On Jul 18, 12:28*pm, "vaughn" wrote:
"a" wrote in message

...

and that is probably
the first time many of us learn of an underlying problem.

Perhaps, but I don't know of any serious research that proves that the present
FAA medical certification system has any statistically significant role in
predicting/preventing incidents of sudden pilot incapacitation. *(The system has
virtually no role in detecting declining judgement, reaction time, or flying
skills; that is why we have the flight review process.)

The obvious exception of course would be eye examinations.

How so? *Actually eyes can get pretty bad before a person finally stops
compensating and seeks help. *The same is true for hearing.

Some health problems are preventable -- there are better reasons than
a desire to fly as PIC to stay fit, but no matter what the reason,
just do it! (Full disclosure, I own Nike stock.)

I tended towards overweight until I finally got serious about being a glider
pilot. *Then I took off the extra poundage and have been thus for the last 15-20
years.

I do agree some small number when learning of a problem from someone
other than a flight surgeon will try to hide it.

Agree with all above except the word "small".

If the uncovered
disease is cardio pulmonary messing around in airplanes around 10,000
feet without supplementary O2 is not smart and it would be a good idea
for a prudent pilot to know that.

True. *You can buy a blood oxygen tester for under $100.00 these days. *(Knowing
your O2 saturation at altitude is important, but is still not the whole story)

Vaughn

.

I have not attempted to find evidence that medicals prevent accidents
-- the research may not have been done. Not many accidents in GA have
medical/physical incapacitation listed as the cause, which does NOT
mean the medical certification is preventing such causes. There are, I
think we can agree, physical conditions that are not as much a cause
for concern on the ground as they might be in the air, but I have no
evidence as to how often the exam uncovers them.

I mentioned eye tests because some of us visit eye care professionals
at intervals different than we visit flight surgeons. I've already
learned my personal habits and findings are likely different than many
others who enjoy GA, but I based my comments on my experience and
those other pilots with whom I am friendly who pretty much fly like I
do (namely, the airplane is a business tool that can get us door to
door faster if the trip is less than say 800 miles faster than most
other ways.)

Good for you in deciding if you needed additional ballast you'd add
water rather than fat! There is some emerging analysis that tends to
suggest human life span in the US may stop extending and may in fact
contract with the increasing obesity and the problems that brings. We
were at a flea market at the Sate Fair Grounds in NC yesterday, and
came across -- I kid you not! -- a vendor offering chocolate covered
bacon!

What wine would go with that?