70 Years Grounded
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70 Years Grounded
I have just read a fascinating book entitled Just Call Me Jack by Lesley Hazlitt with a Foreword by Peter FitzSimons. It’s about the life of Jack Hazlitt. Jack was a pilot flying satisfactorily until the following happened – to quote from the book:
It appears Jack, who had landed at Gallipoli, supposedly had a heart defect that was connected with his war service. The book goes on to tell of Jack’s incredible career, first with Qantas as an Engineer and then in a great range of other fields including adventuring around the world.
On 15 June 1993 Jack passed away just four months short of 96 years of age. I wonder how many other flying careers have been destroyed because of a mistaken diagnosis like this?
Up until 1921 anyone who had learnt to fly a plane could fly. Then a government authority was formed which eventually became the Department of Civil Aviation. Now every pilot was required to undergo a flying and medical test. Jack had no problem passing the flying test but he failed his medical. On 6 July 1921 he was informed that he had a heart condition and was immediately grounded.
On 15 June 1993 Jack passed away just four months short of 96 years of age. I wonder how many other flying careers have been destroyed because of a mistaken diagnosis like this?
I wonder how many other flying careers have been destroyed because of a mistaken diagnosis like this?
Destroyed???
I wonder how many lives have been saved when a routine medical examination discovers something that would otherwise go undiagnosed.
A quick search of this forum will find some very interesting stories.
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The medical requirement was as a result of the military being left in charge of a civillian programme which evolved into the bastardised bureaucratic monster it is today.
Many WW1 pilots suffered from "flying sickness D" which was an ignorant term derived from the debilitating effects of castor oil fumes they breathed. That later became know as Tuberculosis.
It is most probable that Jack Hazlitt had indigestion from dealing with these bludging parasites and was misdiagnosed with a bad heart.
Many WW1 pilots suffered from "flying sickness D" which was an ignorant term derived from the debilitating effects of castor oil fumes they breathed. That later became know as Tuberculosis.
It is most probable that Jack Hazlitt had indigestion from dealing with these bludging parasites and was misdiagnosed with a bad heart.
A quick search of this forum will find some very interesting stories.
I wonder how many other flying careers have been destroyed because of a mistaken diagnosis like this?
Then, 2 years later doing the same test and passing when I'm called up for Nasho.
Found out later again that the RAAF had their 'quota' of applicants and I wasn't colour blind after all.
Managed to survive 40+ years of commiting civil aviation inspite of Ronny RAAF.
CC
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I'm quite cynical about the medical profession in general -and the aviation practitioners in particular. It is my belief that many of that profession over-diagnose (note: not necessarily mis-diagnose) in an effort to limit their exposure to malpractice suit. In some cases, the practitioners use their profession to espouse a political stance for either a perceived personal advantage (notoriety? public profile?) or to advance whatever "politically correct" public stance they espouse personally or on behalf of a professional body -the NZWN Dr. that weighed into the NZWB wheels-up debate a couple of years ago being a prime case-in-point. Whilst what he had to say may have had merit in the event that landing went disastrously wrong, it was entirely inappropriate to suggest that potential medical considerations after the fact should have a bearing on the flight-crew's management of the event.
Aviation has long been at the mercy of the medical profession, I have no doubt that many promising careers have been curtailed due a surfeit of caution from Dr's. -as I have no doubt at all that the Regulator cynically uses withdrawl of medical certification to terminate careers for whatever "reasons" they deem appropriate. Maybe you just pissed-off an FOI one day long ago...
Aviation has long been at the mercy of the medical profession, I have no doubt that many promising careers have been curtailed due a surfeit of caution from Dr's. -as I have no doubt at all that the Regulator cynically uses withdrawl of medical certification to terminate careers for whatever "reasons" they deem appropriate. Maybe you just pissed-off an FOI one day long ago...
