flying with asthma

[Chrishammersley]

hi, my name is chris, and i'm extremely interested in becoming an airline pilot. does asthma effect my chances of becoming a pilot, i know it does for military flying, would it be wise to get a medical now, or wait till i am 18? please get back to me, thanks.

[Blinkz]

the first thing you wanna do if your seroiusly thinking about becoming a pilot is to have a lesson! see if you actually like flying hehe. if you like it and wanna go further then checkout the threads around here and see exactly what you are getting yourself into (i.e cost to train, lack of job prospects etc)

if you still wanna do it then yes the first thing you need to do is get a class 1 medical. Without it there is no point in going any further as you would just be wasting your money. The class 1 initial exam is quite expensive (£411 last i checked) but you need it.

good luck

[Circuit Basher]

Non-medically qualified data follows!

The following is an extract from the JAR Medical Standards docment:

From JAR FCL 3 Appendix 2 to Subparts B and C - Respiratory system
(See JAR–FCL 3.155, 3.160, 3.275 and 3.280)
1 Spirometric examination is required for initial Class 1 examination. An FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70% shall require evaluation by a specialist in respiratory disease. For Class 2, a pulmonary peak flow test of less than 80% of predicted normal value according to age, sex and height shall require evaluation by a specialist in respiratory diseases.
2 Applicants experiencing recurrent attacks of asthma shall be assessed as unfit.
(a) Class 1 certification may be considered by the AMS if considered stable with acceptable pulmonary function tests and medication compatible with flight safety (no systemic steroids).
(b) Class 2 certification may be considered by the AME in consultation with the AMS if considered stable with acceptable pulmonary function tests, medication compatible with flight safety (no systemic steroids), and a full report is submitted to the AMS.

This seems quite clear that your peak flow needs to be better than 70% of normal values or else you need to be assessed by a specialist. It seems like taking any form of steroidal medication is not acceptable.

Have a word with your GP / the Belgrano - I've heard of people with one-off attacks or a previous childhood history of asthma that is now resolved being granted medicals.

Good luck!

[Northern Highflyer]

In short, yes you can be a pilot with Asthma. I have the condition and hold a Class 1 medical. However it depends on what type you have, how severe it is, what triggers it off and what medication you are taking.

If you need any further info send me a pm.

NH

[radarcontrol]

Hi Chris,

I recently wrote to the CAA concerned, as you are, about Asthma. I had a nice reply from an Aeromedical advisor telling me that my prescribed medication is acceptable (Salbutamol 100 Micrograms and Beclomethasone 100 micrograms).

The Average peak flow for my age is 610. Last time to the Asthma clinic I blew a 710. The have requested my treating physician to send them a report on my asthma, which is in the process of being done - but I expect it to be fine. I would suggest they will require the same for you.

From the research I've done, as long as your asthma is well controlled on approved medication (inhaled and not orally taken) and you have no recent hospital admissions due to your asthma, you should be fine. I used to have attacks every few days when I was about 4 or 5, now at 21 I barely notice I have asthma at all.

Good Luck!

RC

[Chrishammersley]

thanks for your help, i've never been admited to hospital about my asthma, but would i just book an appointment with my GP for my peak flow rate, and would i have to take that to my medical, or will the people at Gatwick get it from my GP? thanks
Chris

[radarcontrol]

Chris,

What they asked me to do was to go to my GP and ask him to prepare a report on the history of my Asthma. Whether this falls within the NHS purview in terms of costs, I do not know. Certainly the CAA will not pay for it.

I would definately advise you to write to the CAA including a report from your GP (which itself should include your latest peak flow result). Also include a photocopy of your latest precription. You will need to be patient though, it took approximately 3 weeks for them to get back to me - I guess they are busy. I suggest you get the whole process going as soon as possible so if there is going to be any problem, you have time to figure out an alternative plan of action.

You can write to them at the following address:

Safety Regulation Group
Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex RH6 0YR

Good Luck!

RC

[Chrishammersley]

thanks for your help radarcontrol,
the problem is that i've already booked my medical. 16th april. would it be advisable to get a copy of what you said, and take it along to my medical? thanks for your help
Chris.

[wobblyprop]

now 27, was diagnosed with asthma at 11. I passed my class 1 medical about 3 years ago.

My asthma is normally associated with: a cold, some pets and dust. I workout about 3 times a week and don't need an inhaler.

The doctor that, what seemed reluctantly, signed my class 1 said that had i not had the brown inhaler he probably wouldn't have signed me off.

Incidently, this guy Dr Konstantin Buteyko, was recommended to me by a collegue at work. I haven't done the full course but just using some of the techniques my asthma has improved.

buteyko breathing association (http://www.buteyko.btinternet.co.uk/bba/)

[Rusty_207]

I haven't had an inhaler since 1998 but after calling the RAF today got a very ignorant definite no for having a history of it. I only had a very acute attack once and was prescribed one inhaler. I could run 10 miles in under an hour no problem. This all seems very unfair, do you think i will have trouble obtaining my class one medical? i say could run because recently i have developed a slight problem with my knee after too much running! Should be fixed pretty pronto, fingers crossed! They don't look into passed problems with knees enough to write you off too do they??

I am about to go to stage 3 of the CTC McAlpine scheme you see, which is going to be very expensive waste of time if i fail the medical!! They have no contact numbers though!

cheers