Medical question

[PhilWest]

I want to go for my MPL later this year. In 2001 i had a heart attack, smoking, stress and whatever caused it. I'm in perfect healthy condition now, went for full medical tests again last week at my GP. Passed every test with flying colours.. :D

Just wanted to know that before i get too excited about flying, will the fact that i had a heart attack stand in the way of me passing the medical part of the training/license?

[DarkHelmet]

It should not - they put you on a Cardio-thingy-machine-goody and make you run and do some exercise, eye test, hearing test etc... How can they fail you if you pass all those tests?

You have to go to a CAA certified doc to have an aviation medical done. Cost about R750 and you have to have a chest xray.

[Mogas]

Philwest
A heart attack in 2001 will certainly not preclude you from passing the aviation medical if you are found to be fit at present. I believe there is a minimum wait period of 6 months after that sort of thing, retest med and reissue if pass. I doubt you will even have to do a stress ECG provided nothing untoward is seen on your resting ECG.
Good luck!

[PhilWest]

hi mogas/darkhelmut

i've done a full (Stress and resting ECG)... everything perfect. Just wanted to make sure how strict the aviation medical doctors and CAA are regarding this matter.

[Biggles]

MPL requires a Class 4 medical. This is alot less stringent, than for a PPL. I believe that they cannot fail you unless there is some indication that your medical history will in some way compromise your ability to safely fly. If you are fit now, and your Stress ECG is good, no worries. A Class 4 test every 5 yrs <40Yrs and every 3 years >40yrs.

2.6 Cardiovascular
(1) Any disease or abnormality, or result of disease or surgical operation, which affects the heart or circulatory system and is of a severity likely to cause functional disorder or sudden or subtle incapacitation.
Evidence of myocardial infarction, or significant hypertension, will be disqualifying unless acceptable and effective treatment has controlled any additional risk of functional disorder or sudden or subtle incapacitation.
(2) Disorders of cardiac rhythm requiring a pacemaker will be disqualifying unless acceptable and effective treatment has controlled any additional risk of functional disorder or sudden or subtle incapacitation.
Applicants with evidence strongly suggestive of coronary artery disease, including the presence of excessive cardiovascular risk factors, will be assessed as unfit unless adequate myocardial perfusion can be demonstrated and reversible risk factors controlled.

http://www.ggc.co.za/Forms/instrclass4.doc

[Morph]

Phil I am emailing you a document on the CAA Flight Medical. You need to do a class 4 medical. I see your email address given is a general one (support@.......) so I will use the folllowing heading CAA FMG for (flight medical guide) I think Page 44 is relevant to you. In short there should be no problems

[priester]

I had a by-pass a year ago and my PPL medical is valid again, after a whole series of tests. The protocol stated that the re-validation of the medical will only be considered if you had a valid PPL at the time of the operation. I do not know what the situation is for MPL medical though.

[PhilWest]

Thank you all for the replies

Got your email morph...... Must say i feel much relieved now that i know i should pass the medical... very interesting document!

[Morph]

Go see Dr Ashley Stoner 021 424 2003, he is at the Aviation Business Centre at the Airport

[Thunderboy]

a class IV should no cost much more than about R400.00 - if the doc wants to do an ecg which he should not maybee an extra R100. Try get a copy of your last ecg to take with to save that cost if necessary

BTW where is Philedelphia in SA

[PhilWest]

BTW where is Philedelphia in SA

Philadelphia is just north of Morningstar airstrip and about 16km away from Koeberg Power Station near Cape Town. I think its the smallest town in South Africa.

The town is surrounded by a number of airstrips including Wintervogel. So there is a lot of flying above my house......