Ptsd

[nunos]

A flying friend of mine has recently been diagnoised as having Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He is a Fireman (looks soon to be medically discharged) and was involved in a lot of incidents which eventually took its toll. He has his PPL and was hoping to do ATPLs and so on. He is NOT on any medication and his Doctor states that his condition is job related and should not effect his normal everyday life. Can anyone advise will this hamper his hopes for a flying career in the future?

The only advice i could give him was to ask Caa Med section!

[Bealzebub]

Speaking in general, common sense dictates that any post traumatic stress disorder is going to have serious implications on the ability to exercise the priviliges of a class 1 medical certificate ( or indeed any class of medical certificate).

Traumatic events in an individuals life often have stressful repercussions that usually become less so over a period of time, this is not at all unusual. It does not always follow that such stress is classified as a disorder although for some people that is sometimes the case. The fact that the stress is classified as a disorder means that it does impact on an individuals everyday life.

In the event of an airline pilot holding a class 1 certificate and having been subject to a recent and serious traumatic event, the authority would be very likely to suspend the priviliges of the medical certificate, pending assesment by a psychiatrist appointed to the authority. It would presumably follow that the issuance of a certificate would also be subject to similar if not greater scrutiny.

PTSD or indeed many other temporary or permanent conditions are not to be taken likely. However common sense would also suggest that commercial aviation is not an acceptable therapy for such disorders and your friend may well find difficulties associated with an aviation career if the condition has been diagnosed and remains relevant. As you say the CAA would be the authority and their early advice would be well sought.

[nunos]

Thanks for the reply B`bub, I feel so sorry for the guy as he is such a nice fellow and was looking forward to a aviation career. It`s not his fault that his witnessed and had to deal with so many traumatic events, as part and parcel of his job, and is now having to "pay the price". I was hoping that because he has not been on medication of any kind and has been cognitive coping, he would be deemed as a strong, self disiplined, and motivated individual (obviously) as i`m sure just one of the things he has been through, would have put me or any other person in hospital or at least serious councelling. How he can even think about doing Atpl studies now, i`ll never know!!!!! I just hope he can get on, if not to the airlines, then maybe as a flying instructor, GOOD LUCK MATEY WHAT EVER YOU DO!