CAA obesity protocol

[tonker]

Hello everyone

i did my class one in February, and an now due to have my six monthly check as per the Obesity protocol. My AME has told me this check has to be done with a cardiologist. I was also told I had to do an “annual treadmill test”

The only mention of doing a treadmill test is if the cardiologist report suggest my risk of dying in the next ten years is over 20%. My risk this year was calculated at 7%. I’ve done this test before when I lived i lived in the north east, but it’s very expensive and I cannot find where it says I have to do one annually.

The wording says....”and an annual exercise test(to CAA protocol) preformed if risk exceeds 20% in the next ten years”

Thanks for any input in advance

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

When one of my very slightly overweight colleagues at Heathrow walked in to the AME, the doc said "hello fatso". He never needed diets after that.!

[tonker]

Originally Posted by HEATHROW DIRECTOR

When one of my very slightly overweight colleagues at Heathrow walked in to the AME, the doc said "hello fatso". He never needed diets after that.!

I had a black gentleman in London say exactly the same thing to me in front of his friends.

i replied “hello nigger”

The whole cabin was taken a back and I was asked in no uncertain terms to explain myself. Well I said, you started it by making nasty hurtful remarks about my physical appearance, so I thought I’d mearly reply accordingly. That’s only fair isn’t i? The gentleman in question burst out laughing and nearly apologised as he saw my point. I apologised for using that word, but did so as a matter of point and equality.

i don’t walk around shouting hurtful names at those who participate in activities that shorten their lives, and I certainly don’t expect it in return. No doubt the AME in question was a drinker, smoker or into bondage with farm animals. But none of that shows physically so he’s no doubt a fine chap because he looks the “right cut of the gib”

We all have a cross to bear, what’s yours?

[tescoapp]

Its a EASA protocol not a UK CAA.

And you have quoted the requirements for a class 2 holder. The class one is an annual stress test minimum.

You also must be quiet young because the number of tests ramp up as you get older. You will have heart and cartiod ultrasounds, halter monitors and OGTT to look forward to... and you will more than likely fail the OGTT which will put you on the type II protocol and multicrew restricted.

I am not a medic, just seen a couple of pilots go through this. I also know one who was refused a type rating on the Q400 because they couldn't press a button which is between your legs infront of the captains controls with the shoulder straps on.

[tonker]

Thanks for your reply.

The information I quoted was direct from the CAA Obesity protocol. It didn’t differentiate between classes of Medicals.

With reference to EASA, this is all I can find from their website...

”Applicants with a Body Mass Index  35 may be assessed as fit only if the excess weight is not likely to interfere with the safe exercise of the applicable licence(s) and a satisfactory cardiovascular risk review has been undertaken. The presence of sleep apnoea syndrome should be ruled out.”

The risk review is done at a 6 monthly check by a cardiologist, who using a set of standards, arrives at the percentile chance of you dyin*bin the next ten years. If it’s over 20% then the readmill test has to be done. If you can find the EASA requirement then I’m wrong and all ears.

Regards

[tescoapp]

Guidance for medical certification of professional pilots | UK Civil Aviation Authority

For all the different standards

Metabolic and then obesity

Metabolic and endocrinology guidance material GM | UK Civil Aviation Authority

And info sheet for pilots is there 3rd box down in the guidance.

The EASA is minimum standard the NAA's can issue there own more restrictive protocol. I can't find the EASA stuff it will be in Med somewhere but its a by the by if the UK caa has decided it wants a stress test or more.

As I said you must be quiet young other wise you get the sleep stuff and diabetes stuff as well.

Like it or not your going to have to get down to sub 35 BMI for them to leave you alone.

Don't take it personally when I started out 17 years ago now there was a short arse bodybuilding trainee pilot who was given the same treatment and he had a six pack. Strangely enough he had high cholesterol and copped a load of additional tests because of that.

I am a bit of a chuffer myself, I got below 35 by ditching carbs, have bacon and eggs for breakfast, ditched bread, root vegies, rice. No potatoes. Strange thing is when I started avoiding the previous I didn't have any cravings for food through out the day. Keep some beef jerky in my flight bag and some celery for snacks. The celery tends to do the job for snacks. Proper meal, still a big lump of meat and veg of the above ground type. Don't miss bread or potatoes to be honest. Had a MacDonalds a month after I started it and was ill for days which taught me a lot. Still have a dirty Donner kebab occasionally with no ill effects. Chicken wrap instead of chicken Baguette. Anyway the long short of it was 10kg gone in 3 months without really trying.

Please don't take the above comments on what worked for me, personally. I am just trying to give you a method that worked for me which really didn't feel like a diet and has been zero effort continuing. The low carb breakfast I suspect is the key because I just don't crave more carbs during the day until I eat bread or the like, then the cycle starts of feeling hungry every 2 hours or so.

[tescoapp]

To add you only need the class 1 to be live for CPL issue which may be a way to keep costs down while you try and get the weight down. If you seem to be doing something about it their attitude may be different. If you hit them head on saying that they are not doing it properly etc etc you will hit a brick wall.

[tonker]

Thanks very much. I was looking at the pictorial protocol where it doesn’t differentiate the class one and two differences, not the two paged description.

I haven’t done this test in the two month window after my medical, so I’ll just have to tell the CAA the mistake and why, and then rectify ASAP.

Oh well, back to the dieting whilst the loonies and drunks sail through their Medicals!

[tescoapp]

Try that not eating carbs thing. It screws with your head if it's a diet. Not eating bread and potatoes doesn't seem such a big deal.