I failed my medical. Can anybody help?

[telboy.com]

Hi I am extremely depressed, i went to Gatwick for my initial last week and failed the eye test, (I failed the night vision test). I was told that this could be due to a drug I took a year ago for acne called roaccutane. I don't know how long this side effect lasts. However I have been told that I could possibly qualify for an FAA class 1. But if I got that I wouldn't be able to fly in America because I wouldn't be able to get a visa. Can anybody give me any advice on whether i should get an FAA class 1 and if there are any career prospects for a Brit holding an FAA licence?
I am also thinking of going to university next year, so by the time I graduate (3-5 years time) do you think there is a chance that the CAA vision standards might become more relaxed like those of the FAA? Or hopefully the side effects would have worn off!
I would be grateful for any information.
Thanks
Telboy 747 :eek: :confused: :(

[mjenkinsblackdog]

Great Shame.
However if you get an american Faa atr/ir.
Saudia would look at you.
Gulf air are hiring plus emirates.
Good luck.
Its not a brick wall.:cool:

You would have to get approx 2500 jet hours first though.
May be lear or citation work in the states ,or Us reg aircraft in europe.
Good luck!

[pg wing tips]

telboy.com

I think the best thing you can do it find out exactly what caused you to fail the night vision test. Go to an opthalmist an have a check up, badger him/her for answer!! Investigate this drug Roaccutane, there is bound to be plenty of info on the web - just bang in roaccutane into a search engine such as ask.co.uk. You may find the information/answers you need !

I would say (in my best old mans tone) go to uni - you'll have a fantastic time, I know I did ! Airports and aircraft will still be there after you graduate. Plus you will then have a degree to 'fall back on' should things still not go your way with the medical.

Regds

[GlueBall]

The FAA would issue a waiver to fly with monocular vision, with a wooden leg, with diabetes, with a teflon heart valve, etc....Contingent upon recurrent demonstrated performance.

Only in America. :p

[pseudorandomnoise]

My other half who is an eye specialist..you must see an Opthalmologist. Your best bet is privately because this will speed up the process. Or if not get your GP to write to the Eye Dept at your nearest hospital.

When you get there, take the CAA/JAR requirements and take the result of your test. Then ask for their view. They are the experts, and would be in a better position to advise you.

The CAA have been known to be wrong.

Good luck.

[FlyingForFun]

Also, once you've seen an opthalmologist, badger the CAA. Keep writing, calling, e-mailing, and faxing them - don't let them forget you. Their minds can be changed. You might like to have a chat with Helen D - I don't recall seeing her post for a while, but she's in Private Flying reasonably regularly. She's an expert in getting the CAA to change their minds - I forget exactly how many months it was before she eventually got a Class 2 medical, but she got it by pure persistance. Class 1 would probably be more difficult, but I'm sure it's not impossible.

Good luck!

FFF
---------------

[Boing7117]

Must be every wannabee's nightmare? failing the one thing you can't really prepare for. Really sorry to hear about it.

I was on Roaccutane a couple of years ago for the same problem (real pain to have to take for so long but doesn't it work wonders!!) - I had loads of side effects but the eyesight thing, I'm not so sure about.

I spent quite a lot of time researching this medicine and I can't recall ever coming across a side-effect like this (but I'm no doctor to don't hold me to it)

Get yourself to Uni and do that degree. That's what I did. At 18 I went to BA for the training scheme and was guttered I didn't get in. Oh no! I thought, I've gotta go to uni now. T'was the best rejection I had ever had.

Then after Sept 11th the group I would have been flying in had their sponsorships put on hold until further notice. I'd have been degree-less, plane-less and probably job-less.

Cover yourself while you've got the age on your side. Everyone knows how hard it is to be a pilot - cover all routes in the event of problems - you'll always have something to fall back on then.

And don't worry about the medical thing - you'll pass it. Just not yet !

[Modelmaker]

priority number one should be to attack the loss of you CAA medical class 1. I think you can re-ask a second evaluation and perhaps with the search-work you did about the product, you'll stand stronger in your shoes - just go and get advice of your ophtalmist...
in the worst case: check if you're already assured against loss of medical class1. Perhaps you should inform that flying-assurance about your problem and they should help you further as most probably they don't want to spend their money easily...

and FAA... why not consider to do that medical again in a JAA-country... this looks more evident, wouldn't it be so? Altough I have heard rumors that the medcal class 1 isn't approved by JAA yet, so every country does what it wants on this matter - yours to inform.

[Islander Jock]

I was on Roaccutane about 4 years ago and despite a number of unpleasant side effects it didn't seem to do anything to my eyesight at the time. However I subsequently suffered a bout of Central Serous Retinopathy. I wonder if the drug and CSR could possibly be linked?

[FaPoGai]

Cher Telboy
Moi aussi or words to that effect.
What you dont do is to give up. Ask for a second opinion or a retest. Write to the CAA Chief Medical Officer( Dr.Janvrin) and put your case. It works or at least it did for me, not eyesight related but the principle is the same.
Rgds and Bon chance.
FaPoGai.

[telboy.com]

I'd like to say a big thank you to every one who replied. I thought that once the CAA had said no, there was no return. Im gonna try and get them to reconsider my application. Thanks for the support that I so badly needed. ;) :) :p