Medical Examination Failure- What Next?...

[Amnesia_Captain]

Hi Everyone! I have a question, very important one. This will change my life...

I am thinking of becoming a pilot, but what will happen if after 5 years of operation I will fail medical examinations? I know that you can appeal, but what if appel will not work?.. What will I do next, I will not have any University degree, nothing... What will happen with me?...

Thank you in advance,

Kind regards ))

[Hagar]

Hello & welcome. You don't say which country you come from, how old you are or why you're so worried. I assume you have some doubts about your health & ability to pass the commercial pilot medical. If this is the case I suggest you get medical advice so you find out what your options are. You might be worrying yourself sick over nothing. If the worst happens there are plenty of other jobs in the aircraft industry. If you can't pass the strict commercial pilot medical you can still work with aircraft & probably still fly privately for fun.

[Amnesia_Captain]

Thanks  :D

Well, Im about to turn 18 ) I actually recieved my Class 1 Medical Certificate (New-Zealand), and physically I am good, but I needed to do some furhter tests cause the original examiner said that Im slightly colour- blinded... So Ive done test and actually its not bad... So I am healthy. But, I just thought of the possibility of not getting Medical certificate later... just thought what would happen...

[Craig.]

My advice, go to uni first. Most airlines wont hire you without something behind you. Plus its a good fall back incase something goes wrong. This is the same for most aviation jobs these days.

[C]

I went to Uni for the exact reason Craig says - I have something to fall back on. There would be other options though - moving to operations based ground/management jobs, or you may even find that a medical problem just limits certain things, but does not rule you out of flying entirely...

[Nexus]

I know here in sweden and in the US you wont be able to become a commercial pilot with color blindness.
Private pilot may work, but nothing more.

Harsh reality, but color blindness is something the aviation industry doesnt take lightly.

[jrpilot]

If you do get a degree, the best would be in something not aviation related.

[beefhole]

Unfortunately, it's plain and simple.

If you lose your medical, (and the subsuquent appeal) you're done.  That's it.  As has been learned by too many pilots stocking shelves, it is extremely important you have something reliable to fall back on.

[beaky]

Even if you have no medical concerns, a fallback option is vital when pursuing a career in aviation... it's a capricious business.
 Also,even airline captains with steady work are taking second jobs part-time nowadays because of cuts in pay and pension benefits by the airlines.

[RitterKreuz]

i can vouch for that rotty!

there is a document called a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) that will allow color blind pilots to fly. Depending on the severity of the color blindness it could be listed as a "mild color dificiency".

To obtain a SODA you basically go out on the ramp and the tower sends 3 or 4 light gun signals your way and if you get them right they give you the SODA and remove the night flying restriction. I have heard of a few pilots with very mild cases of color deficiency making careers out of flying so its not impossible. I say follow a career in flying and seek a business degree or something of that sort.

good luck

[beaky]

i can vouch for that rotty!

It's a shame, isn't it; sorry to hear that.

there is a document called a SODA (Statement of Demonstrated Ability) that will allow color blind pilots to fly. Depending on the severity of the color blindness it could be listed as a "mild color dificiency".

To obtain a SODA you basically go out on the ramp and the tower sends 3 or 4 light gun signals your way and if you get them right they give you the SODA and remove the night flying restriction. I have heard of a few pilots with very mild cases of color deficiency making careers out of flying so its not impossible. I say follow a career in flying and seek a business degree or something of that sort.

good luck

Doesn't the SODA also apply to many other deficiencies as well, like handicapped pilots flying specially-fitted aircraft or one-eyed pilots?
I think the thing that grounds most pilots in  their prime is heart trouble, but I could be wrong about that.

[RitterKreuz]

yeah you can get a SODA for many reasons. seen it all from one armed pilots to one eyed pilots its out there lol

[RitterKreuz]

PS. pilots with Heart trouble and diabetic pilots are prolly the top contenders as far as being grounded goes.