View Full Version : Have I left it too long to appeal a CAA assessment?
As I posted a while ago, I had an assessment at CAA Towers last year for a class 1 medical, as I have a history of depression.
In July last year I received the results to say that I will not be granted a medical unless I abstain permanently from alcohol.
Although I've got a few mentions on my medical record of drinking too much, and my blood tests showed that in the weeks running up to the tests I'd drunk more than the "recommended" amount, I felt that it was a ridiculous decision to treat me as a full blown alcoholic.
At the time I tried to forget about the whole thing, particularly as their instructions were to book a follow up session with the specialist (which they'd be expecting me to pay for, on top of everything else!)
Problem is, the whole thing is still on my mind now and I'm wondering what my options are.
Is it too late to appeal against their decision and ask them to revisit it?
my blood tests showed that in the weeks running up to the tests I'd drunk more than the "recommended" amount, I felt that it was a ridiculous decision to treat me as a full blown alcoholic.
I see two massive red flags here.
One is the excessive drinking up to the tests ( which you knew about ) and the subsequent denial of a problem.
From your previous posts you have three strikes already.
Vision issues, history of depression and alcohol abuse.
No matter what the rules allow most professional pilots are not daily drinkers.
There is just too much at stake.
Hence the decision by the CAA.
I see two massive red flags here.
One is the excessive drinking up to the tests ( which you new about ) and the subsequent denial of a problem.
From your previous posts you have three strikes already.
Vision issues, history of depression and alcohol abuse.
No matter what the rules allow most professional pilots are not daily drinkers.
There is just too much at stake.
Hence the decision by the CAA.
1. My vision is not a problem, I passed the eyesight requirements with no problem (not that it's remotely relevant!)
2. My depression is in the past, I've been off medication for two years, I haven't had a period of depression in four.
3. Most pilots I know are regular drinkers! I was cabin crew for nearly 10 years, the airline drinking culture isn't a secret! It's not illegal to drink, even for a pilot, I do so socially and it is not a problem!
Why are you bringing these up anyway? I asked a simple question, I didn't ask for someone to put the boot in for absolutely no reason!
Edit:
I've just seen you are an FAA pilot, so presumably you have little or no experience with the UK CAA. Why on earth did you feel you had to get involved in this thread? I can only assume that you enjoy being nasty and judgemental... Not good... :\
FAA pilot with a European background but you couldn’t know that.
You were asking about appealing a CAA ruling based on previous and current problems.
You’ve admitted to those in all your earlier postings yet you disagree with a ruling.
Thats questionable.
FAA or CAA or DGCA it’s irrelevant as none of them would issue you a “no restrictions” Class 1.
FAA regulations 61.107 requires the following:
Substance dependence, except where there is established clinical evidence, satisfactory to the Federal Air Surgeon, of recovery, including sustained total abstinence from the substance(s) for not less than the preceding 2 years.
ICAO has 193 member states all of which abide by the same general rules and regulations as that is the whole purpose of the organization. Bar ( relatively) minor differences the rules are the same. Including for medical issuances.
FAA pilot with a European background but you couldn’t know that.
You were asking about appealing a CAA ruling based on previous and current problems.
You’ve admitted to those in all your earlier postings yet you disagree with a ruling.
Thats questionable.
FAA or CAA or DGCA it’s irrelevant as none of them would issue you a “no restrictions” Class 1.
What "current problem" do I have Mr Know It All?
I'm asking about how and if I can appeal something they've decided, something you know next to NOTHING about, yet you're here telling me that I can't have a medical as if you're the bloody chief medical assessor!
How dare you assume that I have a "substance dependence" simply because I drink alcohol...
What "current problem" do I have Mr Know It All?!
my blood tests showed that in the weeks running up to the tests I'd drunk more than the "recommended" amount
Then you choose to ignore their request to an additional visit to a specialist.
To answer your original question, according to this document its 28 days to appeal:
https://www.caa.co.uk/media/ncqbjcgu/final-medical-appeal.pdf
Then you choose to ignore their request to an additional visit to a specialist.
The same specialist*... Three months later, with no explanation, just orders to become teetotal for life!
(*And at my own considerable expense I might add)
Then you choose to ignore their request to an additional visit to a specialist.
To answer your original question, according to this document its 28 days to appeal:
https://www.caa.co.uk/media/ncqbjcgu/final-medical-appeal.pdf
That's not actually remotely helpful as it's for secondary appeals.
You don't actually appear to know much about this so, respectfully I'd like you to leave the conversation to those who are less judgemental and might actually give me some advice
I’m not the first one to point out the obvious and you didn’t like their opinions either.
https://www.pprune.org/medical-health/641707-alcohol-use-caa.html
I’m not the first one to point out the obvious and you didn’t like their opinions either.
https://www.pprune.org/medical-health/641707-alcohol-use-caa.html
Yes, he was a judgemental prat, as I recall most of his posts were removed by admin and he was prevented from responding again
You don't have the facts, it is not your place to be making accusations. If you can't answer the question I asked, why do you feel the need to comment?
Well this is a public forum and sometimes you need to hear from somebody else what you already know if you’re honest with yourself.
The answer to your question is on the CAA website. Since you don’t need my help I’ll leave it to you to find it.
It takes about a 3 sec internet search.
Hint: it involves contacting the person that send you the letter/email in the first place.
Well this is a public forum and sometimes you need to hear from somebody else what you already know if you’re honest with yourself.
Please, just go away now.
You're just a bully, you've made your assumptions based on sod all information and now you're trying to force your opinion on me.
It is NOT appreciated