Clarification on Asthma Guidelines
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2019
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Clarification on Asthma Guidelines
Hello all,
Question about Initial Class 1: Had childhood asthma, grew out of it and not an issue for me now. I was prescribed inhalers, and more importantly, courses of oral steroids when it was at its worst while I was young and not even a teenager but things got rapidly better and never had any inhalers since 2014 (12 years old) and officially not asthmatic anymore in the eyes of my medical record.
Just wanted to see if anyone could clarify the CAA asthma guidelines, specifically:
Where it mentions oral steroids and exacerbations, is this within the 5 year window they're referring to about the Class 1? Or is this a flat-out disqualification if it has ever been prescribed? The "and/or" confuses me...
I know I'd be fine for the standard spirometry test because I had one not long ago for an unrelated thing and passed well above the CAA threshold, but wanted to see if anyone could help on this. Tried contacting some AME's but been a while since I've heard anything and thought it might not do any harm posting it here to see if anyone knows/or even has experience in a similar situation.
Thanks
Question about Initial Class 1: Had childhood asthma, grew out of it and not an issue for me now. I was prescribed inhalers, and more importantly, courses of oral steroids when it was at its worst while I was young and not even a teenager but things got rapidly better and never had any inhalers since 2014 (12 years old) and officially not asthmatic anymore in the eyes of my medical record.
Just wanted to see if anyone could clarify the CAA asthma guidelines, specifically:
A history of asthma attacks requiring acute medical intervention/ admission within past 5 years for Class 1 and 2 years for Class 2 and/or repeated courses of oral steroids/frequent exacerbations is normally disqualifying.
I know I'd be fine for the standard spirometry test because I had one not long ago for an unrelated thing and passed well above the CAA threshold, but wanted to see if anyone could help on this. Tried contacting some AME's but been a while since I've heard anything and thought it might not do any harm posting it here to see if anyone knows/or even has experience in a similar situation.
Thanks
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,914
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From: Duit On Mon Dei
Whilst I am not a doctor, I am a mild asthma sufferer.
As you do not need oral steroids to control your asthma, you should be fine for a Class 1. My AME knows I take the occasional puff on the blue inhaler, and by occasionally, I mean about once or twice a year. My asthma is so quiet it is said to be dormant now.
The only time the docs get a bit interested in your asthma is if it is not well controlled or more importantly, you go onto oral steroids to control it.
Be prepared for them to investigate it (eg a possible run around the building) but it sounds like you'll be ok.
Good luck.
As you do not need oral steroids to control your asthma, you should be fine for a Class 1. My AME knows I take the occasional puff on the blue inhaler, and by occasionally, I mean about once or twice a year. My asthma is so quiet it is said to be dormant now.
The only time the docs get a bit interested in your asthma is if it is not well controlled or more importantly, you go onto oral steroids to control it.
Be prepared for them to investigate it (eg a possible run around the building) but it sounds like you'll be ok.
Good luck.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 78
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From: UK
I have a historical asthma diagnosis (pre class1) that was controlled with inhalers and then dormant for many years. Always declared and no change since holding the class 1 for over 15 years now.
Feeling some symptoms again over the last month. If I go to the GP and get diagnosed and get an inhaler then of course I must inform my AME. I’ve looked at the CAA guidance material but it’s not clear if this will be considered as an established diagnosis or a new diagnosis - therefore it’s not clear how this will all pan out.
Can anyone shed some light please?
Thanks
Feeling some symptoms again over the last month. If I go to the GP and get diagnosed and get an inhaler then of course I must inform my AME. I’ve looked at the CAA guidance material but it’s not clear if this will be considered as an established diagnosis or a new diagnosis - therefore it’s not clear how this will all pan out.
Can anyone shed some light please?
Thanks
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,914
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
I'm not a doctor/AME. If you've always declared it then it's not a new diagnosis. Inhalers are fine so long as they can control the asthma. If your symptoms are flaring up, get on top of it ASAP.
By informing your AME, I assume you mean at the annual medical?
When you start using oral steroids, that's when things go wrong medical wise.
By informing your AME, I assume you mean at the annual medical?
When you start using oral steroids, that's when things go wrong medical wise.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 845
Likes: 104
From: Kiwiland
The CAA website for Class 1 says:
Applicants with asthma requiring medication or experiencing recurrent attacks of asthma may be assessed as fit if the asthma is considered stable with satisfactory pulmonary function tests and medication is compatible with flight safety. Applicants requiring systemic steroids should be assessed as unfit.
So IMHO if you have a change in severity or frequency you become unfit. ie need to discuss with your AME before flying. Inhaled steroids are OK
Applicants with asthma requiring medication or experiencing recurrent attacks of asthma may be assessed as fit if the asthma is considered stable with satisfactory pulmonary function tests and medication is compatible with flight safety. Applicants requiring systemic steroids should be assessed as unfit.
So IMHO if you have a change in severity or frequency you become unfit. ie need to discuss with your AME before flying. Inhaled steroids are OK
