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Advice seeking: dream taken/can’t fly at all (BiPolar)
Hi everyone, a few years ago I discovered my passion for aviation, I was ready to go for my airline pilot dream. However, I have Bipolar disorder so that dream was painfully taken from me. It’s tough but it’s not as hard as it was 3 years ago. I always thought “at least I can fly privately” after looking into it more I found out this week I can’t even do that. In a pretty dark place, friends and family don’t really get it so I’ve reluctantly turned to the internet for possible advice. thanks |
Sorry, but mentally unstable people should not be at the controls of an aircraft (Germanwings etc). It can be a stressful environment and does not pair well with ill mental health. Good on you for putting your hand up and seeking help however you will have to find another career/passion as you will never be allowed to hold a position in the cockpit.
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Sounds harsh but you’ll get over it. As a child I dreamed about the Olympics and about being a concert pianist. I’m so tone deaf I can’t even whistle a tune and as a child I was about as athletic as Pinokkio. Everybody has dreams that haven’t materialized for whatever reasons. At least you never started and had your medical taken away. You have the (somewhat) benefit of never knowing if you were even going to be any good at it. Get into model airplane flying or flightsimming of you must. |
Location says "Portland." I know there's a Portland Maine. Maybe others? But PDX makes it look like Oregon, so US rules...
You can pursue an FAA Light Sport Pilot Certificate and/or Private Pilot Glider Certificate w/o a medical in the US. Before any individual flight you should give great consideration to your health at that moment. I would also caution to be very, very compliant with meds and other health factors. Have you pursued a medical? Or, you've just done research and know you can't get a medical with bipolar disease? If you've been turned down, then Light Sport is not an option. I fully concur that someone with mental illness should not have the responsibility for a plane load of passengers. Assuming, though, decent self awareness, I don't see Light Sport or gliding as any more dangerous to society than driving. I have given this very topic a lot of thought... My son, 26, is bipolar. I gave up a great job to move from Europe so I could be close if he had problems. That cost a lot of money, but was without a doubt the right decision. He would like to learn to fly. I have not yet told him that he won't qualify for a Third Class Medical. That means no Basic Med one day. I will happily teach him to fly gliders or light sport, though. He's self-aware enough. (I'm still the dad, though. I'm not w/o worry.) Don't give up on the dream just yet. YOU can fly; you just can't take a lot of people with you. |
VXPDX,
You mentioned "airline" aviation as your goal. If you aren't able to fly airplanes in that arena are you willing to consider being a part of it in some other operational roll ? There are other operational sides contributing to moving airplanes that require a license but not an FAA medical. Drug testing will be part of any safety-related roll so that would perhaps have to be factored in decision making. Have you considered this ? |
VX......
I would advice You to ask this question in the medical thread. I think You need the Moderators to move this Thread for You. Unfortunately for You there is no way You can be part of the professional side of the flight deck. But if it is any comfort the glory days are gone. I for one still enjoy it, mostly driving my FOs raged with old war stories Monty Pyton style! " Autopilot, bahh , I remember the old Beech 200,bla bla bla" Gliders or ultralight? A lot of my FOs do kitesurfing Hangliders was all the rage in the 80s, and is close to real flight? BTW: FAA is relay the one You should contact!? I wish You luck on Your quest! Kind regards Cpt B |
What have you done in the way of learning or doing flying?
What changed 3 years ago? The dream has only been out of reach for a couple days. No need to replace it immediately. Your other interests will take care of that. Relax. Do stuff you like. |
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