asthma and the class 1
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Join Date: Sep 2001
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asthma and the class 1
hello all....a bit late maybe, Happy New Year!
want to start my atpl's soon, and b4 i do that i am going to go for my class 1. i have asthma and it is very well controlled and i have gone for my class 2 and didn't have a problem.
Are they anyway more strict for the class 1 or has anyone ever had any probs with this? Are there any pilots out there who are asthmatic or anyone know of any?
any info would be great....thanks very much
pg
want to start my atpl's soon, and b4 i do that i am going to go for my class 1. i have asthma and it is very well controlled and i have gone for my class 2 and didn't have a problem.
Are they anyway more strict for the class 1 or has anyone ever had any probs with this? Are there any pilots out there who are asthmatic or anyone know of any?
any info would be great....thanks very much
pg
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Hi Pipergirl
I was hoping someone with more knowledge than me would post a reply to your question, but until that happens I'll have a go.
I went for my Class 1 last Thursday and received the certificate today. It's great to have it and I feel like framing it! I've had LASIK so it wasn't by any means a done deal.
Anyway, back to asthma. I don't have it, but two of my three kids do, as does my brother, so I had to report all this on the questionnaire. You'll do a peak flow test but in my understanding this won't necessarily be lower in a person with asthma if it is well controlled, e.g. through the use of steroid preventers. I did ask the doc doing the test various questions re. asthma, although not in as much detail as you might wish to. The impression I was given is that asthma is not in itself a bar to a Class 1 as long as it is controlled. If you have a record of asthma attacks leading perhaps to hospitalisation then I doubt you'll pass, but if that isn't the case then I'd imagine you'll be OK. They might endorse the certificate with a requirement that you always carry an inhaler, but that's my guess and not based on anything they said.
I was definitely left with the impression that there are commercial pilots flying with asthma.
Good luck!
I was hoping someone with more knowledge than me would post a reply to your question, but until that happens I'll have a go.
I went for my Class 1 last Thursday and received the certificate today. It's great to have it and I feel like framing it! I've had LASIK so it wasn't by any means a done deal.
Anyway, back to asthma. I don't have it, but two of my three kids do, as does my brother, so I had to report all this on the questionnaire. You'll do a peak flow test but in my understanding this won't necessarily be lower in a person with asthma if it is well controlled, e.g. through the use of steroid preventers. I did ask the doc doing the test various questions re. asthma, although not in as much detail as you might wish to. The impression I was given is that asthma is not in itself a bar to a Class 1 as long as it is controlled. If you have a record of asthma attacks leading perhaps to hospitalisation then I doubt you'll pass, but if that isn't the case then I'd imagine you'll be OK. They might endorse the certificate with a requirement that you always carry an inhaler, but that's my guess and not based on anything they said.
I was definitely left with the impression that there are commercial pilots flying with asthma.
Good luck!
Join Date: Mar 2001
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You should be ok if you are taking ventolin. I have asthma and my ME said that as my asthma was bought on by exercise and cats and was mild I was ok. I was put on becotide by my GP and am now waiting to find out whether that is ok.
Best thing to do is go for your Class 1 and see what happens. I believe that if your asthma is well controlled you are ok. There is some info on The CAA website.
Good Luck.
Best thing to do is go for your Class 1 and see what happens. I believe that if your asthma is well controlled you are ok. There is some info on The CAA website.
Good Luck.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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The information required is here :
http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/med/default.asp?page=540
Class 1 Requirements
Initial Class 1 certification may be possible provided that:
* There is a minimum period of 5 years since the last acute attack, and no significant hospital admissions
* Lung function tests are acceptable (the FEV1/FVC ratio should be greater than 70% with no appreciable drop after exercise)
* The asthma is well controlled on treatment with an inhaled steroid or cromoglycate, with or without an inhaled bronchodilator. Treatment with oral steroids is disqualifying
* There is no bronchospasm (wheeze) on examination
* There is no bronchospasm with a mild respiratory infection (e.g. common cold)
* A comprehensive report detailing the above is provided from a Consultant Chest Physician
Existing Class 1 certificate holders who develop asthma require similar evaluation and may be restricted to multi-crew duties.
