Class 1 Medical - Stammer/Stutter
 

Hi Guys,

I went to my local NATS centre today to get my Class 1 Medical - in order to see if I can successfully pursue my dream of being a pilot, and I was pulled up on the issue of a stammer. Now this wasn't noticeable during my talk with the doctor and all my other tests were fine, however on the sheet which declared all my conditions I ticked the box for vocal issues, so I highlighted the problem and I slightly regret doing so. So the doctor had an issue with this and said that she couldn't pass me, but neither could she fail me, without having a specialist meeting with a Chief Flying Instructor.

If anyone could put me in contact with a Chief Flying Instructor that would be great.

The issue the doctor said was that essentially if I had problems communicating over a radio this could be hazardous in an emergency situation - to which I completely agree. However I am not a considerable stutters, I would describe it as infrequent and mild - I mean I see programmes on TV and hear many stories of people who are 10x times worse. I just really don't want to be rejected from flying based upon this issue, I was gutted when the doctor told me this could be a problem.

So I was wondering if anyone knew what I am to expect to be tested by a Chief Flying Instructor, will he give me lines to read and ask me to say them out loud or just have a conversation with me? If its the former, what are the general day-to-day sentences/words a pilot has to say? For instance do pilots call to ATC to request takeoff and if so how do they refer to it...?

You get what I mean.

Any responses greatly appreciated!

Stammers vary hugely from person to person and situation to situation so I presume they will want you to fly with a CFI for an assessment of how you perform in practice. This assessment is common for physical issues but I haven't heard of it being required for speech issues before. Contact your local professional flying school and ask for a meeting with the CFI, he/she should know what to do and, if not, would contact the relevant national aviation authority (the CAA(if you're in the UK) for guidance. It won't be something you can or should prepare for and, if you've had any speech therapy, you will know that rehearsal is not a good thing. :=

I've had a life-long stammer and during my 30+ years in aviation have heard many others with a range of speech issues. I'm often slightly dis-fluent on the radio but the only time I really struggled was for a while when I was doing the MEIR course and I let the stress get to the vocal chords - normal service was restored after a while. :)
Ask yourself how well you perform doing presentations, interviews, debates or whatever - if you can communicate adequately you will be OK, but if you can't then it's better to find out earlier than later.

Sounds like what she's asking for is a Medical Flight Test. However she should tell you exactly what you need....

This looks similar to a flight hearing test if you fail a renewal audiogram.

Three ticks required for being able to hear intercom, R/T and identify radio aids.

All very practical.

Good luck