Skin Cancer and open cockpit flying

[ZULU1]

I am writing this with one eye as I am "temporarily out of service" having escaped from hospital. Also to apologise for not answering emails.. With several friends passing away from cancer recently, I decided to have a very serious red mark on my left eye and cheek inspected, it was skin cancer and has now been removed, it has left me with a very rearranged look. This will obviously heal up.

The bottom line and the reason for this post is to advise others that after years of water sports, flying, bikes, open cars and so on has eventually caught up and now paying the price, trust me this is not fun !! To compound this, British skin is not designed for Africa!!

So when you strap into that trike watch the sun.

Hope this creates an awareness
Cheers Paul

[Sukkelaar]

Trikes are not to bad as you sit under the wing and you are a bit protected, Gyronauts need to definately use some strong sun-screen protection.

Regards

[Wargames]

Trikes are not to bad as you sit under the wing and you are a bit protected, Gyronauts need to definately use some strong sun-screen protection.

Regards

No No Sir. I must admit that the dangers that zulu points out is real. Remember that trikes normally fly in the morning and afternoon, and thus in the sun. My wife gave me a bottle of sunscreen to keep in my flight suit, as I came home a few times with a red face (not due to embarrasment). Esspesially in summer time.

Hi ZULU,

Quick recovery to you.

Regards,

[Ian]

To compound this, British skin is not designed for Africa!!

Hope this creates an awareness
Cheers Paul

Pleased you got to it in time Paul, can only echo what you say.

As kids we would burn on holiday day one, peel etc , completely unaware of how we would pay years later... No real sun awareness, ramifications in those days..

I've been on melanoma protocol for 10 years now ... When these little moles turn, they can put you in a box in <6 months from when you 'feel' them. A visit to a dermatologist is so so valuable, these days they can detect them early enough.

Echoing Paul, if you do have moles etc, go and have them 'mapped', then in the future any changes are detected fast.

And it's not only trike pilots at risk, we all spend plenty time in the sun at airfields etc...

Hope you get flying real soon again Paul

Cheers Ian

[Tumbleweed]

Good post.

Amazing how the Aussie schools insist on hats in the sun and here they put the kids out unannounced for the whole day to cook. Check also there 'free- product sunscreen promo smear' at the Aussie open for all spectators.

Brille, pille, feel yourself and spot the inflamed dots.

Good one Paul, at least you're not popular here for your looks.

Speak soon.

[windswept]

It still amazes me that hats/caps or any other sun protection seem to be looked at with a "I only need that on holiday" attitude.

A work colleague applied for a job with a foreign airline and part of the application was a disclaimer regarding the high incidence of skin and other cancers with regards to aviation, which the company obviously don't want to end up in court over.

Im glad that you got the marks seen to ZULU1, Im sure the scare will make you look at the sun differently.

In the same light, always wear sunglasses in glare and other harsh light conditions. Many forms of blindness and eyesight degredation can be reduced or even eliminated when regular use is made of QUALITY eyewear. The real reason that pilots wear sun glasses is for this reason, as well as aiding in improving vision in the aforementioned harsh conditions. We know we are cool - were pilots. But loose your license and your just a passenger!

The african sun is harsh. It will wreck aircraft, skin or anything else left exposed.

I sound like my mother...

[Morph]

When they talk about "Pilots" they are generally referring to ATP's. These guys spend up to 25000 hours at high altitude, with reduced UV protection from the atmosphere and end up getting skin cancer on exposed skin. I know a retired 747 pilot who has skin cancer on his arms from all the years of wearing short sleeves.

I don't believe our type of flying exposes you to any more danger than other forms of outdoor activity. We typically fly for an hour or two, then land. You are probably more exposed all those hours wondering around the airfield after flying. Endurance sports such as running, cycling and suntanning, are far more harmful due to the fact that you spend more time in the sun.

Low wing aircraft can be a problem. Look at the pics of Mike and James, compare them from departure to now and see how tanned they have become.

RC flyers in particular are at huge risk because they spend extended hours looking up at the sky.

It is always a good idea to adequately protect yourself in any event.

Happy flying.

[Asel]

Hi Paul long time no see hope you are fully recoverd ANL Best regards to the goverment aswell Allen