CASA "Operational Check" required for Medical renewal.
 

Got a letter back from CASA yesterday saying that they wont renew my class 1 medical untill I do an operational check with a CASA FOI because my BMI is over 37. Currently 38.9 They are interestyed in my ability to enter, exit the aircraft and my ability to assist pax to evacuate the a/c in an emergancy situation, and ability to use the controls of the a/c.

Yeah I'm a little portly as allways happens in winter but I play squash no probs, ride 50km on my bike with no issues. I'm naturally a stocky sort being an ex swimmer and cyclist.My BMI has been around 38 since I was 20, never a problem before, so why now all of a sudden.

So now im in crisis mode, trying to lose some kilos ASAP, at least I have the time after being placed on indefinite leave from work. My career hangs on the opinion of a single person.

Has anyone else been through this "operational cjheck".

So anyone else comming up for a medical, make sure ur BMI is under 37.

G'day Oggie,

Been a long time between drinks old chum!

I did one for a student with Ankylising Spondylitis (basically full-body arthritis) - they were worried he wouldn't be able to turn his head/shoulders to do a proper lookout.

Having an FOI do the check is big time, though.:uhoh:

Losing the kilos will benefit you anyway. Do it.

I suspect you have triggered an age/BMI combo which is why it's a problem now and not before... I worked with a extremely fit triathlete who had to do an operational check as his standing heart rate was too low. The doctor who did the check took one look at him and said 'next'.

Good luck in passing your check, I suspect it won't be an issue unless you are physically unable to get in an out of your seat and your resting mass is touching things it shouldn't when in the seat...

Still a little motivation to loose a few kgs must be a good thing? I've seen a few people get put on a weight loss program with a target BMI, without a suspension, but threat thereof if they didn't shape up, but that's on the ATC side not flying side.

I know someone who had to this a few years ago. Similar reason, BMI too high. From what I remember, part of it was to see if he could get out of the aeroplane in a timely fashion in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Its a load of crap
 

The BMI table is crap. Its based on very old statistics. Anyone who is over 6 ft 2 inches in the old measure will tell you that to fit into the BMI table they are so thin that people start asking if they are ok. I know a guy who is 6 ft 4 inches tall and weighs 117 kg with a rested heart rate of 63 who would blow thw BMI table off the planet. I for one would never have the balls to tell him he is unfit.

Groggy

Well, the mrs has decided to take charge.

The cupboard and fridge have been emptied of all junk food, including my secret stash of double choc chip cookies. We've just been for a "walk".......actually more akin to frog march with 'cmon, get a move on , who do you expect top get your medicval back if you dawdle like that'..........honestly she'd give Usane Bolt a run for his money.

A treadmill has been orded......:ouch:

Now she says if that doesnt work, she will make me join her pole dancing fitness class. Now you have to picture the instructor, a gorgeous little thing, all of 5 foot nothing and weighs 48kg in a wet sack. But.........she makes a military drill sargent look like a wus. She is one scarey unit.

With a BMI like that you may need to look a becoming a AIRBUS pilot so you can pull back on a side stick rather than a control yoke:hmm:

Seriously you need to get on a diet of you have any career ambitions, Emirates wouldn't even interview you, they ask for BMI on their application form.

Metro,

As others have indicated here, your BMI is not the be all end all.

I have flown with guys with BMI's through the roof! They were athletes carrying very little fat.

However, eyebrow's were raised at the level of their BMI's.

What do they do? Stop participating in life and become walking skeletons?

[RANT ON]

The CASA medical section really need to get out of their Canberra offices and smell the roses!

What's with this BS about BMI and Alcohol and Drugs all of a sudden?

Public Servants justifying their positions!

[/RANT OFF]

Interesting.
There was piece in the rag a few weeks back where the AMA were flapping their gums that BMI was no longer considered a good indicator of a persons health.

i.e they worked out you could simply be a vertically challenged walking ball of muscle that skews the BMI result.

Using BMI as a guide to a persons ability to enter/exit an aeroplane is a crock. I know (sorry) elder guys that easily fit into the BMI index, but due to age have mobility issues.

Personally i think having a larger BMI helps aid your pax exiting, becuase you are large enough to 'aid them on their way out the door' :O

Yes, you can be an athlete who is a walking ball of muscle with low body fat and have a off the scale BMI... But are you?

People love to cite examples of athletes and uncommon exceptions to rationalise to themselves that BMI is meaningless to them.

It is not. BMI is a perfectly suitable indicator for the general population.

You are not the exception and neither is 99% of the population, if your BMI says you obese then you very likely are. Take it as a wake up call and an opportunity to ensure you retain your medical for as long as possible. If your BMI is 38+ now then the clock is already ticking for losing it for a more serious reason in the very near future.. Ones that can't be solved by throwing out the hidden bickies.

Just been through the whole BMI thing for a class 2 medical, got sent for a GTT ( diabetes ), and past with no dramas , also got a CASA letter stating I have to do it all again next time.
The result , I've decided I've had a good run eating crap food and have got on the healthy wagon , so far shed about 14 kg. The diet lady reckons my ideal weight for my 6'3 frame is 87 kg, yeh like that's going to happen, I'm going to be happy with any where below 100kg , oh yeh, and I've discovered I can fit into an RV7 after all, and that's real motivation!

Talk about timing!
I may have to exclude Alcohol from my rant above! Maybe it is a problem?

DG&P Reporting Points

Should just about cover the bone mass.

Hiya OG3 ... Longtime :) love your significant others attitude .. Play the game kick some ass :)

Yeh 87kg,,, told her the last time I was near that was 25 years ago and running half the length of the gold coast , training for three hours and running home,,,, that kinda energy just doesn't live here no more!!!!

What is your percentage of body fat? BMI does not take into account muscle. I love it when I go to the doctor and they say with my current BMI I am 'obese' haha.

This is probably very close to the reason why. There's a little thing called a 'cardiac risk table' or similar that is used in more and more medical assessments in recent times. Once you get older, increased BMI etc it starts putting you into the higher end of a chance to have a 'cardiac event'. It also takes into account if you're a smoker and elevated levels of cholesterol so it would become harder and harder for either a medical officer or in your case a CASA official to sign their name to it accepting the risk

All the best

BMIs..??
 

On one Cl 2 medical, I noted the Doc put my height down for my weight, and weight for height. I made no comment to see if I later got any query about how can a globular midget could even reach the pedals, let alone get into the aeroplane.
Filed without comment. Was a lot younger then so prob not seen as a cardic risk !!
I think that was the same Doc with the opening comment "you look well !", he was gone with the urine sample for about 2.5 seconds, sugar ok and the whole "medical" was done and dusted in about 5 minutes.
Never mind ..just a PPL so why should one get value for money.
Now of course you can do it with a Drivers Licence med and ops restrictions.
Safer, of course..:eek:

Well I've been trying to get hold of CASA for 2 days, someone, anyone. To organise my 'assesment".

They dont answer phones.

They don't call back, despite leaving numerous voice mails.

They dont reaspond to emails.

Starting to feel very despondant and frustrated.

Probably gone to ground after disclosing operators email addresses to all and sundry last week.