asthma and the class 1

[pipergirl]

hello all....a bit late maybe, Happy New Year!

want to start my atpl's soon, and b4 i do that i am going to go for my class 1. i have asthma and it is very well controlled and i have gone for my class 2 and didn't have a problem.
Are they anyway more strict for the class 1 or has anyone ever had any probs with this? Are there any pilots out there who are asthmatic or anyone know of any?
any info would be great....thanks very much
pg:p

[Footsie]

Hi Pipergirl

I was hoping someone with more knowledge than me would post a reply to your question, but until that happens I'll have a go.

I went for my Class 1 last Thursday and received the certificate today. It's great to have it and I feel like framing it! I've had LASIK so it wasn't by any means a done deal.

Anyway, back to asthma. I don't have it, but two of my three kids do, as does my brother, so I had to report all this on the questionnaire. You'll do a peak flow test but in my understanding this won't necessarily be lower in a person with asthma if it is well controlled, e.g. through the use of steroid preventers. I did ask the doc doing the test various questions re. asthma, although not in as much detail as you might wish to. The impression I was given is that asthma is not in itself a bar to a Class 1 as long as it is controlled. If you have a record of asthma attacks leading perhaps to hospitalisation then I doubt you'll pass, but if that isn't the case then I'd imagine you'll be OK. They might endorse the certificate with a requirement that you always carry an inhaler, but that's my guess and not based on anything they said.

I was definitely left with the impression that there are commercial pilots flying with asthma.

Good luck!

[MAXIMOL]

You should be ok if you are taking ventolin. I have asthma and my ME said that as my asthma was bought on by exercise and cats and was mild I was ok. I was put on becotide by my GP and am now waiting to find out whether that is ok.
Best thing to do is go for your Class 1 and see what happens. I believe that if your asthma is well controlled you are ok. There is some info on The CAA website.

Good Luck.

[jonathang]

The information required is here :

http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/med/default.asp?page=540

Class 1 Requirements

Initial Class 1 certification may be possible provided that:

* There is a minimum period of 5 years since the last acute attack, and no significant hospital admissions
* Lung function tests are acceptable (the FEV1/FVC ratio should be greater than 70% with no appreciable drop after exercise)
* The asthma is well controlled on treatment with an inhaled steroid or cromoglycate, with or without an inhaled bronchodilator. Treatment with oral steroids is disqualifying
* There is no bronchospasm (wheeze) on examination
* There is no bronchospasm with a mild respiratory infection (e.g. common cold)
* A comprehensive report detailing the above is provided from a Consultant Chest Physician

Existing Class 1 certificate holders who develop asthma require similar evaluation and may be restricted to multi-crew duties.

[big buddah]

Maximol

Would be interested to find out how you go?
Does anyone else use a preventative out there?

[Northern Highflyer]

I am in the same position as you Pipergirl.

My asthma is very mild, well controlled and doesn't cause me any problems (unlesss theres a dog or a cat in the cockpit).

I hope to take my class 1 later this year and from what I can find out, I should be ok but I will have to get a report from my GP giving an opinion on my health. (he is a PPL too so luckily he knows exactly what I need)

I would like to know how you get on

[Happy Landings]

When I did my Class 1, the asthma guys had to do a five minute run on a treadmill, which I didn't have to do (I don't have asthma), but on the day I went the treadmill wasn't working so they had to run round the medical centre at gatwick:D

If you are physically fit you should be fine!

[reido]

This is a really interesting topic for me as I've been worrying about this for ages. THanks for bringing it up and replying.

I was prescribed ventolin a few years ago, allergies, stuff like that but I haven't used it for years. I play footy, run, badminton, etc. and there is no problem whatsoever. My peak flow however, does concern me, although I don't think it's under the 70% mark. Any views on whether I'll be ok at my class 1?

cheers

[Circuit Basher]

From JAR FCL3 Page 40, (http://www.jaa.nl/section1/jars/37/12/371205/371205.pdf) I found the following:

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.

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.


Hope this helps.

[reido]

Yeh, I've read all that- but it would be interesting to hear from anyone at Gatwick or closely involved to tell us the reality- mind you, I guess the figures speak for themselves. I just wonder how bad it has to be for you to fail the class 1

cheers

[QDMQDMQDM]

If you had an FEV1/FVC% of less than 70 you would really know about it and would be worried about more than the Class 1. This would signify severe respiratory obstruction.

QDM