restricted class 1 - what are the prospects?

[Eyon]

Well after several weeks and many a penny handed over to the caa it looks as though I have managed to obtain an OML restricted class 1 medical on the grounds of suffering from long qt syndrome.

Now this is great bit I'm a little concerned about the future and my desirability as a potential employee. Going from the advise from the caa, there is very little difference in real life terms between a normal class 1 and a restricted class 1, but will airlines shy away from employing someone without a "full" medical?

I assume if I had been flying for 30 years and my medical was restricted it wouldn't be an issue, but would a new freshly qualified pilot have little chance of employment?

Thanks

[White Knight]

To be honest I don't see what issue the airlines would have with OML restriction for one pilot of a multi-crew aeroplane! However, in reality!!!!!:(:(
Especially now with new pilots being only Multi-Crew licensed too... But often emotions (that guy might collapse at the controls) overcome common-sense (that guy is OML, is being thoroughly checked and vetted health-wise and is probably in better shape than most of his peers)!

I'm about to regain (hopefully) my Class 1 after cardiac probs! 20+ years flying still doesn't mean everything is cushy! I do feel though that with the looming shortage that you'll find a job aviating somewhere and soon. Best of luck:ok::ok:

[millerscourt]

Eyon

I do not share White Knight's opinion as loomimg pilot shortages usually apply to experienced Captains and not brand new F/O's with a restricted medical.I think you could have problems finding suitable employment and if you are considering spending huge sums of money ( if this is the case? ) try and get some opinions ( if this is possible ) from future employers or you could try the likes of CTC.

White Knight.

Sorry to hear of your cardiac problem ( no more black pudding for you from Newcastle) and trust you manage to solve this soon.

[Eyon]

Thanks for the replies White Knight and millerscourt.

I do not share White Knight's opinion as loomimg pilot shortages usually apply to experienced Captains and not brand new F/O's with a restricted medical.I think you could have problems finding suitable employment and if you are considering spending huge sums of money ( if this is the case? ) try and get some opinions ( if this is possible ) from future employers or you could try the likes of CTC.

Yes, I am on the brink of investing a rather large sum of money into training. I was due to start at OAA on July the 29th, but this isn't looking likely now because of this condition the CAA discovered. I'm just about to start tapping away some emails to ask airlines their opinions on OML medicals and what their take on it is. This will most likely confirm if I will be going ahead with my training. I also have friends in Ryanair, Cathay and BA who are doing some investigation for me and should be back to me by tomorrow.

To be honest I don't see what issue the airlines would have with OML restriction for one pilot of a multi-crew aeroplane! However, in reality!!!!!
Especially now with new pilots being only Multi-Crew licensed too... But often emotions (that guy might collapse at the controls) overcome common-sense (that guy is OML, is being thoroughly checked and vetted health-wise and is probably in better shape than most of his peers)!

I'm about to regain (hopefully) my Class 1 after cardiac probs! 20+ years flying still doesn't mean everything is cushy! I do feel though that with the looming shortage that you'll find a job aviating somewhere and soon. Best of luck

You're quite right. My eventual goal is long haul, and even if the chance of me dropping dead on the flight deck was high (which it fortunately is not) there would still be another 3 willing pilots waiting to fill my seat! Emotions are my most likely problem to overcome, as you quite rightly said. I have been given the all clear from the doctor, but as there is that mark on my medical saying restricted, things may differ. They wont give me a job on the basis of me telling them I am fit and healthy and have no problems with my heart in real life, as the figures tell them that my QT is 10ms over the limit (as in, next to nothing!).

Best of luck with having your medical returned, I cannot imagine how it feels to have it revoked after 20+ years, its bad enough for me and I haven't yet started!

Ian

[vfrrider481]

Eyon,

I suspect you have hit a so called nail on the head. Whilst formally there should not be any distinction between a full class 1 and an OML restricted pilot, I strongly suspect that it will influence things.

Airline recruiters are permanantly swamped with ideal applicants and even in flush times the market for competing pilots can be hard. There is nothing so valuable as experience, but noting so hard to get as experience.

If one had already been flying in an airline for some years they are stuck with you because of the disability discrimination legislation. As an aspiring pilot the airlines are comparing you with hundreds of wannabe's and being realistic they will be nervous of employing you for the "what if" scenario that would probably never happen. Given two cnadidates of equal aptitude and ability it would be reasonable for them to want the pilot with no limitations.

I hope that in you quest that there are some enlightened HR managers out there.

I would recommend speaking to some HR departments although I would exercise caution because they won't know you and will inherantly tow a party line for fear of being seen as discriminating.

As an aside, have you clarified the situation with the CAA and OAA regarding solo operation as required during the flight training process. It may be that the multi pilot licence (MPL) route may be more beneficial given your circumstances.

