Originally Posted by Aerouk
I've actually spoken to the Secretary of State and the RAF High Command about this and neither were willing to budge on the matter. I've spoken to aviation doctors, asthma specialists, military medical doctors (from other countries) and they've all said the policy is ridiculous. The US Air Force doesn't seem to have any issue with it either so I really don't understand why the RAF do. I think they use it to cut down the number of applications, which isn't right in my opinion.
If you had suffered from cancer you would have a better chance of joining the RAF than someone who has had mild asthma. I had a mate who suffered from serious lung issues as a child, but the RAF put him through loads of medical tests and he was cleared. If you have Asthma they wouldn't even bother doing those exams.
The Navy have been much more helpful though.
Firstly, I apologise for the massive thread resurrection, however most aviation searches come up with PPRuNe threads!
Aerouk, did your mate apply for an Aircrew role?
A search also revealed this:
Asthma in military aviators: safe flying is possible. - PubMed - NCBI
Are there any other significant air forces in the world who take such a dim view of aircrew applicants with a history of asthma? Or is it just the RAF?