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Do you think that Form 2
inspections on your aircraft are a silly time consuming exercise? I hope you have all said
no. The same analogy should also
apply to the pilot. Lets be honest none of us are getting any
younger and I propose it makes dam good sense that we, the most important link in the flying equation
also have an annual or bi-annual inspection (medical) just to make sure things are on track.
There are stories out there of airline pilots doing their medicals and dropping dead 2 days later, but I have also
heard stories of guys and gals turning up for their Air Crew Medical (AMC) and finding they do have a
developing problem and it is nipped in the bud before is becomes life threatening – in fact
that has happed to me and I am still able maintain my Class One medical thanks to that intervention. The only people who should feel threatened by
an AMC of any standard are those who are likely to fail. From:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Allan Armistead To quote Patrick Barfield "Somebody else just made the point
that having an incapacitating medical event could be just as fatal while
driving a car as flying a glider. Anecdotally you hear of fatal car accidents
caused by drivers suffering heart attacks etc but I don’t see the public
or regulators clamouring to impose routine medical examinations for all
drivers. Why? Because it isn’t justified on a risk
assessment/cost-benefit analysis that applies just as well to gliding. " I'd suggest the reason people are not
clamouring for medical examinations for all drivers is because of self interest
- to their pocket. Most adult people are drivers, and "they"
would then have to pay for a medical exam. That's as far as they will have done
a benefit-cost analysis. And woe betide any government
(electorally) that introduced such a measure. Governments are good at being
tough on small groups that can't hurt at the ballot box (like pilots). Try
introducing a "biennial driving review" for all drivers on the
rationale that it keeps up their skill set - at a cost of well over $100
- and see how far it gets. Having had a PPL for many years, I
consider the medical a good reason to get a reasonable checkup at least every
couple of years. Like most guys I only go near a medic when I have to and that
fortunately is very seldom indeed. The only thing to show up so far on my
aviation medical was a hernia, which my GP commented "gee that's small,
I'm amazed he (the DAME) picked it up". But it did mean I got if fixed
while it was tiny and no problem. Allan
Armistead "When
once you have tasted flight, you will always walk with your eyes turned
skyward, for there you have been and there you always will be." Leonardo
da Vinci, 1452-1519 |
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