Medical Issue.
Hey,
Sorry about hijacking this thread but it seems the most know how in DFR is in this thread. I have applied to be a Navy Pilot and have progressed past Pilot Specific Testing. I have recently been diagnosed with arnold chari malformation type 1, informed DFR and provided a specialist report (neurosurgeon). Today I was told over the phone that I am class 4 for Aircrew and will receive this decision in writing. This is contradictory to my Neurosurgeon's professional opinion that the mild case of arnold chari would not affect any aircrew related job. When I talked to DFR in Parramatta when I was just diagnosed, no doctor knew of Arnold Chari Malformation and they looked it up in there books for hours. I am worried that DFR has just deemed it too complicated and decided to just call it class 4 out of laziness. The fact is that Civil Aviation Safety Authority deems Arnold Chari Malformation as a acceptable condition to fly with and you Can be Class 1 Medically Fit in Civil Aviation, I can not understand why DFR gets to ignore all the facts from professionals and accepted standards. Arnold Chari Affects roughly %5-15 of the population and of those people only %20 are ever diagnosed. It was only by chance that I was diagnosed and due to the fact I told DFR about it, I have been disadvantaged. They said I would receive information on how to appeal in the mail. If anyone has gone through the appeal process and could provide me with some tips on what to include in my plea, it would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ben