Question on the medical...

"ET" wrote in message
...
"Casey Wilson" N2310D @ gmail.com wrote in
news:vF1Wf.5388$Od7.369@trnddc06:

WAIT A MINUTE!!!

One purpose of the SP class is to cut down the cost of flying by not
requiring you to pay some doctor to sign a form -- not give an
unqualified person a way to thwart safety. If you have a condidtion
that would prevent you from passing a third class medical then you
should NOT be flying.

The SP stuff explicitly says if you have a disqualifying medical
condition then you are to ground yourself. The rules do not say:
"Except for...... yadda, yadda."




ah, no....;

y'wanna show me a reference for that? The sport pilot regs specifically
EXCLUDE the section of the regs that list the disqualifying
conditions...

An insulin dependent diabetic can never get a PPL (afaik). but can
certainly fly as a sport pilot.


Sec. 61.53

Prohibition on operations during medical deficiency.

(a) Operations that require a medical certificate. Except as provided for in
paragraph (b) of this section, a person who holds a current medical
certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter shall not act as pilot in
command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember,
while that person:
(1) Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the
person unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary
for the pilot operation; or
(2) Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for a medical
condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements
for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.
(b) Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations
provided for in Sec. 61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot
in command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember,
while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that
would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

"ET" wrote in message
...
[...]
An insulin dependent diabetic can never get a PPL (afaik). but can
certainly fly as a sport pilot.

You're correct about the core point here, but I do want to point out that
insulin-dependent diabetics now have a certification path for obtaining a
medical. Being insulin-dependent is no longer an "auto-disqualify"
condition.

Pete

Richard wrote:
Hello everyone,

Long-time lurker first time poster...licensed skydiver. I'm interested
in becoming a pilot (age 47) but given that my best corrected vision in
my left eye is 20/40 and usually 20/50 (with hard contacts) as a result
of keratoconus. I'm anticipating the need for a corneal transplant
therefore to get the left eye to acceptable params. Has anyone here had
or know of anyone who has had such surgery and become/maintained flight
status?

Richard, you have a special situation. You certainly don't want to fly
if you are not safe. "Self certifying" does not lower the requirements.
So spend a few bucks and chat with an Aviation Medical Examiner. You
don't have to request a medical certificate so there is no risk. Good luck.

Medicals have been issued to one eyed pilots and folks who have lost both legs.

As advised, talk to the AOPA. They are great help...

"Richard" wrote in message ...
Hello everyone,

Long-time lurker first time poster...licensed skydiver. I'm interested in becoming a pilot (age 47) but given that my
best corrected vision in my left eye is 20/40 and usually 20/50 (with hard contacts) as a result of keratoconus. I'm
anticipating the need for a corneal transplant therefore to get the left eye to acceptable params. Has anyone here
had or know of anyone who has had such surgery and become/maintained flight status?

TIA

Richard

..Blueskies. wrote:
Medicals have been issued to one eyed pilots and folks who have lost both legs.

As advised, talk to the AOPA. They are great help...

"Richard" wrote in message ...
Hello everyone,

Long-time lurker first time poster...licensed skydiver. I'm interested in becoming a pilot (age 47) but given that my
best corrected vision in my left eye is 20/40 and usually 20/50 (with hard contacts) as a result of keratoconus. I'm
anticipating the need for a corneal transplant therefore to get the left eye to acceptable params. Has anyone here
had or know of anyone who has had such surgery and become/maintained flight status?

TIA

Richard



Gentlemen I thank you all for your responses and advice. At this point
I'm simply researching to see what will be required to obtain my ticket-
I've always wanted to fly and have a few times from the right seat but
usually I never land in the bird. ;-) Now that I'm getting older and
increasing my income I'd like to have an opportunity to go for the
dream...and see Big Bend National Park from the air at sunset and land
LaJajitas for dinner.