Lost Medical- Any Suggestions?

[PowerCurve]

A good friend of mine just lost his medical at age 43- he has been diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes and has to take insulin. This is a deal breaker for a Class 1 FAA Medical, and he has had to medically retire from a major airline. For all of us hoping to take the final flight at 59 and 364 days this was a real wake up call.

He is struggling to find a job in aviation, a field he loves. He is trying to get on with the FAA, or a training department at a major airline.

Any suggestions? It is a tough time, for sure to see your career dreams shot down.

Thanks.

 

[Dizel8]

Not sure what his quals are, airplane types and such, but there certainly were some good training positions out there, although not sure how it is these days.

Wish him the very best of luck from me

 

[Wankel7]

That is really harsh. At least he shouldl be able to get a 3rd class medical. Take a look at these stats. So he should be able to fly.

http://www.leftseat.com/sistats.htm

Wankel

 

[PowerCurve]

Over 15,000 hours, ATP, Boeing 727, 737, 75-767 type rated. Major airline experience of twenty years. Before that, flight instructor, cargo and commuter airline. All civilian experience.

Geographically limited to the Pacific Northwest because wife is a partner in a noted law firm in SEA. He feels kind of useless, and wants to get back in the game.

 

[Dizel8]

Does Boeing do any training in SEA? Maybe ALK?

Found this on ALK website and it is in SEA!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Flight Instructor, Simulator Full Time - Regular posted 04.28.04
Seattle, WA

Requirements

REPORTS TO: Flight Operations Training Manager

PRINCIPLE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for flight crewmembers initial, recurrent, upgrade, and differences training in the fixed based and full flight simulators
- Develop lesson plans and conduct ground training modules covering aircraft systems, including normal, abnormal, and emergency operations
- Contribute to the development of training programs, visual aids and other training materials for classroom presentation and individual review
- Ensure training environment is prepared in advance, presentation media is operating correctly and required reference materials and distributed materials are available
- Conduct flight training in the FTD and Full Flight Simulator to develop and reinforce flight procedures in normal, abnormal and emergency flight operations
- Ensure technical accuracy of departmental manuals, including aircraft systems manuals, flight handbooks, performance manuals, checklists, flight operations manuals, and operations specifications

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Aviation background
- Possess an ATP certificate and an MD80 or 737 Type Rating is preferred
- Experience with Fixed-wing and multi-engine aircraft
- Four year aviation-related degree is preferred
- Two years college (Associates Degree) in the area of technical writing or aviation technology is required
- Knowledge of MD80 and/or 737 aircraft systems or type rating preferred
- Experience utilizing Word, Powerpoint, or other graphic software to create and instruct training curricula
- Able to lead classroom discussions and present both technical and non-technical information with high energy, passionate enthusiasm, and a commitment to excellence is required

 

[LearLove]

Flight safety in SEA in as well. Maybe dispatch for Alaska or Horizon, isn't there HQ in SEA.

Good Luck

 

[dixieflyer]

Alaska, Horizon, or Flight Safety would be good places to start if he wanted to become an instructor. I wish him the best of luck.

 

[PowerCurve]

Some great suggestions.

Thanks for all of the input. I will pass on the info ASAP!

 

[iaflyer]

Dispatcher

Assuming he's got an ATP, he could get a dispatcher certificate without taking the whole class. It would most likely be inexpensive to do, and not very hard.

Dispatching at a major isn't too bad. The money gets decent eventually (I understand). At the commuter level, the wages are low though.

Good luck to him - it's hard to leave aviation if you love it.

iaflyer

 

[rvsm410]

Type I, me too

I lost my medical the same way a few years back while in the military, was not able to fly at all and the FAA said no dice to a class III for my GA flying.

After about a year I departed the AF and decided to get my dispatch Tix been through a few places and then 9-11 got me as well. Been looking for a DX gig off and on with a regional carrier. The Majors were not interested without lost of DX experience or an inside sponsor, It's tough to go through this, and even tougher to reenter the DX field when you have been away for awhile.

I would suggest looking at the flight SIM industry. The Orlando area is taking off with many SIM ops there and I believe Jet Blue is moving to MCO next year as well. Just another Idea for him.

Good luck to him, he will need some.

 

[TonyC]

Re: Type I, me too

I would suggest looking [in] ... The Orlando area...

You can't get much farther from the Pacifc Northwest...

 

[PowerCurve]

It's pretty uncommon for most professional pilots to have to medically retire from Type 1 diabetes, since it is *supposed* to be a disease you get when you're a child... data indicates you are at risk until age 45- it is considered an autoimmune disease, not one of poor diet and lack of exercise.

It's interesting, but he tells me that if he worked for a Canadian Carrier, Type 1 diabetes is acceptable and you can continue to fly.

Not much support for changing the rules with the FAA here, where policy changes are slow. Plus, as I mentioned... not very many pilots encounter this medical problem- so as it is there isn't a whole lot of groundswell in challenging the FAA. Children who grow up with Type 1 can never get more than a Class 3 FAA physical, if that.

Keep the faith, hopefully all pilots in this situation can find their way.

 

[lowlycfi]

Keep in mind too, that he doesn't need a medical at all to give flight instruction as long as he is not ACTING as PIC. Also, you don't need a medical to get a ground instuctor certificate and use it. Hope everything works out.

 

[rvsm410]

Re: Re: Type I, me too

You can't get much farther from the Pacifc Northwest...

Sorry, "Tony" When I started to write this reply, only the original post was on the board. I see by a later post that he is limited to the NW.

Just trying to be helpful with other ideas....

 

[TonyC]

Re: Re: Re: Type I, me too

Sorry, "Tony" When I started to write this reply, only the original post was on the board. I see by a later post that he is limited to the NW.

Sorry, RVSM. I actually thought of that possiblity before I mentioned it, and thought the 2 hours (well, OK, 1:59) between the Pacific Northwest reference and your reply would have been sufficient to preclude that possibility. My bad.

 

[LearLove]

If he's the airplane lover nut guy and likes to work on stuff he could consider getting his A&P and doing GA stuff or if he has cash starting a vintage aircraft restoration shop. Maybe go to work for Van's out there in OR. Also mentioned was the CFI thing whan not PIC, he could specalize in BFR's (or whatever there called now), inst currancy, or commercial instruction.