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Medical knowledge had advanced so far today that even a CASA clerk in Canberra is able to arbitrarily determine whether you are medically fit to fly an aircraft.
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70 years of regulatory reform
It won't be that long now until an unborn gnereation of aviators are saying 'christ I can't believe it has been 70 years since regulatory reform commenced' !
I have one mate who is alive today thanks to his medical. It picked up a dodgy ticker about Three years ago. Triple bypass the following week. He has his medical back now (PPL).
I have another who just got his renewed - he has a mild form of diabetes.
I had mine a while ago and was strongly advised to lose some weight and get fit. I'm doing my best.
I have another who just got his renewed - he has a mild form of diabetes.
I had mine a while ago and was strongly advised to lose some weight and get fit. I'm doing my best.
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An aviation medical effectively saved me.........
Military medical for flight crew did not detect a heart murmur despite the medical being relatively long and comprehensive. Did not make it through the interview board so no military flying but I still wanted to fly.
Civil medical, some 6 months later and blow me down I get told that I have a murmur and need to have it checked out. Dr said very easy to hear but not to worry about it until we find out why.......
Cardiologist does tests and discovers bicuspid aortic valve (should be a tricuspid) and says that I need to be careful with dental work/surgery/etc as I can introduce infections that will base themselves on that valve and really cause me grief (SBE - sub-acute bacterial endocarditis - I have subsequently seen the results of what happens (not me thankfully) - not nice at all and very debilitating).
DoA (as it was in those days) is told all about this and say no probs as long as you don't develop an infection in the valve. Class 1 medical issued no restrictions no problems.
I therefore advise all my dentists (have dental work and check up each year) and Doctors before surgery (have had a number of ops) that I need antibiotics before they start the procedure to provide coverage against infections. They all give me antibiotics and thank me for letting them know.
Had I not have done an civilian aviation medical then I probably would not have found out about this and taken the appropriate precautions.
All this happened 33 years ago and I still fly and hold a class 1 medical certificate.
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Military medical for flight crew did not detect a heart murmur despite the medical being relatively long and comprehensive. Did not make it through the interview board so no military flying but I still wanted to fly.
Civil medical, some 6 months later and blow me down I get told that I have a murmur and need to have it checked out. Dr said very easy to hear but not to worry about it until we find out why.......
Cardiologist does tests and discovers bicuspid aortic valve (should be a tricuspid) and says that I need to be careful with dental work/surgery/etc as I can introduce infections that will base themselves on that valve and really cause me grief (SBE - sub-acute bacterial endocarditis - I have subsequently seen the results of what happens (not me thankfully) - not nice at all and very debilitating).
DoA (as it was in those days) is told all about this and say no probs as long as you don't develop an infection in the valve. Class 1 medical issued no restrictions no problems.
I therefore advise all my dentists (have dental work and check up each year) and Doctors before surgery (have had a number of ops) that I need antibiotics before they start the procedure to provide coverage against infections. They all give me antibiotics and thank me for letting them know.
Had I not have done an civilian aviation medical then I probably would not have found out about this and taken the appropriate precautions.
All this happened 33 years ago and I still fly and hold a class 1 medical certificate.
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To many in the aviation industry, the only contact they have with the medical profession is at renewal time and this is generally seen as an effective way to force people to have a checkup. Much is advertised about annual checkup's on various mediums and indeed, the medical insurance company's provide for annual inspections. Mine even includes a dental check, physiotherapy, acupuncture, optical etc. etc.
To claim your condition was diagnosed at the DAME surgery puts that pilot in the catagory of a danger to himself because he hasn't the will nor perceived need to carry out a regular maintenance programme on his own body.
He stands to be a problem to himself and his passengers whether on the road, in the air or on the water because he can't understand the principle of preventative maintenance includes one's own health.
Just another example of the reasoning behind the bureaucrats in Canberra believing pilots can't be trusted to do anything without being forced to do so. After all they are all suspected terrorists, drug takers and alcoholics, so why should they be allowed to look after their own health?
