Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Ground & Other Ops Forums > Medical & Health
Reload this Page >

PPL Health, ears and weight and height ratio

Wikiposts
Search
Medical & Health News and debate about medical and health issues as they relate to aircrews and aviation. Any information gleaned from this forum MUST be backed up by consulting your state-registered health professional or AME. Due to advertising legislation in various jurisdictions, endorsements of individual practitioners is not permitted.

PPL Health, ears and weight and height ratio

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 6th Nov 2012, 17:41
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: West Midlands
Age: 30
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PPL Health, ears and weight and height ratio

i want to start my ppl soon and will like to do my medical test before i start so i dont waste money.

Im however worried about my hearing, my hearing in the left ear is weak. my right ear is perfect. Will this stop me getting my medical.

also im overweight, im 16 stones and looking at the height to weight ration my ideal weight is around 10.

Although im losing the weight slowly i wont be able to lose 6 stones before i start my ppl. will this affect my chances as well
uniandpilot is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2012, 03:35
  #2 (permalink)  
Psychophysiological entity
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Tweet Rob_Benham Famous author. Well, slightly famous.
Age: 84
Posts: 3,270
Received 37 Likes on 18 Posts
16 Stone! It will affect your ability to clear the fence at the end of the runway.


and looking at the height to weight ration my ideal weight is around 10.
Is that the equivalent of a Freudian slip?


Being a pilot is a lot about self discipline. Weight control is a lot about determination. You've made a start, so good luck.

The hearing thing: You'll probably need to approach the medical department armed with specialist opinion. Odds are, if you don't have that, they'll simply tell you to go do it.

Should there be a rule that would cause total rejection, it could probably be determined on the phone ahead of spending anything - if no one on this forum knows the answer.

Last edited by Loose rivets; 7th Nov 2012 at 03:36.
Loose rivets is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2012, 07:34
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 58
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Good luck with the weight loss. There seems to be some good advice here... Lose weight - Live Well - NHS Choices

It's worth remembering the importance of the balance between activity and fuel-seeking exercise that makes you puffy and red in the face will burn calories.

If things remain static, it may be worth having a word with your GP, as he may access to low level interventions (health promotion team/trainers and the like) who may be able to give you the encouragement you need.

My personal opinion is try and stay away from medicines aimed at weight loss, (orlistat and the like), as they appear not to reap long term benefits.

From experience on this forum, the medics start getting a bit twitchy when your BMI reaches 40 kg/m>2.

As a sturdy chapp myself, I found cockpits rather cramped, and it may be that you need a larger aircraft to learn, (which is more expensive and I found harder to land). Having a 9 stone intructor helps.

My first passenger on gaining my PPL was also a sturdy chap, and it was quite disconcerting to nearly do an "Alan Sugar" bumping down 27 at Barton ! (And yes, I did do the calculations)

The hearing check for a class 2 medical is rather subjective- it involves the AME whispering at the side of your head and asking you to repeat what he says. If you don't hear him, he moves closer until you do !

Class 1 medical is a different kettle of fish, I think there checks are more objective, headphones and the like.

Let us know how you get on for future reference
gingernut is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2012, 07:48
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The medical standards are here:-Guidance for Medical Certification of aircrew | Medical | Personal Licences and Training

If you can meet these standards (class 2 for a PPL) your biggest problem will be finding a suitable aircraft in which to train. I have a 17 stone, 6'8" student who fits in a C172, but not much else.

If you can't meet the class 2 medical standards, then a LAPL may still be possible.
dobbin1 is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2012, 07:54
  #5 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: West Midlands
Age: 30
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks everyone, hopefully i will lose around a few stones by the time comes around summer when i will start my intensive course.

i exercise regularly, and never take them pills that make you lose weight, the old fashion way is the best.


iv got a hospital appointment for my ear soon and will ask him

Last edited by uniandpilot; 7th Nov 2012 at 14:15.
uniandpilot is offline  
Old 7th Nov 2012, 08:02
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 58
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Take you're point about the self discipline thing LR, but must say, can't help thinking we're breeding a ntion of fatties. Every time I try and fill me' car up with derv, there's someone trying to sell me a "supersize" Galaxy bar.
gingernut is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2012, 00:05
  #7 (permalink)  
Psychophysiological entity
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Tweet Rob_Benham Famous author. Well, slightly famous.
Age: 84
Posts: 3,270
Received 37 Likes on 18 Posts
Here in Texas, they have one pipe for fuel and another for coffee. Coffee is a syrup of sugar, milk and toffee. One gets a free gallon of that.

I am exaggerating a bit, but it takes several hours of driving to get the stickiness out of one's mouth after gas station coffee.
Loose rivets is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2012, 10:13
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try and go for a tommahawk for training its the best of the two seaters for pie munchers. Instructors included

The medical won't actually fail you for being fat if its linked to other things such as high blood pressure it might cause you grief.
mad_jock is offline  
Old 8th Nov 2012, 19:09
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 58
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
and double check the fuel.

(Aircraft, not you.)
gingernut is offline  
Old 9th Nov 2012, 18:23
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
remember that your BMI index is not to be taken at gold, many people including myself, are fit and healthy, and due to large muscle mass from sports, my BMI is hight because my height in slightly lower for my build...

getting fitter is good, but any good doctor that accesses you and will advise that weight loss would be beneficial..
Scottish.CPL is offline  
Old 13th Nov 2012, 10:01
  #11 (permalink)  

PPRuNe FirstOfficer
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Greetings all,

Since we are talking a bit about ears, is there a possibility of sinus mucus blocking an ear?
FirstOfficer is offline  
Old 13th Nov 2012, 18:58
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 58
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yes, 'specially this time of year.
gingernut is offline  
Old 14th Nov 2012, 11:21
  #13 (permalink)  

PPRuNe FirstOfficer
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank You gingernut.

I was getting worried. I had blocked ear so I went to my GP surgery and the nurse said my ear was clean and not blocked, she suggested it might be sinus mucus blockage on the back of the ear.

Every now and then I hear some "pops" and can hear slightly better, hope it goes away soon. The nurse suggested some hot water steam breathing and sudafed.

Last edited by FirstOfficer; 14th Nov 2012 at 11:21.
FirstOfficer is offline  
Old 14th Nov 2012, 13:39
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wellesbourne
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have limited hearing in my left ear also and have passed the Class 2 medical. Whilst no guarantee for you, you don't need perfect hearing.

For actual flying get a headset with stero volume controls so you can balance the volume for radio work.

Cheers

B
Bazza1400 is offline  
Old 15th Nov 2012, 02:13
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SCAL
Posts: 116
Received 15 Likes on 5 Posts
just go with a beefy instructor in a 150. You will never have to worry about those pesky weight and balance calculations.....
sherburn2LA is offline  
Old 15th Nov 2012, 19:46
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 58
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
sudafed's ok, but beware the "rebound" effect.
gingernut is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.