Wikiposts
Search
The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions The place for students, instructors and charter guys in Oz, NZ and the rest of Oceania.

Surgery and CASA

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 7th Sep 2011, 20:58
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: oz
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Surgery and CASA

I am looking at getting some minor surgery done in me guts and was worried how badley CASA is going to shaft me. Can anyone pass on there experiences with Casa and surgery.
airaholic is offline  
Old 7th Sep 2011, 23:13
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 2,455
Received 33 Likes on 15 Posts
Had cardio-thoraccic surgery when I was 30- DAME manual recommended 12 weeks off post-op. I had my Class 1 exactly 12 weeks later and was back in action 2 weeks after that.

Get your DAME and specialists all lined up to keep it to a minimum, then hope nothing goes wrong.
Horatio Leafblower is offline  
Old 7th Sep 2011, 23:17
  #3 (permalink)  
Sprucegoose
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Six months for me as recommended by DAME handbook, as with Horatio had everything ready to go and got it on the day!

PS: I have found the medical branch at CASA the most helpful Government department I have ever dealt with, keep up the good work!
Howard Hughes is offline  
Old 7th Sep 2011, 23:30
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: ...
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
[QUOTE]I am looking at getting some minor surgery done in me guts and was worried how badley CASA is going to shaft me. Can anyone pass on there experiences with Casa and surgery./QUOTE]

Well, if you get CASA to do it you're in big trouble..!!
What colour flowers do you like.....
CFPlnr is offline  
Old 7th Sep 2011, 23:34
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Outback Australia
Posts: 397
Received 17 Likes on 8 Posts
A workmate had laser surgery and was off for just under 3 months. From what I saw, get the specialist & DAME appointments/check-ups all lined up first. I learned it was easier to cancel an appointment you don't need, than sit & wait for a month for the next available appt.
outnabout is offline  
Old 7th Sep 2011, 23:41
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sydney
Posts: 289
Received 13 Likes on 8 Posts
Operations Normal

After your Op your DAME may need to get a letter from your surgeon and/or other specialists detailing what was fixed. Provided this doesn't alter your risks of passing out etc and you pass all the components of the medical, your class 1 renewal should be fine.

Just for personal well being, try to improve your fitness before, and get into walking etc as soon as you can after. Pm me if you want more details; I had major fuselage repairs in the lower back.

good luck

SB
Seabreeze is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 00:04
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: australia
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Having arguement with CASA at the moment over a small kidney stone
(1 mm) , doc says its ok and almost too small to get and will probably pass, CASA says no and will only issue restricted medical. As I fly single pilot this is totally useless and I am effectively grounded and in limbo.
What means do I have to have this reconsidered.
navajoe is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 01:19
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Queensland
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have the bloody thing removed or "shattered" mate. Go see your doc and book in. You could take 1/2 teaspoonful of bi carb soda every morning which does dissolve them over time....which you probably haven't got. If it grows (which it will) and obstruct your ureter your in big trouble.
PA39 is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 02:33
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: nosar
Posts: 1,289
Received 25 Likes on 13 Posts
When does your current medical expire?

If you have some months to go why tell CASA in the first place?

In my humble opinion a medical is to say you ain't going to cark it at the controlls, is this you? It is also my opinion that if you tell CASA then they will revoke your medical instantly and the onus will then be on you to show you are fit to get it back.
Aussie Bob is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 03:48
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: australia
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Bob.......I had one removed recently, the doc either couldn't see this one or missed it. I didn't know I had the other one, I went for my medical and had a haematuria which had to be checked out and after all the tests bingo, a 2.5 mm stone. This of course gets back to CASA after which your a marked man and have to prove your ok or no medical. I have an appointment aaaaggggaaaiiinn with the doc in a week to see what can be done.
navajoe is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 05:15
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Queensland
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Navajoe: stones caused by calcification usually can only be detected by an MRI.....ultrasound will not pick them up. Easy to overlook in most circumstances.
PA39 is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 06:45
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lisbon
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What is CASA's view on prolapsed sphincter's and gender reasignment ?
Cactusjack is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 06:55
  #13 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 2,455
Received 33 Likes on 15 Posts
What is CASA's view on prolapsed sphincter's and gender reasignment ?
I think it becomes mandatory for all GA Chief Pilots from June 2012.
Horatio Leafblower is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 13:20
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: 42 Wallaby Way
Age: 47
Posts: 200
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Leafy, thats gold mate. Made me laugh out loud (but quietly... can't wake up 'is nibs, he's on earlies tomorrow)
Pseudonymn is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 13:36
  #15 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: The Shire
Posts: 2,890
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Golden rule?

Dont tell CASA ****, unless you are dying or not fit to fly. If you need some form of elective surgery, take annual leave and get it done.

I got shafted for self reporting a flu that lasted longer than 7 days.

Never again!

If CASA were reasonable and had common sense, no problem. Get tied up in their process and you will be on leave without pay fighting the medical testing and public servant process without any income.

Now I have the MBF for just such an occasion.
The Green Goblin is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 21:28
  #16 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: nosar
Posts: 1,289
Received 25 Likes on 13 Posts
OK let's learn from Goblin, anyone who self reports anything to CASA deserves what they get.

Ditto for self reporting to a DAME
Aussie Bob is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 21:29
  #17 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Darwin
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi guys,

In my experience, most DAMES are pretty good. CASA medical department are excellent to work with. They actually care. I have heard of a few pilots who have been screwed, but they really helped me out.

I had my left arm severed and reattached. It took 3 years to heal, I only got about 60% use back.

It wasn't easy, but I got my medical eventually. Many letters written, meetings with lawyers. gps, surgeons and occupational therapists.

I now fly a falcon for a living... Not to bad considering that two years ago, I was a groundie for a Darwin GA company, earning about 20k a year.

Sounds like you will be fine. Just dont ever give up.
Baritji is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 21:33
  #18 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: nosar
Posts: 1,289
Received 25 Likes on 13 Posts
Good story Baritji and cause for reflection .... BUT the fact remains

Report anything to CASA aviation medicos and you will be grounded while they think about it and get reports and tests. Good guys or not, this is what they will do.
Aussie Bob is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 22:44
  #19 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: The Shire
Posts: 2,890
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Obviously you can't really hide a severed arm from them.

I'm glad you got your medical back though mate.

Did they place that silly two crew restriction on you?
The Green Goblin is offline  
Old 8th Sep 2011, 23:56
  #20 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,693
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agree with Green Goblin. Keep your medical advice and what you tell CASA completely separate. CASA may or may not react sensibly, but if they don't your life will be a living nightmare. Stan Tilley had a very good article about his experiences in the AOPA magazine some years ago. He essentially lost his medical for a year due to CASA mis-diagnosing dyhdration & heat stroke as a neurological condition. Once they are set on an idea a gaggle of disagreeing medical experts will not shift them. I had the misfortune to be the first Australian pilot on a particular drug. In the US it is specifically listed in the FAA medical manual as safe and not requiring FAA notification. It is a safe drug with no documented side effects, but CASA required a string of medical specialist opinions and recurring medical checks. Even an opinion from the Mayo clinic made not the slightest difference to them.
Old Akro is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.