70 Years Grounded
Bicuspid Aortic Valves
...I too have probably been saved by CASA-enforced medical checks. I too have a bicuspid aortic valve, diagnosed when doing the RAAF medical.
Some 20 years later I had an echocardiogram and my aorta had blown out to 54mm diameter (yours is probably about 25-30mm). The walls were stretched thin and it was only a matter of time before it ruptured.
6" of gore-tex hose was installed and I had my Class 1 back 12 weeks later, no restrictions.
Dick, it's quite amusing that you're having a go at the medical and safety standards of the 1920s in an effort to have another shot at the regulator in 2010
Some 20 years later I had an echocardiogram and my aorta had blown out to 54mm diameter (yours is probably about 25-30mm). The walls were stretched thin and it was only a matter of time before it ruptured.
6" of gore-tex hose was installed and I had my Class 1 back 12 weeks later, no restrictions.
Dick, it's quite amusing that you're having a go at the medical and safety standards of the 1920s in an effort to have another shot at the regulator in 2010
...and just for good measure
From the ABC
Airline captain dies mid-flight
Posted 9 hours 22 minutes ago
The captain of a Qatar Airways flight from the Philippines to Qatar died as it was in the air on Wednesday, forcing the plane to be diverted to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, the carrier said.
"Qatar Airways regrets to inform that the captain of Flight QR645, operating from Manila to Doha, passed away on board," the airline said in an emailed statement.
Qatar Airways said the flight was diverted to Kuala Lumpur, where a new crew boarded.
The flight "is due to land at Doha International Airport later today," the statement said, without providing additional details.
The airline declined to elaborate on the cause of death or release the name of the deceased pilot.
- AFP
Airline captain dies mid-flight
Posted 9 hours 22 minutes ago
The captain of a Qatar Airways flight from the Philippines to Qatar died as it was in the air on Wednesday, forcing the plane to be diverted to the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, the carrier said.
"Qatar Airways regrets to inform that the captain of Flight QR645, operating from Manila to Doha, passed away on board," the airline said in an emailed statement.
Qatar Airways said the flight was diverted to Kuala Lumpur, where a new crew boarded.
The flight "is due to land at Doha International Airport later today," the statement said, without providing additional details.
The airline declined to elaborate on the cause of death or release the name of the deceased pilot.
- AFP
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I personally found DAMES to be very helpful,
CASA need only be involved if there is a "renew by CASA only" limitation initiated by the DAME.
EDIT to add, the Qatar pilot most probably had a current class 1 medical.
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A colleague of mine had her routine medical several ears ago. She had a problem and was required to undergo further testing which she did. A month later the medical was renewed with no restrictions and no results of the testing was disclosed to her. She thought nothing more of it until 12months later when this problem manifested itself in quite a serious way and she went back to the DAME who told her that she still had the original problem that was confirmed by the original test results and that she probably shouldn't be working and her medical was pulled. The moral to this story is that you should ask for the results of any tests to be forwarded too your GP or make another appointment with your DAME to discuss the result of your tests.
The moral to this story is that you should ask for the results of any tests to be forwarded too your GP or make another appointment with your DAME to discuss the result of your tests.
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You are correct of course, but it "should" be initiated by the DAME.
A high protein in your urine will make CASA demand a specialist intervention and will thereafter be a perpetual requirement.
If you have a kidney problem, you have the personal responsibility and costs of regular checks, the report and cost for CASA, the DAME costs, plus the CASA costs, plus the time and effort involved.
How hard would it be to take your voluntarily obtained specialist report explaining you high protein and given the OK, along to the DAME who would issue your medical that would automatically trigger your licence.
But no, that would interrupt the empire building and make things easier for the applicant. Can't have that can we?
It's obvious CASA don't trust DAME's.
A high protein in your urine will make CASA demand a specialist intervention and will thereafter be a perpetual requirement.
If you have a kidney problem, you have the personal responsibility and costs of regular checks, the report and cost for CASA, the DAME costs, plus the CASA costs, plus the time and effort involved.
How hard would it be to take your voluntarily obtained specialist report explaining you high protein and given the OK, along to the DAME who would issue your medical that would automatically trigger your licence.
But no, that would interrupt the empire building and make things easier for the applicant. Can't have that can we?
It's obvious CASA don't trust DAME's.
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Frank -
"Those who trust us educate us."
T.S. Eliot
Doesn't say much for Fort Fumble..........
"Those who trust us educate us."
T.S. Eliot
Doesn't say much for Fort Fumble..........
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At Townsville in the early fifties went to the RAAF medical section to get some wax removed from my ears. The Doc arranged for a medical orderly to aim a water filled industrial size syringe into my ear to wash out the debris. The corporal Orderly gave one almighty push on the plunger and the water jet fractured the ear drum. Fixed the wax but good, though. Was then sent to a civvy ear specialist a month later (couldn't get an appointment earlier) who had a good look - wrote a report - and sent me on my way.
As I left his surgery I asked him the result? The snobbish bastard looked down his nose at me and said "I can't tell you that because this report is confidential and goes to your Commanding Officer".
My CO was on leave so I sweated out yet another month to know whether or not I was going to be grounded for good. To my great relief the ear drum had healed itself and I went back to flying never trusting RAAF medicos again.
