Concussion
 

I recently had a concussion and a broken shoulder from a skiing accident. I'll be out from flying at my regional for 6 weeks for the shoulder. I was wondering if anyone had any info/stories/advice on how the FAA looks at concussions. I'm not worried about the shoulder as much as the concussion.

Thanks

I doubt it would be a problem, as long as your doc says you have recovered with no ill effects. If in doubt, contact an aviation medical consultant for advice...might as well do it while you're shoulder is healing in case you need time to do any legwork or tests.

The biggy for the FAA is an unexplained loss of consciousness...a single instance of that can be grounding if you can't come up with a cause, and a subsequent cure.

Where were you skiing? I hope it was something good, off piste...

Gotta love Google...this is an exerpt from the Guide From Aviation Medical Examiners. Last update 01 Feb 2008.

" An unexplained disturbance of consciousness is disqualifying under the medical standards. Because a disturbance of consciousness may be expected to be totally incapacitating, individuals with such histories pose a high risk to safety and must be denied or deferred by the Examiner. If the cause of the disturbance is explained and aloss of consciousness is not likely to recur, then medical certification may be possible."

Sounds like you are good...here is the link:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...ia/guide06.pdf

Rick,

I was up in Steamboat Springs in the terrain park. I usually never go in the there but I got a little ambitious. I was doing the jumps to see what a little air was like. I went through once and was fine, but we decided to go again. The second time, my last jump was too long and I missed the downward slope. Not good :( So I hit the ground turning my shoulder into the fall and also hit my head. I don't remember much, but my friends had some pretty amusing stories about how I acted around the paramedics :)

H60,

Thanks for looking that up, I look into that farther.