Death is nature's way of telling you to slow down. I'd prefer to have a bit of notice to put my affairs in order if I don't have the option of dropping off in my sleep. I'm sure the passengers would agree.
To claim your condition was diagnosed at the DAME surgery puts that pilot in the catagory of a danger to himself because he hasn't the will nor perceived need to carry out a regular maintenance programme on his own body.
He stands to be a problem to himself and his passengers whether on the road, in the air or on the water because he can't understand the principle of preventative maintenance includes one's own health.
Just another example of the reasoning behind the bureaucrats in Canberra believing pilots can't be trusted to do anything without being forced to do so. After all they are all suspected terrorists, drug takers and alcoholics, so why should they be allowed to look after their own health?
Death is nature's way of telling you to slow down. I'd prefer to have a bit of notice to put my affairs in order if I don't have the option of dropping off in my sleep. I'm sure the passengers would agree.
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Tinkicker
I've just had the same diagnosis at 45 years of age. I had a heart murmer diagnosed as a baby but it was never picked up again, and that includes having 2 class 1 medical examinations. I recently had minor surgery and a trip to the cardiologist to check out some highish blood pressure results in being diagnosed with a bicuspid aorta. Like yourself, it's no great issue but just needs to be monitored. I may need some sort of valve replacement in 20 or 30 years time. I guess that depends on my lifestyle now and in the future.
I've just had the same diagnosis at 45 years of age. I had a heart murmer diagnosed as a baby but it was never picked up again, and that includes having 2 class 1 medical examinations. I recently had minor surgery and a trip to the cardiologist to check out some highish blood pressure results in being diagnosed with a bicuspid aorta. Like yourself, it's no great issue but just needs to be monitored. I may need some sort of valve replacement in 20 or 30 years time. I guess that depends on my lifestyle now and in the future.
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I've had a couple of interesting experiences with DAMEs and CASA.
The first one was my initial pilot medical back in the early 80's. I'd never really been sick, so never saw the point in frequenting the doctors surgery. Suffice to say he found something which, while not excluding me from holding a Class 1 Medical, did require prompt treatment, and as I was to find out later, saved my life.
My first run-in with CASA was about 10 years later following a medical with a certain 'flamboyant' Sydney 'ex Empire Test Pilot' DAME. While he wasn't man enough to ask me more than some very basic questions regarding some obvious surgical scarring I had, he found it quite reasonable to make notes on my renewal form (behind my back) which scared CASA off renewing it until I had jumped through their not inconsiderable hoops (and gone through quite a bit of grief) getting medical reports stating I had been in remission for 8 years.
The second was over an ECG quite a few years later which, due to departmental stupidity, and a lack of communication within CASA's medical department led me to believe that I had heart problems (according to their rubber desk Johnny). What they were really trying to say is that they only send their ECG's away to the Cardiologist ONCE A MONTH, and that sometimes there can be a backlog, especially if he is on holidays.
Once a month???? For god sake, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, CASA!
As you can see, I have neither respect nor confidence in CASA Medical.
Google: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
The first one was my initial pilot medical back in the early 80's. I'd never really been sick, so never saw the point in frequenting the doctors surgery. Suffice to say he found something which, while not excluding me from holding a Class 1 Medical, did require prompt treatment, and as I was to find out later, saved my life.
My first run-in with CASA was about 10 years later following a medical with a certain 'flamboyant' Sydney 'ex Empire Test Pilot' DAME. While he wasn't man enough to ask me more than some very basic questions regarding some obvious surgical scarring I had, he found it quite reasonable to make notes on my renewal form (behind my back) which scared CASA off renewing it until I had jumped through their not inconsiderable hoops (and gone through quite a bit of grief) getting medical reports stating I had been in remission for 8 years.
