Pneumothorax

Discuss and/or express your disgust about anything Aviation Medical
DontSneeze
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Joined: Jan 2020

Pneumothorax

Postby DontSneeze » Wed Jan 8 2020, 11:32

Hi all,

Recently had an issue with a collapsed lung and being the honest chap I am, I've declared it to CASA. Not the best timing with the fire season being the way it is, but oh well.

Anyhow, what I'm doing now is trying to get my ducks in a row to regain my Class 1 as soon as I can.

I've read through their standards regarding the pneumothorax, and they've sent me a letter essentially outlining the same details as to what they require.

Has anyone had an experience with this particular issue in the past and could provide guidance as to how long I might be waiting?

Had the VATS/pleurodesis/bullectomy surgery so I think that lung should be fine, but I believe they're concern is for the risk factors regarding a potential pop of the other lung.

Could anybody recommend a DAME they've used in the past that is good with this kind of thing?
DontSneeze
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Re: Pneumothorax

Postby DontSneeze » Mon Feb 17 2020, 05:08

For anyone in a similar boat, CASA were actually (surprisingly) good with this.

Rough timeline as follows:

Injury happened.
Sent CASA an email a few days later.
Declared fit and ready by specialists and DAME a few weeks later.
Letter sent by DAME to CASA around then.
Email received from CASA saying it had been transferred to the Complex Case Management process around 5 days later.
Email received from CASA stating they were satisfied that everything was all good and I had my medical back.

So all in, it took less than 2 weeks from receiving the letter from my DAME/supporting documents, and only 5 weeks from time of injury.

I considered not declaring it based on some of the horror stories I'd heard from friends in the game regarding AVMED, but I didn't want something happening down the track and having them find out I hadn't declared a medical issue in the past.

You all know how it goes. Even if you had an engine failure, it would be deemed to be caused by your non-declaral (word?) of a medical problem 20 years ago.

Very glad I took this option and based on my experience, as long as you have your ducks in a row and your DAME advocating for you, you should be alright.

It sounds like CASA are starting to use a bit of common sense and listen to specialists and their expert opinions.
godfather007
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Joined: Apr 2008

Re: Pneumothorax

Postby godfather007 » Mon Feb 17 2020, 10:02

Good for you!!
Well done for being honest, patient, persistent and sharing your story here for others to learn from. I hope you continue the passion for flying a real machine, The wonderful Helicopter.
There is always an option.

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