Discussion:
Prozac Pilot
(too old to reply)
Alpha Propellerhead
2010-04-16 19:43:46 UTC
Permalink
"Under revised FAA rules, 'Prozac Pilot' hopes to fly again "
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/16/prozac.pilot/index.html?hpt=Sbin


It's interesting how many prospective student pilots I talk to who are
more terrified of taking their FAA medical than they are of actually
flying. Many of them are people who flew in the '80s or '90s and want
to get back into it, and their last medical was 10+ years ago.

The FAA has the unenviable task of making calculated risks that could
effect people's safety so that more good pilots can fly, in an
industry where if something doesn''t seem just right, you ground it.

When it comes up, I tell them about an airline pilot I met a few
months ago who lost her 1st Class due to cancer. F'king cancer. A
little more than a year later, she still furloughed, but she got her
medical back. I don't think that would have been imaginable (on many
levels) ten or fifteen years ago.
Mike Ash
2010-04-17 14:54:39 UTC
Permalink
In article
Post by Alpha Propellerhead
"Under revised FAA rules, 'Prozac Pilot' hopes to fly again "
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/16/prozac.pilot/index.html?hpt=Sbin
It's interesting how many prospective student pilots I talk to who are
more terrified of taking their FAA medical than they are of actually
flying. Many of them are people who flew in the '80s or '90s and want
to get back into it, and their last medical was 10+ years ago.
The FAA has the unenviable task of making calculated risks that could
effect people's safety so that more good pilots can fly, in an
industry where if something doesn''t seem just right, you ground it.
When it comes up, I tell them about an airline pilot I met a few
months ago who lost her 1st Class due to cancer. F'king cancer. A
little more than a year later, she still furloughed, but she got her
medical back. I don't think that would have been imaginable (on many
levels) ten or fifteen years ago.
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.

The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon
Mxsmanic
2010-04-17 21:15:30 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ash
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I agree.

It is interesting to note that medical incapacitation is practically
nonexistent even among automobile drivers, who have no medical exam at all to
worry about. For both automobiles and airplanes, certain personality traits
and things like substance abuse are a lot more dangerous than any medical
condition.
Ari
2010-04-17 21:51:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.

Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.

So ground yourself.
--
Ari's Fun Times!
http://tr.im/hrFG
Motto: Run, rabbit, Run!
j***@specsol.spam.sux.com
2010-04-17 22:14:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.
Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.
So ground yourself.
The FAA REQUIRES pilots to self-diagnose and ground themselves when
appropriate.
--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.
Ari
2010-04-18 03:46:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by j***@specsol.spam.sux.com
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.
Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.
So ground yourself.
The FAA REQUIRES pilots to self-diagnose and ground themselves when
appropriate.
Then Ash is good to go.
--
Ari's Fun Times!
http://tr.im/hrFG
Motto: Run, rabbit, Run!
Mike Ash
2010-04-18 01:47:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.
Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.
So ground yourself.
Maybe you should write a letter to the FAA and recommend that they
change the regulations which state that glider pilots only need to
self-certify their medical fitness to fly. I'm sure they have a special
file just for letters from people like you.
--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon
Ari
2010-04-24 14:57:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ash
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.
Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.
So ground yourself.
Maybe you should write a letter to the FAA and recommend that they
change the regulations which state that glider pilots only need to
self-certify their medical fitness to fly. I'm sure they have a special
file just for letters from people like you.
Already done that.

Next suggestion.
--
Ari's Fun Times!
http://tr.im/hrFG
Motto: Run, rabbit, Run!
Mike Ash
2010-04-24 16:15:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.
Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.
So ground yourself.
Maybe you should write a letter to the FAA and recommend that they
change the regulations which state that glider pilots only need to
self-certify their medical fitness to fly. I'm sure they have a special
file just for letters from people like you.
Already done that.
Next suggestion.
Maybe write the same letter to your local DMV, since incapacitated
drivers are pretty dangerous too.
--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon
Ari
2010-04-24 20:46:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ash
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
Post by Ari
Post by Mike Ash
While I would still prefer this mode of flight anyway, one reason I like
being a glider pilot in the US is that there is no requirement to take
an FAA medical. I've seen too many friends (who also fly powered
aircraft) lose their medicals, often for completely ridiculous reasons,
then have to go through an arduous and uncertain fight to get it back.
The odds of me taking anybody else with me if I'm medically
incapacitated in the air are extremely small. I'd rather decide for
myself when I'm no longer safe to fly, rather than have a giant
bureaucracy decide for me.
I'm sure you would. When you go all Alzheimer's on us, what a great
decision-maker you will be.
Let's just say with statements like this one where you are
self-diagnosing you're mental capabilities...you're already nutz.
So ground yourself.
Maybe you should write a letter to the FAA and recommend that they
change the regulations which state that glider pilots only need to
self-certify their medical fitness to fly. I'm sure they have a special
file just for letters from people like you.
Already done that.
Next suggestion.
Maybe write the same letter to your local DMV, since incapacitated
drivers are pretty dangerous too.
I'm doing everything you say.

I promise.

Next suggestion.
--
Ari's Fun Times!
http://tr.im/hrFG
Motto: Run, rabbit, Run!
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