Whats does CAA think of Hydronephrosis for Medical?
This might be a biggy... but hopefully someone can help before I make a decision to waste money. - Hopefully this is the right place to post.
Firstly, I am looking to go for a Medical Class 1 Certificate before I start flying as I would like to get the class 1 over and done with rather than get a PPL on class 2 and then find out I cannot get a class 1. However I have doubts in my head for my conditions I have.
When I was born, I had hydronephrosis due to PUJ on both kidneys. I also had Patent Ductus Arteriosus and Ventricular Septal Defect which both were success fully closed spontaneously according to my records. Also had Scoliosis which I still have.
Few years later I had total nephrectomy on my right kidney with severe hydnephrosis on my left kidney. Had the right kidney removed.
I had to have a Pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction operation at the age of 5 to place a stent in the left kidney. Then later on had that removed when I was 6.
I have no history of any hypertension and have compensatory hypertrophy.
Then when I was 9 they detected a different PDA on my heart which was surgically closed at the age of 11. And then got discharged form there for my heart.
Been under the care of paediatrician for all my conditions until I was 18 and then got moved to urologist for adults. Currently I am 20 and have no reoccurring UTI's (last one was so long ago I can't even remember it). My doctor thinks I only need to see him every 2 years.
I had an operation for my scoliosis when I was 13 and went back in about a year and half ago to have 2 of the screws out. I see him every 1 year now.
I know the only people who would tell me for definite would be people from the CAA. But with those conditions, I don't want to risk it and waste the money to find out if I will get a failure.
The CAA states:
"(d) Renal/Urological surgery
(1) Applicants who have undergone a major surgical operation on the urinary tract or the urinary apparatus involving a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of its organs should be assessed as unfit for a minimum period of three months or until such time as the effects of the operation are no longer likely to cause incapacity in flight. After other urological surgery, a fit assessment may be considered if the applicant is completely asymptomatic and there is minimal risk of secondary complication or recurrence.
(2) An applicant with compensated nephrectomy without hypertension or uraemia may be considered for a fit assessment.
(3) Applicants who have undergone renal transplantation may be considered for a fit assessment if it is fully compensated and tolerated with only minimal immunosuppressive therapy after at least 12 months. Applicants may be assessed as fit with a multi-pilot limitation.
(4) Applicants who have undergone total cystectomy may be considered for a fit assessment if there is satisfactory urinary function, no infection and no recurrence of primary pathology. Applicants may be assessed as fit with a multi-pilot limitation."
Im looking for people who have similar problems or previously had these problems. As when I read the CAA medical terms, my kidney seems to be in working conditions for their requirements for an unrestricted class 1.
For part 1 it seems I've gone way over the 3 months.
Part 2 I have compensatory hypertrophy which basically is compensatory nephrectomy.
Part 3 I have not had a transplantation.
Part 4 I have not undergone total cystectomy.
Anyway hopefully there are people who have had similar problems who could help.
Right so here is the question:
What would my chances of an Unrestricted Class 1 Medical be?
My local AME states as long as there is proof that my PDA and VSD has been resolved medically then the CAA would want the proof and wouldn't be a problem. The Scoliosis wouldn't be a problem either providing my movement isn't affected to a point where I couldn't operate an aircraft. I would get a class 2 easy enough apparently.