So as some of you might know, I was looking to go into the armed forces as a pilot. However, due to a recently developed medical condition, that option is likely to go out of the window.

I'm of course still enthusiastic about getting up in the air, and I'm still looking at gaining my PPL - Or even going towards the ATPL (British Airways are recruiting a certain number of cadet pilots each year, right around this time). University is my first choice regardless, as I will need a fall-back, but the piloting is a very close second.

I'm just trying to check my eligibility for the medicals before I proceed. It makes sense to know if I can apply before I do and get turned down. I've heard that some pilots out there have the same medical issue, but that they could still fly. However, I cannot find a specific document listing the "Yes" and "No" accepted conditions. Bear in mind, this is for a UK license.

I had a look on the CAA website but I could not find a comprehensive list. I'm sure a lot of it is subjective (will it affect my performance?) but is there an official guideline which I could look at too?

Though my eyes aren't perfect, their vision is at least 100% perfect, so that won't be an issue.


Cheers!

Well my sight is better than 20/20 unaided, so that shouldn't be an issue 

I think they're saying that I need to write in with questions as most of the analysis will otherwise be done for real.

It's an abdominal problem, but I'm still waiting back for test results and a full analysis. But as you say, 'the less you know', so I'll be keeping it secretive unless it should come up in a formal medical exam.

It's nothing serious, but it's enough to not let you into the armed forces. Most likely because they'd have to accomodate for a particular diet. I'm no doctor (but I would like to do a doctorate in engineering one day) and I don't see any reason why it would incapacitate me. It's most likely a dietary fix, and I hear some pilots just take their own food to accomodate for that anyway.

Unless there's something seriously wrong you should have no problem getting a class 2. It's basically height, weight, urine sample (for diabetes), a simple sight test (long stick with letters placed down it), a hearing test (the AME goes 'can you hear me' and the response has to be 'yes' to pass ) and an ECG (to make sure your heart's OK)

It's basically what you'd expect if you went in to a hospital and asked for decent health checkup

Class 1 is a little trickier, and one of my friends failed his for an eyesight issue (he wears glasses, but his uncorrected vision was too poor I think) He's now in the states, where the Class 1 is a lot less strict

.mic

C wrote on Jul 28^th, 2012 at 4:34pm:

Well as I was going through the list, I saw things such as egg allergy and nut allergy being problematic. Neither are an issue for me (though I despise egg, it is more of a mental allergy!). I could imagine medicines and treatments possibly containing such ingredients, but it seems more like a dietary thing.

I'm also very confident in their ability to cater for most others - Particularly vegetarian, halal, vegan (there's usually a grassy field around each base  ), etc.


However, I've been given medicinal treatment and need to go for my fourth blood test of the year to see what's up. The good news is that the University Air Squadron will still take me on - So long as I can pass a HGV medical test 


If I get better and stay better, I should be suitable. But at the same time, the length of my university course means I could be nearly 25 by the time I graduate - Not good when the entry age onto training is 24! I could always pass up a few of the years (industrial year, or my masters) but I'll play it by ear. I'd love to join up, but my age and my goals are in conflict.

C wrote on Jul 30^th, 2012 at 3:00pm:

Well I'll know which direct I'm headed for sure, two weeks on Thursday! The dreaded results day (again!)

So quite possibly university, or going for the BA pilot scheme, or just into work. Fun times for me