Back Injuries
 

Hi,
Does anyone have any experiences of gaining a class 1 medical and subsequently a job flying with a back injury that they are willing to share.I have a back injury to the thorassic area of my back,it does not stop me flying but it may get me medically retired from my present job,so i will have to declare it at the medical. The AME who did my class 2 said the worst the CAA medical examiner could do is make me sit a flying test to see if it affected the operation of an aircraft. He also said that although I may gain a class 1 he was not sure how favourably an employer would look upon someone who had a history of back problems. Any comments,suggestions or information is greatly appreciated.

A slightly different case to yourself, since I was already employed by an airline, but it may help. I had back trouble a few years ago which resulted in my licence being temporarily suspended (more than 28 days sick is I believe the rule). The upshot was the removal of a lumbar disc. The CAA medical people were very good about the whole thing, their requirement being that I could demonstrate to the AME that I had full function back in my legs, with the reach and the strength to cope with the assymetric case. After that my licence was re-instated immediately. Good luck, whichever way you decide to go.