Epilepsy

[andyandlinda]

Have always found Dr Cranston in Harpenden very good with any advice it might be worth a chat with him cant do any harm.

Good luck.

[eikido]

Try taking the medical 1 in another country? Say Sweden?

Eikido

[mattuk1]

Wow thanks for the quick repsonses!
If I'm honest I'd kinda resigned to the fact I would be stopped by this, but it sounds like I need to double my efforts!

Jez D, can I ask how the multi-crew restricted Class 1 works?

Thanks.

[jez d]

Matt, a multi-crew restricted medical means that you can only fly commerically in a multi-crew environment. In other words, you cannot operate a commercial aircraft solo. This means that you would be permitted to fly for an airline, but you couldn't fly a small turbo-prop commerically, for example, if you were the only person up front. However, re-reading your initial post it would appear that you have never had an epilectic fit(?), so I think that you have a good chance of gaining an unrestricted Class 1 in any case. As others have suggested, it is definitely worth contacting your local AME for further advice. A list is available from the CAA's website here: Medical Examiners Database Search | Medical | Safety Regulation

All the best, jez

[C172 Hawk XP]

'fraid not

can I ask how the multi-crew restricted Class 1 works?

Sorry to be the party pooper here, but it's most unlikely to be as simple as is being suggested. To the best of my knowledge an initial Class 1 would never be issued bearing an OML restriction ( OML = Operational Multicrew Limitation). At the initial Class 1 you are either fit to be issued with it . . . . or you are not.

The purpose of the OML is to allow established Class 1 holders back to work while the resolution of their condition is being confirmed by nothing more than the passage of time.

[mattuk1]

i see, well thanks to all for the input so far...

so how would i arrange to take a medical in another country? and would this be valid in the uk?

[mutt]

If i remember correctly, there is a medical question that asks if you were ever denied a medical certificate, if i am correct, then you would have to lie in order to get a foreign medical, are you willing to do so?


Mutt

[Mac the Knife]

".....couple of blips on the EEG (electrodes on head) that needed to be referred to further neurologists. After a few weeks my application was rejected on the grounds that I may have a 3-4% higher chance of epilepsy than the average person (I have no family or personal history of epilepsy)."

Well, I'm not a medical examiner (or a neurologist) but it it really was just "...a couple of blips" and "...a 3-4% higher chance of epilepsy...." with no history of convulsive episodes sounds very speculative, to say the least.

Can you get hold of the original EEG and report? If so, I would suggest that you have it independently re-evaluated. If the abnormalities were very minor and of questionable significance then you should be able to get someone to say so. But to get the conclusions of the original Class one annulled (which is effectively what you would have to do) may take some legal gymnastics and a great deal of determination. You would need to show that this conclusion was unreasonable (which is possible).

Unfortunately, as in so many of these things, once the possibility has even been raised, you're often stuck with the label for life no matter how absurd it may be.

[mattuk1]

Hi Nathaniel,

Thanks for your reply.
I had a chat with my local AME this morning and was advised to consult a specialist neurologist. Hopefully my EEG will be OK second time round and will then be presented to the CAA.

My email is [email protected] if you want to have a further chat about it?

[Billy Preston]

Abnormal EEG/Possible epilepsy

Hi Matt

I know the frustration you're going through! I learnt to fly in 1976 and progressed to an ATP and eventually got into the national carrier in 1988. However, in 1992 I suffered a seizure and no EEG's or brain scans could prove any problems - the airline grounded me and I lost my medical. I have no history of head injuries or epliepsy in the family either.

I ended up undergoing neurosurgery in 1994 and after a long and frustrating fight managed to regain a "co-pilot only" restricted medical five years later. After collecting many reports, undergoing numerous neuro assessments and hounding the CAA continuously, this restriction was finally eased to "as or with a co-pilot" last year and I finally achieved my goal in life a few months ago and now occupy the left seat on an airliner!

NEVER SURRENDER; IT WILL PAY OFF EVENTUALLY!!


If you would like to chat more kindly email me at [email protected]

[mattuk1]

Thanks for your message Billy...

[mattuk1]

hi all and thanks for the replies...

i've received my initial comments from the CAA from the time i took the EEG. i wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this?

"Your EEG has shown a pattern of electrical activity which indicates that you are at an increased risk of developing epilepsy in the future. I must emphasize that this is only an increased risk, it remains the case that your absolute risk is still very small, such that it is very likely that you will not have an epileptic fit in your entire life. In technical terms, you were noted to have spike and slow wave discharges following hyperventilation (over breathing), and under the Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) this is incompatible with class one medical certification (statutory denial enclosed)..."

thanks again!

[aviatordom]

Can i be a pilot, if I have Epilepsy?

Hey guys,

I've had two seizures now in the space of less than two weeks. I now have to go for an EEG test at some point, to see if i have a condition such as epilepsy.

My ambition from a young age has been to be the proud holder of an ATPL. If i do have epilepsy, would I still be able to pass the Class one medical, and fly for the airlines?

If not, am i still able to hold a PPL?

Kind Regd's,

aviatordom