refer me to a Neurologist, but nothing ever came of it and I retained my Class 3. About a year after my last renewal of my JAR Class 2, they sudddenly wrote out of the blue and said that seeing as I now had a PPL and 170hrs, they wouldn't take any further action!
In Apr 01, I also started attending an Air Cadet Gliding School, with a view to becoming an Instructor. At my Initial medical in Jul 01, the 'M' word was mentioned and I was refused a medical. I have since been through the appeals process and have been told that I am 'Unfit Solo' on gliders unless a consultant neurologist will declare me clear of migraines.
I visited a neurologist last week (there is one who specialises in General Aviation issues in Edinburgh) to see whether my self-diagnosis of migraines was wrong. He has unfortunately confirmed that I am a migraine sufferer and charged me £240 for the privilege!! I believe that is as far as I can go - he advises me that this will preclude an RAF Medical category for solo, also a CAA Class 1.
I could not possibly encourage anyone to lie on a medical form, but think carefully what you write on them as once the cat is out of the bag, you'll never manage to put it back in!!
