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!  WHY! hayfever stops you from becoming a pilot!

Thanks in advance. 

EGNX

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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...


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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.

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...(?)

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...

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.

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.

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...

I've never heard of a hayfever fit bringing down a plane, but I have read many accident reports where even over-the-counter meds were cited as a contributing factor, including antihistamines.
I used to suffer a little every season, and used to take Sudafed and stuff like that- even the non-drowsy formulas seemed to mess up my head. But I started taking nettle pills instead, and maybe it's a coincidence, but I don't get hayfever symptoms any more, even though I rarely take nettle now, just multivitamins.
  On the US FAA medical questionnaire, they do ask about such illnesses as hayfever, but the focus seems to be on what you're taking for it...

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Being a paramedic I can teel you this. Hayfever has been know to affect the respiratory system with symptoms that are considered to risky for military. Civy opn the other hand....I don't think is a prob

As for the meds........this is a big problem if it actually states on the bottle that you should not operate machinary. Even meds that are seemingly harmless can have an affect on someone. Example : I picked up a lady the other day who is in her late 40's. She has taken advil ( Ibuprofen) her entire life with no probs. I picked her up with an anaphylactic (alergic) reaction to taking the advil that her airway closed up and I had to drop an Endotracheal Tube(airway) down her just so she could breath. So this is why there are such strict rules about meds and flying. You can take food, meds, anything even bee stings, you can have them your whole life and not have a prob and then one day....BANG!!  I can also tell you that aftere 7 yrs in the Airborne that the military is able to regulate and control the rules MUCH MUCH more closley and strictly then civie land so this is why it seems like such a big deal.

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this is the biggest misconseption known in the medical field. These so called organics can be just as bad and more often than not are actually WORSE than the RX Drugs. Just because it says organic don't be fooled. I have worked codes (CPR) on people because they thought that the organics were not harmfull and potent and natural. Some people even mix them with their own drugs........THIS IS BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope it helps

Brent

Brent

The reason that herbal remedies work (the ones that do anyway) is because they contain the same chemicals as over-the-counter and Rx drugs. For example salicylic acid, which is the active in asprin is found in white willow bark. So if someone drinks some willow bark tea for a headache, its pretty much the same as taking asprin.

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I have FLP Bee propolis 3 times a day during the summer

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I dont know what the exact ingredients are because i cant find a jar in the house. It is not entirely designed for hayfever, because it uses bee honey etc... it works as an imunisation. Its not exatcly a drug.

IM confused! Lol

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You're welcome. It gave me a good giggle anyway.

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You have a good point & you know him better than me. I suspect most people in his business feel the same. Apart from pure honeycomb which I used to take for a bad sinus problem I have no experience of organic or natural remedies. As TacitBlue pointed out, some of these contain the same basic drugs that are used in the more familiar proprietary medicines. Being a natural product it's quite likely that they're less harmful without the side-effects of what is a mixture of different drugs. I'm not a doctor so I really wouldn't know.

In the end it comes down to what works for you & this involves a certain amount of faith in it. I had a sore throat a couple of days ago which I recognised as the symptoms of a bad cold that I get once a year. I took a dose of my favourite proprietary medicine before going to bed & one again the following night. Although I got the sniffles it didn't deveop into a full-blown streaming cold which from past experience it would had I not taken the medicine. It's all cleared up now & I'm back to normal instead of laying in bed for the whole weekend feeling sorry for myself.

I've also discovered that although there are many similar products available, this is the only one that works for me. It has no effect on my daughter who swears by a different one. I think they both contain basically the same ingredients so figure that one out.

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Misconception # 2  IT IS A DRUG. Acording to the Food and Drug admisnistration it is and they make the rules.  If it anywhere says on it that it is a narural helper, will relieve symptoms of (whatever), the fact that it is in a bottle and has ingredients posted on it for the purpose of helping with problems within the human body it is considered a drug. PERIOD. Doesn't matter if it is pure sugar coming from the bees butt. It is still a drug.

