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No Search Function?/Sleep Apnea

Old 11-16-2006, 11:00 AM
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Default No Search Function?/Sleep Apnea

Perhaps, I'm overlooking it, but I'm not seeing a search function. I want to look up information on sleep apnea, but didn't want to ask a question that has already been answered.

So at the risk of starting a new thread:

I'm 32 (today) and have one year left in the Air Force. I'm not a pilot, but have been thinking of going to flight school to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. I understand my age really will not play too much of a factor in getting a job, but I fear that having sleep apnea may affect it.

I talked to a school, and the advisor said he has apnea, but still flies. But, that doesn't help me in my situation. Will an airline hire me with sleep apnea? Sure, I can get a third class medical certificate to become a student pilot, but how about when I'm ready to go commercial? Anyone with experience in this?
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Old 11-16-2006, 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by bar10dah View Post

Perhaps, I'm overlooking it, but I'm not seeing a search function. I want to look up information on sleep apnea, but didn't want to ask a question that has already been answered.

So at the risk of starting a new thread:

I'm 32 (today) and have one year left in the Air Force. I'm not a pilot, but have been thinking of going to flight school to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. I understand my age really will not play too much of a factor in getting a job, but I fear that having sleep apnea may affect it.

I talked to a school, and the advisor said he has apnea, but still flies. But, that doesn't help me in my situation. Will an airline hire me with sleep apnea? Sure, I can get a third class medical certificate to become a student pilot, but how about when I'm ready to go commercial? Anyone with experience in this?

You have to have a certain number of posts before you can use the Search function. I searched using "apnea" and the only thread that came up was this one, so I assume it hasn't been discussed on this board.


I don't know exactly how to present this without coming across as delivering a sales pitch for another site, but I'll try. That's not my intent. I just want to help you with an answer. *************.com hosted a chat with Dr. Phil Parker of Virtual Flight Surgeons, Inc. (www.AviationMedicine.com). First he recommended searching their site using the keyword function to find their article that discusses the FAA policy on apnea.

Then he says the FAA considers any degree of Sleep Apnea disqualifying. It requires a Special Issuance Authorization or waiver. He talks about a "Maintenance of Wakefulness" test that is required to get that SIA or waiver. He siad the FAA policy is likely based on the fact that sleep apnea can result in increase risk for cardiovascular problems including sudden death.


Of course, they offer services to pilots to deal with this condition, and extend a 5% discount to PPW members.


Good luck!




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Old 11-27-2006, 08:39 AM
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I just went for a Class 3 and I was deferred. The doc said because of my sleep apnea, he has to send my paperwork into the FAA. And they'll be contacting me shortly about what medical records they'll require to review my license application.

So now, I wait...
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Old 11-27-2006, 09:01 AM
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Since you aspire to be a commercial pilot, I would have recommended you work on getting a First Class. If you can't get it now, you can be spared the trouble.

I also would have recommended... wait, I did recommend... the Virtual Flight Surgeons. They know how to work those types of issues, unlike the Doctor you likely saw who just sent it off to the FAA. Don't hold your breath now.

If you're serious about flying, contact them using the hyperlink in my post above and let them get busy for you. Sitting back and waiting for the FAA to come to your rescue is not a promising approach.




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Old 11-27-2006, 09:38 AM
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.....this was edited by me. It should not have been posted. Sorry.
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Old 11-27-2006, 02:13 PM
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A lot of job descriptions will say medical with no waivers. You may be able to fly at some 135 outfits, but its difficult to get into 121 unless you have an unrestricted first class medical.
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Old 05-08-2007, 12:03 PM
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I had surgery in December and another sleep study done in April. The doctor looked at the results and was comfortable to say my sleep apnea is pretty much gone. There were still something like 7 hypoxias, which he said is within normal, and people without sleep apnea can have hypoxias too. So, I asked him to send a letter to the FAA to that effect. Yesterday, I got a little impatient, as it was over two weeks and I haven't heard back from the FAA yet. I gave them a call to ask about the status of my medical. They said they just received the doctor's letter and asked that I call back at the end of the week to check on it. As soon as I get my 3rd class, I'll go back and apply for my 1st class.

I've begun flying. I have 2.1 hours flying time now. I still haven't decided if I'm going to get out of the military and take my chances in the commercial pilot world. So far, I'm looking at Delta Connection Academy and Pan Am Flight Academy.

I talked to someone else that's building his hours right now. He said not to believe the hype from ComAir. Good school, but timelines are unrealistic. He got his training done there and moved out here to AZ to build his time. If what he said is true about ComAir, I wonder if I should do the same thing? Get my training through them or Pan Am, then move somewhere else to build my time?
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Old 03-12-2009, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Rama View Post
A lot of job descriptions will say medical with no waivers. You may be able to fly at some 135 outfits, but its difficult to get into 121 unless you have an unrestricted first class medical.
Has this changed at all? I know a couple of airline pilots that have symptoms of sleep apnea but refuse to get checked because of the associated problems with a restricted medical. Once you’re on CPAP, you can be better off than the average pilot as long as you use it. I saw an article today that stated, “Approximately 2.4 to 3.9 million licensed commercial drivers in the U.S. are expected to have OSA”. I’m sure there are a good percentage of pilots flying in the airlines with it now.
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Old 07-24-2011, 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Conquistador View Post
Has this changed at all? I know a couple of airline pilots that have symptoms of sleep apnea but refuse to get checked because of the associated problems with a restricted medical. Once you’re on CPAP, you can be better off than the average pilot as long as you use it. I saw an article today that stated, “Approximately 2.4 to 3.9 million licensed commercial drivers in the U.S. are expected to have OSA”. I’m sure there are a good percentage of pilots flying in the airlines with it now.
Since I posted this in 2009, I think I may have found other issues why pilots don't get diagnosed and/or inform the FAA. One is the cost with the tests if you don't have insurance or your insurance won't cover it. Has anyone else decided to avoid testing and why?
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