NPPL and Epilepsy
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NPPL and Epilepsy
Hi All,
I'm hoping someone can clarify a thought for me about the possibility of gaining a medical declaration from my GP to achieve an NPPL. A couple of years ago I'd completed ATPL training and was working as cabin crew whilst in the process of searching for my first right hand seat job. During this time I suffered a serious seizure and after a number of tests was diagnosed with epilepsy making my medical (and therefore my licence) invalid.
Obviously this was a devastating experience which I've spent the last 12months trying to cope with. I understand completely that I'll never be able to hold a commercial licence again and although deeply hurt I accept from a safety point of view this is a rule which must be enforced. I have also been led to believe that I will never hold a medical allowing me to hold any licence until a friend of mine showed me the rules for the NPPL.
I've read the information sheet regarding epilepsy and as I understand if I've been clear of a seizure for 12 months (which is next month) and meet the DVLA driving requirements I am able to fly solo or with a safety pilot. The whole idea of being able to fly solo again could be amazing to me as I've accepted the fact I will never do this, all I'm trying to find out at the minute is that although the information sheets state I have a chance, does anyone know whether I'm likely to get a declaration from a GP or is this just me getting my hopes up and likely to get badly hurt again.
I'd be very grateful for any advice or assistance in this and thank anyone in advance who may be able to help.
I'm hoping someone can clarify a thought for me about the possibility of gaining a medical declaration from my GP to achieve an NPPL. A couple of years ago I'd completed ATPL training and was working as cabin crew whilst in the process of searching for my first right hand seat job. During this time I suffered a serious seizure and after a number of tests was diagnosed with epilepsy making my medical (and therefore my licence) invalid.
Obviously this was a devastating experience which I've spent the last 12months trying to cope with. I understand completely that I'll never be able to hold a commercial licence again and although deeply hurt I accept from a safety point of view this is a rule which must be enforced. I have also been led to believe that I will never hold a medical allowing me to hold any licence until a friend of mine showed me the rules for the NPPL.
I've read the information sheet regarding epilepsy and as I understand if I've been clear of a seizure for 12 months (which is next month) and meet the DVLA driving requirements I am able to fly solo or with a safety pilot. The whole idea of being able to fly solo again could be amazing to me as I've accepted the fact I will never do this, all I'm trying to find out at the minute is that although the information sheets state I have a chance, does anyone know whether I'm likely to get a declaration from a GP or is this just me getting my hopes up and likely to get badly hurt again.
I'd be very grateful for any advice or assistance in this and thank anyone in advance who may be able to help.
NPPL Medical
Suggest you ring up the medical section of the CAA at Gatwick. My experience of them is that they will do whatever they can to get you flying if you can be licensed.
Look them up on www.caa.co.uk. You may even find the answer on the website
DGG
Look them up on www.caa.co.uk. You may even find the answer on the website
DGG
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http://www.dvla.gov.uk/at_a_glance/c...l.htm#appendix
If you're fit free for 10 yrs you could get a \group 2 licence, as long as you're not on medication and haven't been.
If you're fit free for 10 yrs you could get a \group 2 licence, as long as you're not on medication and haven't been.
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I don't think Zorx is being particulary helpful.
LASORS
The link above will take you to a largish PDF that is LASORS (in case you didn't have it).
I agree with the above that the CAA medical department are very helpful. These days they try to get you flying rather than stop you flying. I lost my medical temporarily last year and the service from them couldn't have been better. Give them a call and talk to a doctor.
You might also consider talking to a tame AME, if you are Heathrow way I can give you a number.
Best of luck, hope it goes well. If you can't go solo try for a "with or as safety pilot" endorsement - it is not all that restrictive really.
LASORS
The link above will take you to a largish PDF that is LASORS (in case you didn't have it).
I agree with the above that the CAA medical department are very helpful. These days they try to get you flying rather than stop you flying. I lost my medical temporarily last year and the service from them couldn't have been better. Give them a call and talk to a doctor.
You might also consider talking to a tame AME, if you are Heathrow way I can give you a number.
Best of luck, hope it goes well. If you can't go solo try for a "with or as safety pilot" endorsement - it is not all that restrictive really.
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The problem with BBs is that some folks just spout out rubbish but at face value it seems to make sense.
To find out what you have to know you need to look at the NPPL website, and more in particularly this information sheet on Epilepsy.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med-NPPL_epilepsy.pdf
To find out what you have to know you need to look at the NPPL website, and more in particularly this information sheet on Epilepsy.
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med-NPPL_epilepsy.pdf
Está servira para distraerle.
This is slightly dangerous territory. Let me say that I have no medical experience other than that which life has thrown my way.
The DVLA operate to a protocol and it is inflexible on their one year driving ban. Not quite so with the CAA. In fact I believe that it is quite possible to hold a CAA Class 1 Medical whilst still being banned from driving on medical grounds by the DVLA.
It seems to me slightly strange that, after a single, solitary, seizure, you have been diagnosed as epileptic. I would imagine that you have, amongst other things, seen a neuro-surgeon and had a brain scan. But then, as I have said; I am not a qualified practitioner.
The CAA medical section is usually more than helpful. Their attitude is one of helping you to get back in the air - albeit, perhaps, with a period of flying as two crew for a two year period.
I would absolutely follow previous advice. Get hold of the medical section at LGW; I am sure that they will help you all they can to get back to flying.
It seems to me as though you have nothing to loose by doing so.
All the best of luck.
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Thanks for all the advice. Having read through the epilepsy information sheet it does seem pretty sure I will be ok to fly solo or with safety pilot but just wanted to make sure there was no other reason I'd not noticed which was likely to stop me getting permission.
Having heard the CAA medical examiners are normally pretty helpful makes me happy to approach them, I'm away for the next 2 weeks but will do that as soon as I get back and keep my fingers crossed for good news.
Again many thanks for all advice
FLIP
Having heard the CAA medical examiners are normally pretty helpful makes me happy to approach them, I'm away for the next 2 weeks but will do that as soon as I get back and keep my fingers crossed for good news.
Again many thanks for all advice
FLIP
Está servira para distraerle.
Just a thought though.If you've got your ATPL subjects and if you do approach the CA Medical Section, should you not perhaps explain that you will need a Class 1 Medical at the end of the day? Dive in at the deep end as it were?
Best of luck.
