Flying Doctors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying Doctors
I was at a private practice surgery getting my bi-annual Offshore medical once over today and the doctor mentioned he was ex RAF - told me he was a pilot as well. I said I'd never come across an officer who served in the Medical and GD flying branches. He claimed he was dual trained ? Seemed fishy to me but I left it at that. What do fellow ppruners think on this one ?
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Somewhere flat
Age: 68
Posts: 5,565
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes
on
30 Posts
Some medics were trained as pilots - I believe it was so that they could take personnel with airsickness problems airborne? I knew of someone who was regularly airsick during his training and the "flying doctors" sorted him out so that he could finish his training.
Edited to add:
I found that current day docs try to encourage healthy eating and discourage entering a chippy!
Edited to add:
The previous one also checked me out on the Chippy!
Last edited by Wensleydale; 22nd Oct 2013 at 20:40.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North of Watford, South of Watford Gap
Age: 68
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
I believe that a relatively small number of medical officers were trained to fly, from as early as the 1940s; they mostly worked in the Institue of Aviation Medicine (now the Centre for Aviation Medicine) undertaking research.
I think they remained in the Medical Branch, rather than transferring to GD.
I think they remained in the Medical Branch, rather than transferring to GD.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
A splendid chap called Mike Bagshaw, who was on UWAS in the early 1970s and I believe ended up as a senior medic with BA, was a medic who also flew. I recall him telling some interesting stories about low-level Hunter trips at one rather alcoholic reunion many moons ago...
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Hants
Age: 80
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying Docs
Danny,
In 1963 the junior MO at Syerston wore wings. He had done the basic training, got his wings and then reverted to being a doctor.
A friend had a problem and he diagnosed the issue leading to an eye operation and subsequent satisfactory career. He was about to be chopped when the doc got to hear about it and solved the mystery.
ACW
In 1963 the junior MO at Syerston wore wings. He had done the basic training, got his wings and then reverted to being a doctor.
A friend had a problem and he diagnosed the issue leading to an eye operation and subsequent satisfactory career. He was about to be chopped when the doc got to hear about it and solved the mystery.
ACW
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: raf
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybe he was a Dr in the RAF, but he had a PPL from the weekend flying club? Therefore the walt blags "I'm a pilot and in the RAF".
I knew an SAC who was a Cessna 152 warrior with 50 hours, who tried this trick every time he talked to a girl in a bar. Pitty he couldn't be himself.
I knew an SAC who was a Cessna 152 warrior with 50 hours, who tried this trick every time he talked to a girl in a bar. Pitty he couldn't be himself.
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The SMO at Sek Kong 1979 was a "winged" pilot, trained thru to fast jets, to better understand aviation medicine. Could always be found in a 28Sqn Wessex.
IIRC he was Iain Macoubrey
IIRC he was Iain Macoubrey
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Australia OZ
Age: 75
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 0
Received 53 Likes
on
46 Posts
CDRE Mick Flynn RANR mit Wings 2002
In early 1970s at least two RAN doctors went through Basic / Advanced RAAF Flying Training to gain their wings and subsequently one Mick Flynn flew the A4G and Macchi MB326H in RAN FAA. See photo in 2002 as a Surgeon Commodore with wings. The other surgeon went to helo flying in RAN FAA.
Click Pic:
Click Pic:
I joined the RAF with a guy who went operational on Vs and then left to commence medical training.
Whilst at S Cerney, he fell on his bayonet and, narrowly missing his eye, collected an impressive 'duelling scar' on his forehead. He later drove his car through a wall, partly detaching his nose.
The joke amongst those who'd known him at Cerney was that he had to do the doctor training to self medicate
Whilst at S Cerney, he fell on his bayonet and, narrowly missing his eye, collected an impressive 'duelling scar' on his forehead. He later drove his car through a wall, partly detaching his nose.
The joke amongst those who'd known him at Cerney was that he had to do the doctor training to self medicate
The doctor who did my civvy medicals had flown Meteors with the Auxiliaries.
So a bit more qualified than your average PPL.
So a bit more qualified than your average PPL.
Got the thought processes going - as a kid in Eastcote, W London, our family dentist was a R Aux A F Meteor pilot. When he found out I wanted to be a pilot any treatment was done to meet aviation standards.