http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/med/default.asp?page=540
Class 1 Requirements
Initial Class 1 certification may be possible provided that:
* There is a minimum period of 5 years since the last acute attack, and no significant hospital admissions
* Lung function tests are acceptable (the FEV1/FVC ratio should be greater than 70% with no appreciable drop after exercise)
* The asthma is well controlled on treatment with an inhaled steroid or cromoglycate, with or without an inhaled bronchodilator. Treatment with oral steroids is disqualifying
* There is no bronchospasm (wheeze) on examination
* There is no bronchospasm with a mild respiratory infection (e.g. common cold)
* A comprehensive report detailing the above is provided from a Consultant Chest Physician
Existing Class 1 certificate holders who develop asthma require similar evaluation and may be restricted to multi-crew duties.
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I am in the same position as you Pipergirl.
My asthma is very mild, well controlled and doesn't cause me any problems (unlesss theres a dog or a cat in the cockpit).
I hope to take my class 1 later this year and from what I can find out, I should be ok but I will have to get a report from my GP giving an opinion on my health. (he is a PPL too so luckily he knows exactly what I need)
I would like to know how you get on
My asthma is very mild, well controlled and doesn't cause me any problems (unlesss theres a dog or a cat in the cockpit).
I hope to take my class 1 later this year and from what I can find out, I should be ok but I will have to get a report from my GP giving an opinion on my health. (he is a PPL too so luckily he knows exactly what I need)
I would like to know how you get on
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When I did my Class 1, the asthma guys had to do a five minute run on a treadmill, which I didn't have to do (I don't have asthma), but on the day I went the treadmill wasn't working so they had to run round the medical centre at gatwick
If you are physically fit you should be fine!
If you are physically fit you should be fine!
Join Date: Mar 2003
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This is a really interesting topic for me as I've been worrying about this for ages. THanks for bringing it up and replying.
I was prescribed ventolin a few years ago, allergies, stuff like that but I haven't used it for years. I play footy, run, badminton, etc. and there is no problem whatsoever. My peak flow however, does concern me, although I don't think it's under the 70% mark. Any views on whether I'll be ok at my class 1?
cheers
I was prescribed ventolin a few years ago, allergies, stuff like that but I haven't used it for years. I play footy, run, badminton, etc. and there is no problem whatsoever. My peak flow however, does concern me, although I don't think it's under the 70% mark. Any views on whether I'll be ok at my class 1?
cheers
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From JAR FCL3 Page 40, I found the following:
Hope this helps.
Spirometric examination is required for initial Class 1 examination. An FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70% shall require evaluation by a specialist in respiratory disease. For Class 2, a pulmonary peak flow test of less than 80% of predicted normal value according to age, sex and height shall require evaluation by a specialist in respiratory diseases.
Applicants experiencing recurrent attacks of asthma shall be assessed as unfit.
(a) Class 1 certification may be considered by the AMS if considered stable with acceptable pulmonary function tests and medication compatible with flight safety (no systemic steroids).
(b) Class 2 certification may be considered by the AME in consultation with the AMS if considered stable with acceptable pulmonary function tests, medication compatible with flight safety (no systemic steroids), and a full report is submitted to the AMS.
Applicants experiencing recurrent attacks of asthma shall be assessed as unfit.
(a) Class 1 certification may be considered by the AMS if considered stable with acceptable pulmonary function tests and medication compatible with flight safety (no systemic steroids).
(b) Class 2 certification may be considered by the AME in consultation with the AMS if considered stable with acceptable pulmonary function tests, medication compatible with flight safety (no systemic steroids), and a full report is submitted to the AMS.
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Yeh, I've read all that- but it would be interesting to hear from anyone at Gatwick or closely involved to tell us the reality- mind you, I guess the figures speak for themselves. I just wonder how bad it has to be for you to fail the class 1
cheers
cheers
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If you had an FEV1/FVC% of less than 70 you would really know about it and would be worried about more than the Class 1. This would signify severe respiratory obstruction.
QDM
QDM