Another story: Former RAAF pilot mate over 60 and now civvy PPL, goes for Class One renewal which includes Stress ECG. Within a minute or so of fast walking on the treadmill, his doc stops the machine and says have you any chest pains?
No - I feel 100 percent says the 60 plus PPL. The doc says indication here is you are about to die!. Turns out the machine was right and a very serious heart problem had surfaced which resulted in the PPL having heart surgery. He now swears by the vital importance of having regular (annual) stress ECG's.
As I left his surgery I asked him the result? The snobbish bastard looked down his nose at me and said "I can't tell you that because this report is confidential and goes to your Commanding Officer".
My CO was on leave so I sweated out yet another month to know whether or not I was going to be grounded for good. To my great relief the ear drum had healed itself and I went back to flying never trusting RAAF medicos again.
Another story: Former RAAF pilot mate over 60 and now civvy PPL, goes for Class One renewal which includes Stress ECG. Within a minute or so of fast walking on the treadmill, his doc stops the machine and says have you any chest pains?
No - I feel 100 percent says the 60 plus PPL. The doc says indication here is you are about to die!. Turns out the machine was right and a very serious heart problem had surfaced which resulted in the PPL having heart surgery. He now swears by the vital importance of having regular (annual) stress ECG's.
Bottums Up
On the flip side I've had two stress ECGs in three years. Both have shown a trace which can be an indicator of impending heart attack. Both required further testing, the first a Sestamibi Scan (radioactive die and more scans & another stress ECG) and the second a CT Angiogram.
In both cases I've been given a clear bill of health but it's a right painful rigamarole.
In both cases I've been given a clear bill of health but it's a right painful rigamarole.
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I was OK until I had a nuclear stress ECG a couple of weeks ago. (took 4 hours). Felt rotten after that and had to go to the Pub. After the first beer, I grounded myself for 48 hours. Long way short of 70 years though.
It's a wonder these tests don't kill more people. But I suppose if you're going to have an event, its probably best done in the prescence of a cardiologist.
None of this as a requirement of CASA by the way. Took it all on board myself as routine maintenance because of creaks and groans associated with the ageing process.
It's a wonder these tests don't kill more people. But I suppose if you're going to have an event, its probably best done in the prescence of a cardiologist.
None of this as a requirement of CASA by the way. Took it all on board myself as routine maintenance because of creaks and groans associated with the ageing process.
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I recall doing a Av Med once and asked the Dr a question which I thought was relevant (to me) and he told me to make another appointment to talk about that as it was not on the CASA check list!!
Lesson here is that to rely on your AvMed to highlight everything to do with your good (or bad) health is not really a good thing to do.
Some DAMEs are great, and others have trouble just arranging an eye test! There is one in FNQ in the later category and I find it amazing that he still has his approval as CASA are aware of his shortcomings!!
Part of the problem these days is that the Av Med section in CBR is staffed by Dr's that don't seem to have much aviation medical experience and therefore default to their book of rules rather than use their experience and expertise (should they have that) to make decisions that are safe & practical. They don't seem to care that at the stroke of a pen they can end a career and dont seem to give a sh1t about it. The appeal process is convoluted and expensive. I would make mention that there are two ladies in that section that have been there for many years and I have nothing but good to say about them and the trouble they sometimes go to in order to get the job done. Even when the Dr's are away, which seems to be far too often.
The other thing that gets under my skin is that the section seem to operate in a manner similar to MI5. Very little comes out of CASA about the medical process and the Dr's names and experience etc is never or vary rarely mentioned. They should have a page or two in every edition of the CASA safety magazine and operate in a open environment. Maybe then the understanding by both sides would be better??
Lesson here is that to rely on your AvMed to highlight everything to do with your good (or bad) health is not really a good thing to do.
Some DAMEs are great, and others have trouble just arranging an eye test! There is one in FNQ in the later category and I find it amazing that he still has his approval as CASA are aware of his shortcomings!!
Part of the problem these days is that the Av Med section in CBR is staffed by Dr's that don't seem to have much aviation medical experience and therefore default to their book of rules rather than use their experience and expertise (should they have that) to make decisions that are safe & practical. They don't seem to care that at the stroke of a pen they can end a career and dont seem to give a sh1t about it. The appeal process is convoluted and expensive. I would make mention that there are two ladies in that section that have been there for many years and I have nothing but good to say about them and the trouble they sometimes go to in order to get the job done. Even when the Dr's are away, which seems to be far too often.
The other thing that gets under my skin is that the section seem to operate in a manner similar to MI5. Very little comes out of CASA about the medical process and the Dr's names and experience etc is never or vary rarely mentioned. They should have a page or two in every edition of the CASA safety magazine and operate in a open environment. Maybe then the understanding by both sides would be better??
Bottums Up
When I moved to FNQ I found a local DAME, sans bedside manner. When he appended my medical as needing corrective vision without telling me, I decided to go back to my most excellent DAME in Fannie Bay, Darwhine.
I wonder if the FNQ DAME is the one to whom triadic alludes?
I wonder if the FNQ DAME is the one to whom triadic alludes?
