Can i become a pilot???

[EGNX]

Hey all,

Im 15 years old and i'm very determined to become a pilot (Preferebly fast jet) in the RAF, however i have hayfever, and i know that the RAF are quite strict on pilots having hayfever.

My hayfever isn't too bad, i sneeze a bit and it rarely causes my eyes to itch.

I was just wondering if anyone knew if i still had a chance of becoming a pilot in the RAF. Or if i cant join the RAF can i still become a commercial airline pilot?

Plus, if your really clever, could please tell me WHY!  :o WHY! hayfever stops you from becoming a pilot!

Thanks in advance.  :)

EGNX

[TacitBlue]

I don't know abut the RAF, but here in the US you can deffinately still become a civilian pilot if you have hay fever. The FAA a British CAA have very similer rules, and I would be willing to bet that they have the same standing on this issue. Though, I may be totally wrong.

[C]

[quote]I was just wondering if anyone knew if i still had a chance of becoming a pilot in the RAF. Or if i cant join the RAF can i still become a commercial airline pilot?

Plus, if your really clever, could please tell me WHY!

[Hagar]

I don't know the current regulations regarding either military or commercial airline pilots & Charlie would be your best bet for the answer to that. You have to realise that they are in a position to select who they want, not the other way round.

I do know a little about hayfever as my brother has suffered from it all his life. If he gets a severe attack it makes him incapable of doing anything except going to bed. The drugs he used to take cleared it up almost immediately but it stated clearly in the instructions not to drive or operate machinery for several hours after taking them. It's possible there is now an alternative that doesn't have the same side-effects but I wouldn't know about that without asking him.

[C]

You have to realise that they are in a position to select who they want, not the other way round.

Unfortunately that is the situation that we are now in. I was very lucky with my timing. The RAF is now in the luxurious position (for the bean counters) of being able to be very choosey about who they accept for pilot training...

EGNX, you may find that the situation has improved somewhat by the time you are at the age when you could join (18-24 yrs old). The current backlog is due to have cleared by mid 2007.

[Hagar]

I'm not trying to discourage anyone so please don't think that. I've always been of the opinion that you can do anything you want if you want it badly enough & are prepared to make sacrifices.

I think it's best to know the situation & this is how it is right now. It was much the same when I was 15 so I know what it's like. I knew exactly what I wanted to do from an early age & my only ambition was to become a pilot in the RAF. When I realised that I would probably be rejected on medical grounds (small eyesight defect) I had to face facts & became an engineer instead. This meant that I could still be close to my beloved aeroplanes & still fly them if I wished - but not make my living at it. I had a very successful career & enjoyed almost every minute of it. Even if you can't fly professionally there's nothing to stop you doing it for fun.

[C]

I'm beginning to feel the need for a full post on basic issues like this, certainly for the RAF at least, which could then be stickied...

Might be worth it...(?)

[Hagar]

I'm beginning to feel the need for a full post on basic issues like this, certainly for the RAF at least, which could then be stickied...

Might be worth it...(?)

If you think it's a good idea, this topic could easily be made a sticky. It already covers some of the common questions & the subject line seems appropriate.

[C]

I was thinking more of dedicated "Wanabee's" (as called on other forums) area maybe, and in particular something that covers a broader spectrum of requirements (medical, educational, life skills (whatever they are) etc...). Maybe a mod or admin will stumble upon my wafflings and give an opinion on the idea...

[Hagar]

If you're prepared to do it Charlie I can't think of anyone better. Of course, this would only cover your own area of expertise, the RAF & anything else you're clued up on. I think it's a great idea.

[TacitBlue]

Maybe those of us with concrete information on other areas of the subject (not me at the moment ) could then add to it once (and if) it becomes a sticky.

[EGNX]

Thanks for your repies BUT....

The drugs he used to take cleared it up almost immediately but it stated clearly in the instructions not to drive or operate machinery for several hours after taking them.

Am i right in asking that you can't fly because of the drugs you take to stop hayfever,

or is it just hayfever on its own??

I actually dont take any medication for my hayfever (Its not really that bad), i only have organic remedes to help.

[Craig.]

I think the best way to put it and Charlie can confirm it or correct it. They expect you to be able to operate the aircraft without any sort of condition that could otherwise affect your abilities. So if you have to take medicine that makes you drowsey then you wouldn't be much use in an aircraft where you need 100% concentration and spot on reaction times.
And seeing that list now confirms my chances of ever doing that job are over because of the severe headaches/ migranes.

[Hagar]

Thanks for your repies BUT....


Am i right in asking that you can't fly because of the drugs you take to stop hayfever,

or is it just hayfever on its own??

I actually dont take any medication for my hayfever (Its not really that bad), i only have organic remedes to help.

All I meant was that if he suffered one of these sudden attacks which often came on without warning it would have been impossible for him to drive a car, with or without the drugs, let alone fly a plane.

I don't know the rules so it's quite possible they would overlook someone like you that doesn't have such severe attacks. I suspect that given the choice they would choose someone who didn't have hayfever or any other allergy problems at all.

[beefhole]

Reminds me of my worry over the USAFs policy on Asthma and allergies.  They say if you don't have it after age 12, then you're good to go, and I was told I've outgrown my asthma and related allergies, but I'm not sure when the last mdeical record of it was...