CASA and Multiple Sclerosis
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
CASA and Multiple Sclerosis
Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with MS and licensing with CASA. Specifically, I am trying to renew my Australian ATPL and CASA are demanding "as or with copilot" on my Class 1 (acceptable to me) but "with safety pilot only" on my Class 2 (unacceptable to me). I was diagnosed with mild symptoms in 2007 and since starting meds then, have been symptom free (12 years). I'm currently LHS on widebodies with an Asian carrier but would like to do some recreational flying in Australia on my return next year. Would appreciate any insights/experiences.
Cheers,
Spoilersrevgreen
Cheers,
Spoilersrevgreen
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 619
Likes: 687
From: Australia
Can’t give you any specific advice, but I can warn that you may just end up causing yourself an incredible amount of grief trying to deal with anything through CASA medical.
You could ring up and talk to someone, but the problem is next week when you call and get someone different you will be back at square one, and their opinion may be completely different to their colleague.
Be prepared for lots of pain and anger for no result.
You could ring up and talk to someone, but the problem is next week when you call and get someone different you will be back at square one, and their opinion may be completely different to their colleague.
Be prepared for lots of pain and anger for no result.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 511
Likes: 63
From: down under
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
I was wondering if anyone else had fought a similar battle (successfully!) and if so, which tactics had worked for them.
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 1
From: sydney
"You're a current widebody Capt in HK and CASA doesn't trust you to be PIC in a private aircraft in Aus?"
Hardly surprising VH DSE, CAsA don't trust ANYONE to be a PIC in private aircraft in Australia.
Hardly surprising VH DSE, CAsA don't trust ANYONE to be a PIC in private aircraft in Australia.
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Adelaide
Hey hey, old thread but wondering If you had any luck with with rec flying and MS?
I got diagnosed shortly after commencing flying lessons. It's super mild but I'm doing a course of antimetabolites to keep "stop it in its tracks" as my neuro said. All I have to do is my brain n spinal cord every year to monitor.
My neuro was surprised when I told him it's probs a detriment to flying as it's super common and lots of mild cases. I think in the US as long as one gets a neuro report it's all OK.
Otherwise I guess just do the lessons for fun, or look into sailing!
I got diagnosed shortly after commencing flying lessons. It's super mild but I'm doing a course of antimetabolites to keep "stop it in its tracks" as my neuro said. All I have to do is my brain n spinal cord every year to monitor.
My neuro was surprised when I told him it's probs a detriment to flying as it's super common and lots of mild cases. I think in the US as long as one gets a neuro report it's all OK.
Otherwise I guess just do the lessons for fun, or look into sailing!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Perth
My CAD Class 1 is "as or with" which allows me to do my job, and I haven't been involved in "recreational flying" previously. CASA are obviously quite risk sensitive wrt flying solo but all the neurological advice I have (including my DAME) is that I am a less than 1 in 1000000 risk of sudden onset symptoms.
I was wondering if anyone else had fought a similar battle (successfully!) and if so, which tactics had worked for them.
I was wondering if anyone else had fought a similar battle (successfully!) and if so, which tactics had worked for them.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 847
Likes: 372
From: Canberra ACT Australia
Avmed ‘cherrypicks’ whatever data puts a set of circumstances in the most catastrophic light and downplays data to the contrary. In my most recent foray against them, they backed down before an embarrassing finding against them. Australia’s foremost expert in the field said Avmed’s decision was based on “pseudoscience”.
Saying Avmed are very data driven is like saying the advocates of conversion therapy are very data driven. The advocates of conversion therapy aren’t bothered by data contrary to their beliefs.
Saying Avmed are very data driven is like saying the advocates of conversion therapy are very data driven. The advocates of conversion therapy aren’t bothered by data contrary to their beliefs.
