Asthma...

Pietrantonio

Pietrantonio

Well-Known Member
I need some advice on whether or not this is a "fair" or "unfair" approach to my situation.

I have been flying since I was 15, and I have had Asthma (EI) for as long as I can remember. In the early years, my asthma was more of a problem. Now, my asthma is very mild, and the use of an Inhaler is rarely used. Also, I have had no hospitalizations within the past 8-10 years. Since I have been flying, my AME's have never questioned my Asthma. Here's the part that I find interesting. I have a color restriction, so I wrote the FAA in 2005 and asked for a clearence to take a Light Gun Signal Test. Instead, I got a letter back asking me to surrender my Medical unless I took a PFT (Cost me $1000) and submit the results. I took care of that, and now I have a special medical where it expires every year, and I have to submit a PFT annually so they can monitor my "Condition". Is this fair? I told the Flight Surgeon that sent me the letter, that I had been flying since I was 15 and NEVER had a problem with my asthma condition. His response was that I can write a letter explaining my situation every year to try to get things back to normal, but for now, I'm stuck in this situation. I feel like they were just looking through my file to nail me with something to make things miserable for me. :mad:

Aviation has been my life since my eyes could open. My dreams of being a fighter pilot where shot because of their requirements, and now my dreams of being an airline/civilian pilot are quickly diminishing as well.

What do you think? Anyone else have similar problems?

Thanks for lending your ears and advice. It's greatly appreciated.
 
It doesn't sound "fair" but it is the regulation.:( It used to be that you could not fly at all with asthma.

Now for the PFT test - $1000 is obscene:mad: , in Phoenix an office-based spirometry (which gives all of the information in the PFT, including everything the FAA wants, except a measured lung volume which they do not require) costs around $80. Ask your physician or the AME if they have a spirometer, if not look for someone who does. Most hospitals charge 2-3 times what it costs in a physician's office for many tests.

The reasons the FAA wants to monitor asthmatics are 1) to insure the disease has not progressed to a dangerous point for the individual and 2) to gather data for policy decisions (this is how the Special Issuance process has been developed). Thirty years ago you could not have flown at all as an asthmatic.

It is also important to remember that in asthmatic pilots, if their lung function deteriorates they are at increased risk for problems at altitude. Remember that the partial pressure of oxygen decreases with increased altitude, this can be a significant factor in a person with impaired lung function.

Mild asthma will not keep you from flying!
 
The doc speaks the truth! Don't let the man get you down!

I was (and probably still technically still am) classified as a moderate to server asthmatic. Heck, when I was 14 months old the docs thought I had CF for a while (until I finally got the test done and they realized I just had real bad asthma). Now I'm flying professionally on an unrestricted first class medical and I'm on 10mg of Singulair, 30mg of Prevacid and Advare daily. The FAA defered my first medical application, but after that everything has been nice and smooth.

The one thing that really helped was when I started going to an AME that was also an allergiest. He told me point blank he's never defered an applicant to the FAA simply because they had asthma and that he found a lot of AME's did so because they didn't understand asthma or how it's treated. Instead of taking a gamble on an application they (correctly) sent the application into the FAA. You might want to find an AME that is an allergist. I can tell you that I'm going back to this guy as long as he's practicing and after that I'm gonna move to Phoenix and hit up doc Forred here! :)
 
Thanks to jtrain609:) We will take good care of you when you move to the Valley of the Sun:insane:

What you need to find is an AME who is willing to take the time to 1) kinow and understand the medical standards, 2) know what is required for you to get or keep your medical, 3) be willing to take the time to call OKC and talk to the duty officer (doc of the day) to get answers, and 4) be doing flight physicals as more than a passing fancy because they fly or have a passing interest in aviation. There are not many AMEs who do this full time like I do but there are some in major cities. Most see other patients and most have large, busy practices. They are thinking about the multitude of other patient problems they encounter and look on being an AME as an easy break during the day. In spite of this, many AMEs do a good job.

The goal of the AME should be to 1) keep you flying if you are safe to so and 2) keep you in compliance with the regulations (that $250,000 and/or 5 years thing on the front of the 8500-8 is serious business).

Hope this helps you pick an AME:)
 
Just want to give a huge thank-you for all of the advice. I'm glad there is still hope in aviation. It's an expensive business to get started, and it's something I don't mind spending the money for if it's going to take me somewhere too. Thank-you for the advice. I do really have to find a good AME. I used to live in Minnesota, and my AME was really good. Then I moved to Florida and it was like picking a number out of a hat...taking the chance with this AME over that one. I work for American Airlines on the ramp, however they don't offer flight benefits:mad: otherwise I would getting on an open seat to Phoneix to see this Doc...:nana2: .

Thanks for all the advice from those who have replied.
 
Mr. Forred-

I admire that you are a physician. I am currently in undergrad studies with a major in Biochemistry. My goal is to go to medical school and become an Anesthesiologist. As far as aviation, I was hoping to get into a charter business (Something that doesn't require a demanding schedule, because I will have that as an Anesthesiologist). Just thought I would share what my goals are. Maybe they will help give a better understanding and provide a "clear" direction of where my medical issues will take me in the aviation business.
 
:) Great aspirations! What I am going to say may sound negative but I think you need to understand the reality of your plans.

One of the first things I would do in the current environment is being certain I had a broad-based education. Have a minor in non-science related fields. Medical schools are not looking for science nerds but rather well rounded individuals.

Medical school will be 4 years of hard work followed by 4 more years of residency. During these years you will have very little time to spend building your hours. In residency, most residents work 80 hours a week (now limited by regulation) and must read and study outside of that time.

REALITY CHECK!! When you finish residency (unless you are independently wealthy) you will be in debt around $250K. So to start a charter business will take some innovative financing. Maybe after you are in practice for 10 years or so you may have enough spare change to throw into a charter operation. Realize that charter ops require AVAILABILITY so you will need others to work for you because you will have liitle time to devote to it if you are practicing medicine full time.

If you can put it all together, it should be fun. I hope you can get it done. :)

OBTW – I have dealt with medical education for the past 32 years and am a Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona.

 
Pietrantonio - have you thought about air ambulance, that way you utilize both your medical, and aviation interest. There is many ways you could arrange the corporation to specifically meet your medical/aviation interests - which could include forgoing medical schools, saving time/money.

I am currently pre-med too (career changer at 23 ;) ), however I think one demanding career is enough. Maybe I can get some flying in - if I go into transplant. But hopefully by the time I would be in a position to sit in the back of a jet for 2 hours to retrieve an organ, a solution to the organ shortage has been sovled - that way I can walk down the hall, maybe even to a lab where the grew one specially!
 
I Money-

I have thought about a medical/aviation career, but I never really looked in depth as to how to get started, the requirements, etc... I had been interested in flying ems helicopters, but that's a tough position to get into so I've been told before. If you have any information about aviation/medical careers, I'm all ears and ready to learn. Take care, and thanks for the advice.

Oh, Mr. Forred-

I was curious to see how much a RT to Phx would cost, it was about 1000 dollars. I guess I will have to search for a decent AME in this area.
 
RT is as low as $222 if your fly with Doug (Delta).

I will check with some friends and see if I can find you an AME in Charlotte. Let you know in a day or two.:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top