Any Privet Pilots here?

[AaronbytheC]

So I’m coming up on 3 years with dealing with HIV, my life is finally back to normal and I’d like to start flying again.   

I let my medical laps while I was piecing my life back together so I can't fly or get a BFR until I renew it.  I’ve read the FAA will allow you can keep your license so long as you meet certain qualifications… 

I’m hoping someone on this forum has already waded into these water and can give me their insight?

Feel free to send me a PM if you can help.

Thanks!

[emeraldize]

So, you saw this...http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/dec_cons/disease_prot/hiv/

I'm not a pilot, but posted this recently in another thread.

[skycee]

Hi aronbytheC

I'm currently training to get my pilot's licence and in the final phase of the ppl training, i just tested poz and yes it did mess up with my head, however based on my research and knowing that i can still fly so long as I'm healthy gave me the strenght to look beyond the diagonsis and I've managed to move on.

i did like to pm you so we could talk more, however i can't seem to find the pm icon on ur profile.

I'm currently training in SA

[AaronbytheC]

Emeraldize:  Thanks for the link.

Skycee:

I tried to send you a PM but it said you could not receive them...  Maybe you do not have an email address linked you our account here?

It sounds like you have not dealt with a medical since testing poz, right?  I've heard conflicting reports on the FAA's stance on HIV.  I guess I don't want to have to deal with someone judging me if I come clean to the FAA... 

I have not had to deal with it yet, but when I do it this time I will have to choose to lie or fess up...  I've been on Atrilpa for over two years now, VL is UD and CD4's are over 800 these days.  Honestly other than taking a pill with a half a bottle of water after I brush my teeth and head to bed I rarely even think about HIV!  I went 9 months between my last check up as my ID doc said there was no need.

I've been a pilot for just over 20 years, 2800 TT PIC, I have PIC time in everything from a 152 to a Citation Ultra.  It's been interesting to not fly the past two years.  People often ask me why I stopped flying, I just tell them the economy...  Can't afford it!   

[emeraldize]

Aaron

I'm sending you a PM

Em

[soccerboy85]

 there are plenty of professional pilots out there living with hiv in the US,  I'm one of them!  It's not a big deal as long as you stay on meds and keep yourself healthy.  You will need a special issuance medical certificate and this is based on CD4  counts and viral load. I think CD4  has to be above 350  and viral load less than 1000 if I remember right but there is a table they use if you Google it I'm sure you can find it.  It's  really no different for an hiv  positive airline pilot compared to someone with high blood  pressure as far as the medical goes.  you can still get whichever class medical you want.  however being that you are a private pilot and probably just doing pleasure flying,  you might want to consider not telling them.  it will make your life easier and  you can always come clean later on if you want.

[zach]

AMT here

Search for user "TheNormalLife" he's a regional commercial pilot and may be able to give you specific information

One thing I'll say, if it's a yes or no question, only give a yes or no answer.

[BT65]

Mikos, I have removed your two duplicate postings, but left Zach's here in case it is of use to you.  You should only keep your subject in one thread.  It avoids confusion.  Thanks for your coperation.

Betty

[TheNormalLife]

Thanks Zach, well, yes I have a CPL and work for a regional but not in the US, so I'm not really sure if it applies. I got infected about a month after my medical and I haven't taken it again; it is due in August.

My psychologist and the Social Services lady at my hospital tells me there are plenty of aviation license holders (including pilots); most of them FAs (who are required here to have a license) they all undergo pretty much the same med tests as ATPs.

I don't know about initial checks; when I did my training in the US I don't recall being sucked a blood sample for HIV testing, just a medical check (coughing while the Dr hold your nuts, included) and a questionnaire. That for sure you will have.

For renewal, they do take blood but apparently only for sugar levels; as far as I know, it should be specifically advised that an HIV test will be conducted and I don't remember in my 10-years career of anyone advising. I don't know if the examiner, as the issuer of an official register is excepted to tell but doubt it.

What I know for sure is that certain airlines will do ample examinations before hiring you; here the discriminatory laws are strict and being positive is not officially something anyone can claim to deny employment.

For my upcoming medical, I will just lie and say no. I don't have any symptoms and will be starting treatment really soon, so those scary CD4 levels I should hopefully never see.

Keep the blue side up and let me know how it goes.

Ray.


Absolutely agree with Zach. Just say "yes" or "no". if you're asymptomatic I'd go with "no"; as all the testing to determine you're fit to fly shouldn't be different from negative people.

[mikosheat]

I am asymptomatic.
Have been undetectable since March 2014 and my CD4 average in the 700's.

My concern is basically if the FAA has access to medical records, and if by not enlisting my medical condition and the medication i am taking if I'd run any severe legal risks.

From what I'm grasping here is that for flight school this might not be much of a concern unless i move on to a career in the airlines?

Basically this is what I am looking at when I'm filling for the MedXpress form online:

[TheNormalLife]

You have a virus in your body. I don't know if that qualifies as "illness". I don't know if the official, technical definition of HIV+ says "illness". HIV might develop into a syndrome; Down Syndrome people are not considered ill, are they? Bottom line, I'd put "no" as an answer.

Everybody have bacteria that causes bad breath; heck, we even use them to digest our food. Is everybody ill under that criteria?

I don't think the FAA goes that far into medical records unless you have an accident; there they might (not even them, it is actually the NTSB) investigate a little further.

Ray.

[mikosheat]

Thank you, I appreciate everyone's participation in this topic

[BT65]

Miko, please do not comment in this thread any further.  Keep all comments in your thread.  Thank you for your cooperation.
Miko's thread can be found here:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=58369.new#new





Betty