Casa medical query

[That brad guy]

I have tried looking up CASA's regs and through these forums.

I am going to be having ear surgery (grommets) in the near future. All other options have been exhausted. My specialist says its a day operation that won't affect my flying.

Is this one of those don't ask don't tell situations or do I need to inform casa and if I do what effect will this have on my medical?

[tail wheel]

Grommets inserted? The mind boggles at the numerous possibilities..........

Google suggests this may be an ear operation?

[That brad guy]

Yeah, my mistake. Its ear surgery

[Styx75]

I had grommets as a young tot. Theyve had no bearing on my current class 1 medical. Only noticeable indication with them is some scar tissue around my eardrum, but no doctor has so much as mentioned that too me.

As long as you pass the audiogram, it shouldnt be an issue.

[Old Akro]

The thing you need to look at is the DAME handbook:

https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/g/files/net351/f/_assets/main/lib100096/foi_f13_5348.pdf

CASA is a world unto itself. It holds opinions that are at odds with both contemporary medical practice and overseas aviation medical departments (notably the FAA).

This quote from the DAME Handbook pretty much sums up CASA's stance on everything, not just medications:

As a general principle, DAMEs should assume all medications are hazardous for aviation operations until demonstrated otherwise

They pretty much think that anything medical is cause for them to withdraw your medical until you prove otherwise.

Don't assume that there is any logic in their policies. Never for a moment believe that they are your friend.

Grommets are very common in children with chronic ear infections. I assume they are put in under general unaesthetic which means you need to admit to it at your next medical or lie.

I'd take the advice of your (non DAME) GP and the specialist performing the procedure. You may require a letter from your specialist saying that it will not affect your ability to fly. Go to CASA only when you have all your ducks in a row.

My guess is that CASA will refer it to one of their subcontracted medical assessors. I have had an experience where this was an overseas trained doctor giving an opinion that outside their specialty that was in conflict with the opinion of a notable specialist in that field. So, my advice is to start with enough information to put you on the high ground.

[IFEZ]

Sounds like minor surgery and I assume you won't be out of action for more than 7 days, so my advice would be to get it done, and carry on as normal. Raise it now and you risk Avmed grounding you, because of course they would know more than a mere 'specialist' wouldn't they :ugh:.


As Old Akro said though, when you do your next medical there will be a question that requires you to own up (or not). At least if you do it then, any further testing etc that Avmed demand can be done (hopefully) in the 2 months after your medical is re-stamped so you don't have any CASA induced downtime.


Further reading available on CASA website. If you google 'pilot illness 7 days' or similar it should take you to the relevant part. Best of luck.

[Styx75]

7 days is for a class 1 medical. If you have a class 2, its 30 days...

[Chiefofchieftans]

Hey mate,

I've had grommets for almost 2 years now. Didn't affect my first renewal after I got them. In the process of waiting for my current medical renewal. Just get a letter from your specialist stating the reason of the grommets and that it won't affect your flying and send it in with your renewal.

[That brad guy]

I had grommets as a young tot. Theyve had no bearing on my current class 1 medical. Only noticeable indication with them is some scar tissue around my eardrum, but no doctor has so much as mentioned that too me.

As long as you pass the audiogram, it shouldnt be an issue.

Yeah, same as myself but these are going in while wanting to retain my medical

[That brad guy]

Thanks for the advice guys. So as I understand its day surgery and I won't have any down time beside the G Anesthetic

So, no need to report and take specialist letter with me to medical renewal?

[mikewil]

So, no need to report and take specialist letter with me to medical renewal?

Why would you even bother with that.

Just make no mention of it at the medical renewal at all...

[Old Akro]

So as I understand its day surgery and I won't have any down time beside the G Anesthetic

From memory, your next medical will ask if you've had an operation involving GA. While it might be colloquially said that you are having a day general anesthetic, technically, its more likely to be local anesthetic with a sedative. The experience for you is the same, but its a might lighter, safer anesthetic.

Regarding the specialist letter, in my experience CASA AVMED will not make any judgement calls and want someone else to cover their butt. Therefore they may ask for a specialists letter where HE states that it will not adversely affect your ability to carry out the functions of your pilots licence. When you see the specialist, I'd have a chat with him about whether he thinks it might be prudent for him to write one in advance of your next medical. Its easier for him / her to do it while his / her memory is fresh rather than needing to look up files in 6 months time.

[Chiefofchieftans]

Like I said earlier I got bilateral grommets 2 years ago. It will come up in your medical renewal because your doc will be looking inside your ears, so there is no beating around the bush there.

I went into my first renewal prepped with a letter from my ENT. We put it in with the paperwork, and I received my class 1 a few weeks later, no drama's from casa.

My grommets are still in place and my class 1 just came in my email today.

Have a letter from your ENT ready. There shouldn't be any issues though.

[allthecoolnamesarego]

Just be careful when you sign your medical knowing you have had something done, and signing to say you haven't.
I would suspect you will be in more strife making a false declaration than you would be for being up front about your grommets.

You can always call avmed and ask about the implications of grommets, you are not required to give your name to ask a question (if you're worried).

Taking advice on legal matters from anyone here (ironically me included :)) might just get you in more trouble than what appears to be a non issue with grommets.

Call, ask and find out the actual answer:ok: