I believe that the predictive capability of the medical process is practically zero. We all know of Olympic athletes in the prime of life who have died of sudden cardiac issues or strokes. I can also think of more than a couple of pilots who have lost their medical certification-yet led very active and full lives for many decades past that point, and who would have been totally capable of operating a pressurized airliner with no problem.

The system is a hold-over from the military, where pilots used to operate in a single pilot environment which introduced a great many environmental risks. Modern airliners share absolutely nothing with that environment.


I'm no Dr, but I just don't see the point of our system-at all. I would better understand and agree if it had better predictive capability, but it is pretty much useless, expensive nonsense which protects no one.

 

Ya, just wait for the "fatty on fatty" rule to go into effect!

Maybe as long as one is carrying a CPAP

 

We're all ticking time bombs since the day we're born. For some of us it goes off when you are young and healthy, for others it goes off when you're a chain smoker and live until 100.


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I couldn't agree more! What's the deal with one medical a year under 60. I heard that was gonna happen, but haven't seen anything yet...

 

I would be OK with annual or even semi-annual (vice bi-annual) physicals, but there truly is a statistical predictive value in monitoring pilot health.

Although we're not pulling G's, age, health, circadian disruption, long days, and high cabin altitude all can add up to significant stress...and that's before anything goes wrong.

There are other things which could be done to improve statistical pilot reliability, but the FAA would hit a political road-block if they tried BMI or cholesterol screening as this would discriminate against obsese people, who are virtually a protected class in this country.

Just because you know somebody who lived to a ripe old age with a particular disorder does not mean that disorder doesn't have a statistical relevance.

 

Site worked fine for me today

 

Standing by for letter from the FAA informing me of a data breach and all my personal medical data now in the hands of Chinese hackers...

 

They are coming up with ammo to help end their astronaut physicals.

 

Agreed. Faa medical division is an obsolete relic stuck in the 1950s...twice a year is ridiculous. I don't mind some screening but the system needs an overhaul and some modernization.