I will do some asking with the Doc here, and see what other info I can get.

I would take the bottle in and show it to the flight Dr. who will do your flight medical a see what he says. He will know more than anybody.

But i will see what I can come up with.

Brent

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Mmmmmm.....agreed......good point Charlie.

Brent

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Good luck on Monday.

The following extract is taken from the CAA website's Medical section, which is relatively detailed

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=49

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It is a lot more expensive.  If you can get commercial and get a job though (not even airline transport pilot), it can be very exciting.  Though we live on different sides of the world, here in Canada, if you can get a job bush flying, you'll be making tons of money more than with an airline or military, and a very adventurous thrill to it!  But like said, doing it the standard way is very expensive, so you better plan your way ahead.  Personally i have considered joining the military for flying, sadly here it requires a university degree, and even so, degrees don't necessarily get me anywhere.  Ive been in the army and sadly shortly there after, my health didnt hold out too great either 

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Isn't this the story of it all? I know exactly where you are coming from. I've allready had both my knees done as well as a bulged disk fixed as well. Got to love pepper - potting and hard landings......

As for the military flying....it takes allot of work. Yes you need a degree. You can get this while in the military. I have a friend who was in Air Cadets with me many many yrs ago and this is what he did. He went to Royal Roads....while it was still open.........got his degree in Space and Aironautical Science in 4 yrs......came out an officer. He then was an instructor at CFB MooseJaw for 4 yrs teaching on the Harvard II and Hawk. He was then picked for CF-!8 quilification. He was posted to CFB Cold LAke in ALberts flying the 18 for many yrs. Last November, he tried out and was picked for the Canadian Snowbirds demo team. He now flies Snowbird # 7. His name is Capt. Mike French.

This takes a long time but if your young, have patience, and are good at school.......he go fo it.
Myself on the other hand.......decided to jump out of them instead of flying when I enlisted. I have been a paramedic for 8 yrs now and am going through a career change once my wife and I move. My wife is american and we are moving to MN. I have my PPL now with 90.3 hrs of flight time in 172 & 3.2 in 150. Up here, this cost me around the $12,000 mark. I was told I did it fairly quick as well. I flew my flight test at 45.6 hrs of flight time. I will be going to a school in MN for 1 1/2 yrs and getting an Associates Degree in Aironuatical Science. This will give me the folowing ratings once done. Comercial lisence, Insrument, & Multi ratings. As well as my CFI, CFII, CFIMulti. This whole shebang is around the $35,000 mark. This is US $$ My flight instructor up her spent $77,000 for his training as an instructor and a crop sprayer. There are some people who spend over $100,000 up here........................soooooooooooo.............long story short..........if you want, can, and have the chance to go military...................GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

The US told me that at 34yr old, I am too old to fly military now........................don't waste the oportunity like I did.

Brent

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hmmmm...........I'm first born Canuck from a full English family...................I take it there is an age limit there as well? for flying the miitary? Any type.
Brent

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Between 17.5 and 23 on entering the service as a pilot, 17.5 to 25 for a Navigator, sorry, WSO's as they now are...

17.5 to 32 for Non-Commisioned Aircrew (WSOps, Loadmasters, Linguists etc...)

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This is true to a point......the FDA may not have it listed as a drug........but the FDA doesn't make the rules for flight. As for in the hospital or field situation...the FDA ain't woth the paper their so called "regulations" are printed on. That is why they are all considered to be drugs by allot of other organizations. Fortunately not everyone but the FDA has to play the political BS game.

Heck, some of the drugs we can get over the counter up here are Rx only in the US. Some of the really good drugs you use daown there we can't get up here. It really is a big "were government and our "willies" are bigger" type mentality.

This is why I suggest anybody wanting to start any type of herbal remidies and is flying....talk to your flight Dr. as you could be in violation and not even know it.

cheers
Brent

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I'd rather not look if you don't mind Beefy!