Helicopter Flight Information
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Helicopter Flight Information |
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Medicals and Pilot Health - Should you be concerned?Of course you should, your career is at stake! Have you heard it said, "If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself when I was younger"? I know a few pilots in that boat right now. If you want to live a long healthy life, and if you want a long trouble free career in aviation, you should take good care of your health. You don't have to become a health nut, but you could give up the cigarettes and watch the figure just a little bit. I am fighting that middle age stretch just like everyone else. Smoking, excessive drinking, and chemical dependency will take its toll on your health, longevity and career. I am currently working with a middle age pilot who has just lost his medical for the third time. He has a multitude of health issues which ultimately are tied to his overweight issues. Now he has been able to get his medical back each time so far, and it looks as though he will get it back again. The whole point here is that even though he may get his medical back and continue flying, he will not likely be able to maintain health suitable to be able to fly until he reaches retirement age. Another issue is drinking and drug use. Nothing is worth losing your certificate. If you want a long career flying, you best do your drinking at home and give up the weed until after your retirement. Remember the pilots in Miami who were called back to the gate after the gate agent reported smelling alcohol on their breath? Neither of them will ever fly part 121 nor part 135 again. Not long ago, I had a visit from a dude who had flown for the regional's and other part 135 fixed wing. He was asking about getting his helicopter add-on and flying EMS part 135. I asked why he would want to do that when he could go to any regional and get a job and move up into the large carriers. He acted strangely and avoided a direct answer to that question. I later learned from a police friend of mine that he had been arrested for transporting illegal drugs on his private airplane. Much to his dismay, he to will never fly professionally again.
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