The second was over an ECG quite a few years later which, due to departmental stupidity, and a lack of communication within CASA's medical department led me to believe that I had heart problems (according to their rubber desk Johnny). What they were really trying to say is that they only send their ECG's away to the Cardiologist ONCE A MONTH, and that sometimes there can be a backlog, especially if he is on holidays.
Once a month???? For god sake, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, CASA!
As you can see, I have neither respect nor confidence in CASA Medical.
Google: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Last edited by Hugh Jarse; 12th Oct 2010 at 10:46. Reason: Sorting
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In the days of Kai Tak, the Civil Aviation Department was a stone's throw from the buildings housing Cathay and Dragonair. For Australians, the good doctor would complete two sets of papers, one for Hong Kong, the other mailed to Canberra. Invariably, the Australian medical certificates would arrive before the HK ones.
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I had a student once that was getting ready for his solo so we sent him in for his medical, they rushed him straight from the dame's office down to Sydney for a triple bypass, he credits flying to saving his life.
He never went solo but continued to fly in the club scene as a keen navigator.
It sound like jack had an incredible life, what is the ISBN number ?
He never went solo but continued to fly in the club scene as a keen navigator.
It sound like jack had an incredible life, what is the ISBN number ?
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I've always found doctors and psychologists to be the natural born enemies of pilots. One way or another its their job to ground you
That's a bit of a wide sweeping generalisation.
some obvious surgical scarring I had
I recall a renewal done shortly following a period of hospitalisation which had involved a biopsy on my ankle. The GP DAME, whilst attaching and removing ECG leads to the foot, chose not to see anything of the very obvious red-purple discolouration radiating from the not yet healed incision ... probably had something in his eye on the day, I guess.
Two examples of the other side of the coin -
Ralph Caponi. Originally a pilot (ANA) then GP and, eventually, electrical engineer. As a DAME he was faced on one occasion with getting a well known character back into the seat after the latter's being sidelined for some considerable time post motorbike prangs. In essence, Ralph just harassed DCA until they gave in on a "he (the pilot) can do it" basis. Mind you, the test was in a DC3, mates just about had to carry him up and down the stairs and the assy was a bit of a labour .. but determination was always one of the good chap's attributes.
John Colvin. The main man in the DAME eye game some years ago. Very much a pragmatist and on the side of the pilot. Helped me out with a minor muscular eye problem which embroiled me in a dispute with the MBF. Rode jumpseat on the Boeings a few times (I suspect he always avoided the cabin where he could) and always the thorough gentleman.
A couple of CASA DAME bosses in recent decades (whose names elude me just now), likewise, introduced/championed changes better to facilitate pilot certification.
That's a bit of a wide sweeping generalisation.
some obvious surgical scarring I had
I recall a renewal done shortly following a period of hospitalisation which had involved a biopsy on my ankle. The GP DAME, whilst attaching and removing ECG leads to the foot, chose not to see anything of the very obvious red-purple discolouration radiating from the not yet healed incision ... probably had something in his eye on the day, I guess.
Two examples of the other side of the coin -
Ralph Caponi. Originally a pilot (ANA) then GP and, eventually, electrical engineer. As a DAME he was faced on one occasion with getting a well known character back into the seat after the latter's being sidelined for some considerable time post motorbike prangs. In essence, Ralph just harassed DCA until they gave in on a "he (the pilot) can do it" basis. Mind you, the test was in a DC3, mates just about had to carry him up and down the stairs and the assy was a bit of a labour .. but determination was always one of the good chap's attributes.
John Colvin. The main man in the DAME eye game some years ago. Very much a pragmatist and on the side of the pilot. Helped me out with a minor muscular eye problem which embroiled me in a dispute with the MBF. Rode jumpseat on the Boeings a few times (I suspect he always avoided the cabin where he could) and always the thorough gentleman.
A couple of CASA DAME bosses in recent decades (whose names elude me just now), likewise, introduced/championed changes better to facilitate pilot certification.