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Can i become a pilot??? (Read 1130 times)
Oct 7th, 2005 at 11:56am

EGNX   Offline
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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!  Shocked WHY! hayfever stops you from becoming a pilot!

Thanks in advance.  Smiley

EGNX
 

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Reply #1 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 11:59am

TacitBlue   Offline
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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. Roll Eyes
 

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Reply #2 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 12:46pm

C   Offline
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Earth

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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!  Shocked WHY! hayfever stops you from becoming a pilot!


I should be able to get you the RAF answer on Monday. It should be on the intranet somewhere. Have you spoken to the careers people?

I imagine the reason its a biggy is quite simple. As far as I know, hayfever mainly effects the nose, throat and eyes. Personally this year I have missed 2 weeks of flying due to having common colds, so I can understand why they may place restrictions on people who may suffer the symptoms.

Looking at the info below, saying that you suffer limited symptoms, it would definately be worth checking it out...


Quote:
Health and fitness
The Royal Air Force requires all recruits to be medically fit to serve worldwide. New entrants undergo intensive training that is both physically and mentally demanding. Accordingly, they must be fit and free from disease or pre-existing injury to meet this challenge.

If your application is accepted, you will be required to pass an occupational health assessment and a fitness test . Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable standards for entry in either test.

Before you are examined by a medical officer, you will be asked to declare certain information about your medical history to identify conditions for which rejection is automatic. Please note that your application will be rejected if:

You suffer from Epilepsy, Diabetes, Colitis, gastric disorders or Crohns Disease (or any other long standing bowel disorder).
You have had your spleen removed.
You have had a detached retina or corneal transplant, or had Incisional Keratectomy (i.e. Radial or Astigmatic Keratectomy). However, refractive error corrective surgery may not necessarily prevent you from joining the Royal Air Force.
You suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, or any other bone or joint disorder.
You suffer from hay fever causing severe symptoms or wheezing.
You suffer or have suffered from Asthma in the last 4 years. However, if you have been diagnosed previously as suffering from asthma but have remained symptom-free for a continuous 4-year period, you may be considered for RAF ground service but not aircrew.
You have a chronic eye condition.
You suffer from severe headaches or migraine.


 
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Reply #3 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 12:57pm

Hagar   Offline
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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.
 

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Reply #4 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 1:04pm

C   Offline
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Quote:
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.
 
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Reply #5 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 1:19pm

Hagar   Offline
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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.
 

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Reply #6 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 1:23pm

C   Offline
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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...(?)
 
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Reply #7 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 1:31pm

Hagar   Offline
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Quote:
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. Wink
 

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Reply #8 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 1:36pm

C   Offline
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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... Smiley
 
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Reply #9 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 1:39pm

Hagar   Offline
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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. Wink
 

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Reply #10 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 2:01pm

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

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Reply #11 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 2:38pm

EGNX   Offline
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Thanks for your repies BUT....

Quote:
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.
 

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Reply #12 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 2:43pm

Craig.   Offline
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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. Cry
 
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Reply #13 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 2:48pm

Hagar   Offline
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Quote:
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.
 

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Reply #14 - Oct 7th, 2005 at 2:53pm

beefhole   Offline
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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...
 
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