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

as you're interested in recreational flying, ask these people:

https://www.raa.asn.au/

You're a current widebody Capt in HK and CASA doesn't trust you to be PIC in a private aircraft in Aus? That's so ridiculous!

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.

"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.

Check your PM butthead! MAKE LUB 2 ME

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!

Good luck dealing with the bunch of ex RAAF and Indian Airforce has beens in Avmed. They are not risk averse, they simply won't take any risk, period. I'm surprised they let any pilots fly as everyone has a small chance of heart failure, stroke, aneurysm no matter how old, young or healthy they are. They really are a first class pack of :mad:

Avmed are very data driven. If that 1/10000000 figure is scientifically derived you need to show them what the actual number is and the methodology used to derive it. I have used this with previous case (not ms).
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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.