Airline Pilot Central Forums - FAA to require testing for Sleep Apnea

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- - FAA to require testing for Sleep Apnea (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/pilot-health/42954-faa-require-testing-sleep-apnea.html)

Falling asleep is a physiological response. If the airline blames you, then there are a few avenues to pursue. Is it your fault ? Did you not go to bed and sleep, were your overworked and not allowed to sleep? Were you out drinking all night? As a physician I know that falling asleep can not be prevented by the individual, the causes are the problem. I know that the flight time restrictions do not include the transport time of the flight crew from their original destination and I think this is the real problem. If the FAA wants to test everyone for sleep apnea, then they will get rid of everyone, because the more sleep deprived you are, the more you will have sleep apnea. It is physiological. So sleep deprive me and test me for sleep apnea, then fire me. Sounds like a plan..

Don't tell the FAA anything. Are you doing your job safely? If so, then they don't have a need to know. I can't believe this bureaucracy isn't sued more often because of their discriminatory practices.:mad:

As an Anesthesiologist before becoming a pilot, I can tell you with certainty that everyone has sleep apnea. The more fatigued you are and sleep deprived, the deeper you fall into sleep and thus have apnic episodes. This is physiologic. The sleep apnea business is different. They want everyone to get CPAP machines etc, just a scam. If you don't get enough slep, you will have sleep apnea, 140 lbs, or 240 lbs, its all the same. If they use this against you it is just a tool to remove you without fair scientific judgement and I would pursue this to the top if it was me they were after.

Has anybody with a Class 1 actually dealt with this recently? The ALPA docs say it's actually not a big deal to get a waiver after treatment...they claim to have consulted hundreds of cases and few cases resulted in lost medical certificates. ...wouldn't make much sense for the FAA to encourage folks to hide it. If anybody has gone through the diagnoses/treatment/waiver process recently please post some info.

Funny I should find this thread today. I have an appointment with the sleep Dr. in about 2 hours. I am applying for my 1st class for the first time. I had a medical procedure done a few years ago that prompted me to get records together before I went to see the AME. Well when I got the surgical records its listed on there that I had OSA. I was diagnosed with it like 8 years or longer ago with it and then I lost over 125 lbs and it became a none issue for me, so I forgot I even had it. Now I don’t snore, wake up at night ect. and I never fall asleep during the day. The FAA says weight loss is not enough, but if I don’t have it now what the heck am I to do? Get surgery and wear a CPAP? I am hoping that I can have another sleep test done and a daytime test and hope that all comes out clear. So my question is, if it does come out clear and I don’t have it even though the treatment doesn’t satisfy their criteria of approved treatment what are they going to do? Will I get a waiver or special issuance or should I just give up now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyGayle (Post 810368)

SkyGayle -

In my opinion your question is far to intricate in the details to hope of getting, and then taking, advice over an internet forum.
I usually refer users to the Virtual Flight Surgeon website for more detailed information or I understand that AOPA has AME services (Q&As) available for members.

Virtual Flight Surgeons Inc. -- Your One Source for FAA Medical Certification Waiver Assistance!

Good luck in your search.

USMCFLYR

I just called the FAA regarding Sleep Apnea which I have. I am furloughed and thought I'd jump threw the hoops before I get recalled. Last Summer I did a sleep study and confirmed I do have sleep apnea. I was issued a CPAP and the Sleep and Lung clinic monitored me threw a wireless device on the CPAP machine itself. My numbers are back in the normal range. I have to supply the FAA with all the paperwork of the Dr's findings from the sleep study plus the records of them monitoring me. They also said that when I got to my doctor for my 1st class physical, present these items to him and he can get an over the phone temporary approval to issue me the 1st class.
If you are a person that gets sleepy during the day, which I'm not, then there is that 'Daytime wakeful sleepiness' test but not everyone has to do it. All depends on the results of the sleep study and there after.
Hope this helps.

Did you receive the temp class 1?

I know a guy with a 1st class who carries a CPAP machine on overnights.