Author Topic: Can epileptics learn how to fly? (Read 499 times)

Manedew · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2002, 02:38:47 PM »

http://flightphysical.com/

bet it's not allowed, sounds dangrous

What funked said ... sounds like you'd be betting your life.

Hope you can fly if you want to; It's your life after all.
GoodLuck

but think I'd think long and hard even if they do allow it, but thats me.

LePaul · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2002, 02:50:13 PM »

I sympathize with your ailment, but do you think its safe to yourself, or those you may smack into if you have an episode while pilot in command?

A friend of mine is epileptic...she had it under control for several years with meds, but now she is having them again. I think she is fairing well on new meds but its still too early to tell.

I wish there were a better answer for you.

whgates3 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2002, 02:50:18 PM »

as is now well know, in the US anyone can take flying lessons - i cant see any logical reason they shouldn't let epileptix fly dual control bird w/ an instructor...but they sure gave Bader a rough time in your neck of the woods - maybe they learned from their mistake

Dowding · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2002, 03:25:14 PM »

Sure, I realise that, guys - and sometimes when I'm doing 80 down the motorway I think very hard about it. A sobering thought, but I've been cleared to drive medically, in case you thought I was driving illegally. I had to give up my car for a year, and sometimes it was tempting just to pick up my keys and drive. But any temptation disappeared when I thought of the consequences if I had a seizure, killed someone and survived. I couldn't have lived with myself.

Guess it's just a pipe-dream. Anyway, in 20 years time, computer sims will be so good, I won't need a pilot's license.

I'm just extremely jealous of you guys who get to fly.

Sandman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2002, 03:27:44 PM »

Hmmm... you're cleared to drive but not fly...

Seems inconsistent to me.

Not that I'd fly with you at the stick... that would be silly.

qts · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2002, 03:30:28 PM »

Even if they allow you to fly, I would strongly advise against flying alone without another qualified pilot. In AH, when blacked out, you can quickly hit the X key to level out, but in real life, this isn't do. You may feel fine about taking your life into your own hands, but you'll also be taking others' too. How would you feel if you had a fit and crashed ito a school plaground, killing many children, but survived yourself?

You know epilepsy far better than most here. Evalute the effect of the loss of control that you experience during a fit. Then imagine having that fit at the worst possible moment.

Dowding · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2002, 03:34:15 PM »

I guess it comes down to risk to the public. With an A/C I could do more damage? A packed motorway at rush hour, at high speed would be a disaster as well.

If you saw the way I drive, sandman, I think that would be a wise decision.

I could say something tasteless about k/d ratios and AH... but I won't.

qts - like I said before, they won't allow me. But should I give up my driver's license for that same reason? I wonder sometimes.

Having a fit is the weirdest thing in the world. I've only had 3, and the first one I put down to tiredness due to over-work (even though I was a student, weird). But the 15 minutes of amnesia afterwards is really strange - in that time I couldn't tell you my name or what I was meant to be doing. I even had to ask my friend in the next room in the hall who found me, if we had exams. It was two weeks before finals started! Makes me laugh looking back on it, pretty scary at the time. Although talking with a lisp for 3 weeks due to having nearly bitten it off was pretty comical.

OIO · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2002, 07:59:24 PM »

Oooh blinky lights...

Vulcan · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2002, 09:29:18 PM »

non-stereoscopic vision.

IE, I have to get chicks to turn side on to see how big their boobs really are.

Ands really hard judging when to leap onto the sheep.

And when I'm tailgating you at 140km/h on the motor, its coz I really don't know how far away I am (saving that one for the judge!).

Quote

Originally posted by Dingbat

Huh? what's that?

Gunthr · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2002, 08:07:35 AM »

I can visualize throttleing down on final approach, looking through the slowing propeller into a setting sun and seeing that repeated flashing of the prop which could trigger a seizure.

One other thing that strikes me about epilepsy, is how easy it is to help someone who is having a seizure, but many people don't realize it.

You can quickly and easily save a person's life simply by tilting their head back to open their airway.

I once saw a group of about 20 college students standing around in a parking lot watching an epileptic die during a seizure. His face was liver and his lips were blue. Apparently none of them knew enough to give this kid an airway. I bent over and tilted his head back - Bingo, he got his air and his color back. I don't think the students even realized that they had just witnessed me save a kid's life.