I would urge you to look towards the mentored/sponsored schemes where you are guaranteed a job at the end, rather than spend £70k+ getting the licence before hoping an airline takes you on. At least that way you can clear the big HR hurdle first and concentrate on the flying afterwards.

As a seperate issue, can I ask how you went about dealing with the CAA for the OML restricted class 1. Indeed, having achieved a significant victory I am sure others would love to know what hurdles you found and how you and your doctors overcame any difficulties with the CAA. If you read my "brain tumour" post one or two lines below you will see why I have a personal interest!

Well done for a significant victory and remember, if you don't try you'll never know but it would be a rocky and potentially impassable road due to short sighted misplaced beliefs.

Kind regards,
VFR

[misterblue]

Speaking purely from personal experience, I have worked for a total of 3 airlines over 15 years.

Only the first one asked about medicals, the other 2 didn't mention a thing. I therefore did not have to mention the fact that I had been made temporarily unfit twice before.

They still don't know now, as they did not ask.

MB

[Eyon]

Hi vfrrider481,

OAA will train me no problem with the Class 1 OML medical, I still have to investigate the training we do in Arizona where I will need to obtain a FAA Class 3 medical, I'm going to call the examiner there, but as its 5am there at the moment I will have to wait!! If thats all OK there is nothing stopping me doing the full training through OAA.

I've looked into sponsored schemes, but sadly they look great but rarely help. I managed to get my way through FlyBe's MPL scheme all the way to the final candidates, but when looking in-depth into the course you would end up pretty much bankrupt by the end of it with their requested repayments and their wages.

As for how I have battled with the CAA, its been fairly simple actually if more long-winded and expensive than I would so wish.

To summarise how I've done it....well I've just thrown a lot of money into it, sadly. I've done all the tests the CAA can provide, and had outside advise and reports written on me by some very high profile doctors in Papworth Hospital.

I have been fortunatly deemed fit to carry out a normal life with very little wrong with me and unlikely anything ever to go wrong with me (within reason).If it wasn't for the CAA needing me to hit a number he would say that I would be fit to pass, but as my QTc is 10ms too slow, its not happening.

So from here I will be doing further privately funded testing, I've found the leading researcher into LQTS in the world who happens to work 1 mile from my brothers house in New York (convenient!) and will be booking an appointment. LQTC can be either genetic (which is strange as all my family are still alive) or very rarely caused by other things in life which hopefully she could explain.

I'm not going to give up on this one, I want a full un-restricted class 1 medical and I'm happy to invest in getting it. A OML class 1 might make me able to train, but as a lot of people have said, its no sure sign of ever making a return on my investment by getting a job.

I certainly believe that getting outside info helps, doctors are a big network of old boys it seems, and my specialist in Papworth knew all the doctors at the CAA and visa versa. Although they didn't agree on some points, they do listen to each other it seems.

And best of luck with your outcome vfrrider, hope everything goes to plan for you

Ian

[vfrrider481]

Ian,

Thanks for the info. I am glad that OAA can oblige with the training.

What is most encouraging for others is the fact that the CAA are open and fair with properly evidenced medical issues.

The decision with your case seems to be a common sense one (not always the case with many organisations) and is also useful information for others. Likewise, there is merit in continuing your efforts for an unrestricted medical as all of the applications I filled in prior to my ailment being found asked if my medical was unrestricted or had ever been restricted. Obviously it is not the case with every airline, but having said that an unrestricted class 1 is also no guarantee of a payback on your investment and OML may still be more than adequate.

Good luck with your efforts and many thanks for your post, I am sure many will benefit from your experiences.

Regards,
VFR

[Eyon]

I think you're right VFR, and I was also pleasantly surprised at how open the CAA were. When I first walked in I always assumed it was a case of its either a yes or a no, and if its a no its a goodbye thank you for your money. I couldn't have been more wrong. Perhaps I just got lucky?

Yes, its cost a lot of money, so far I've spent £650 with the CAA for my "initial", and a lot more via my medical insurance for further testing, but in the grand scheme of things that is not a lot of money if I do get to be a pilot, and no amount of money can substitute health.

However I did find them all at the CAA to be very helpful, and Professor Joy was exceptionally good in my case, offering different options, trying to find all possible causes and explanations and then helping me understand my problem in English rather than "medical talk". Certainly the door was not shut in my face, and I was given the impression that they actually wanted me to pass, or maybe they just liked the contents of my wallet a lot more than I did!

I think in any case like this, getting "outside" opinions about medical issues is important. My plan is to get as much info about my condition as possible and try to present it to whoever I can to try and become un-restricted.

I met a guy when I was at my original appointment who had tunnel vision, the Irish governing body told him not to waste his time, never try to become a pilot. Three years on and he got his JAA Class 1, just shows it is possible to do these things, it just requires a lot of determination.