Discussion
Today I went for a PPL medical, and was asked the usual questions about medical history. No blood pressure issues, no suicidal tendencies, no major depression, etc, etc.
When the question came up about hospitalisation, replied "yeah, had a tumour 15 years ago, no big deal, got it cut out, bit of radiation to ensure it didn't spread and even my doctor 10 years said no point in worrying about it anymore".
Examiner says, "well that's an immediate fail unless you follow up with the consultant and provide details of everything involved in the treatment and follow up treatments." Usually that wouldn't be a problem, but I was diagnosed while in Dubai, had follow up treatment at the Marsden in Sutton, plus further follow up in New Zealand.
I am currently trying to get the info required, but can't help wondering why having a tumour 15 years ago is an issue to taking control of an aeroplane? Most people I know who have suffered with cancer have suffered their last few days in hospital, not gone out and tried to drive a car or fly a plane.
Can anyone explain why it is such an issue??
When the question came up about hospitalisation, replied "yeah, had a tumour 15 years ago, no big deal, got it cut out, bit of radiation to ensure it didn't spread and even my doctor 10 years said no point in worrying about it anymore".
Examiner says, "well that's an immediate fail unless you follow up with the consultant and provide details of everything involved in the treatment and follow up treatments." Usually that wouldn't be a problem, but I was diagnosed while in Dubai, had follow up treatment at the Marsden in Sutton, plus further follow up in New Zealand.
I am currently trying to get the info required, but can't help wondering why having a tumour 15 years ago is an issue to taking control of an aeroplane? Most people I know who have suffered with cancer have suffered their last few days in hospital, not gone out and tried to drive a car or fly a plane.
Can anyone explain why it is such an issue??
I don't know the answer but there may be some clues here: https://www.caa.co.uk/Aeromedical-Examiners/Medica...
Get your GP to sign a LAPL medical, and carry on with your PPL whilst you get your EASA medical sorted out - and if you can't you'll still be able to do most of the things you could do on a full EASA PPL ( and 100% of the fun stuff - unless your idea of fun is flying a twin on instruments, at night, over water, in filthy weather - in which case you probably should get your GP to refer you to a psychotherapist).
If your eventual goal is to go commercial, then things are obviously a bit different.
If your eventual goal is to go commercial, then things are obviously a bit different.
As outlined above, go the LAPL route so that it doesn't put a stop to things whilst you get it sorted. Went for my medical on Tuesday I didn't get very far!
Within minutes of the medical starting I was back out of the door and off to the opticians. Always thought my eyesight was OK, but clearly not.
Better to find out now than miss something whilst flying.
Within minutes of the medical starting I was back out of the door and off to the opticians. Always thought my eyesight was OK, but clearly not.
Better to find out now than miss something whilst flying.
Anyone reading this with a view to getting their PPL OR needing a medical renewal, a word of advice....
If you have had or are having medical issues:
1. first check out every available online resource related to how it may affect your license
2. speak to an approved PPL doctor anomously. Word of warning, if they also cover CPL renewals the will be more anal (as I discovered). I remember a decent CPL/PPL doctor based at Stansted who was quite used to offering impartial advice to people worried about they flying future
3. remember 'need to know'.....hospital ops years ago are simply best not mentioned, especially if you have gone on to lead a normal life.
Ultimately, you know if you are about to drop dead or die of a nasty disease but, any hint of something other than 'vanilla' and the doctors will ramp up the problem, time and cost you proving you are actually ok.
If you have had or are having medical issues:
1. first check out every available online resource related to how it may affect your license
2. speak to an approved PPL doctor anomously. Word of warning, if they also cover CPL renewals the will be more anal (as I discovered). I remember a decent CPL/PPL doctor based at Stansted who was quite used to offering impartial advice to people worried about they flying future
3. remember 'need to know'.....hospital ops years ago are simply best not mentioned, especially if you have gone on to lead a normal life.
Ultimately, you know if you are about to drop dead or die of a nasty disease but, any hint of something other than 'vanilla' and the doctors will ramp up the problem, time and cost you proving you are actually ok.
The doctor for my initial issue was very easy going. He didn't even look at my glasses prescription but just guessed it from which line on the chart I could read. Vastly underestimated the strength of my lenses actually, which I didn't mind as I'm quite close to the limit even for a PPL. Unfortunately he was last heard of in jail, some misunderstanding regarding MMR check ups.
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