Bipolar/Schizoaffective Disorder and Soaring

The fact that US glider pilots don't need a medical certificate
doesn't seem to alter the applicability of the FAA drugs list. Ref
61.53 and 91.17.

You can drive whilst using all the medications the OP mentioned, if you
judge that they do not make you feel dizzy or drowsy.

I can see why the barriers are set higher for powered aircraft than for
drivers - I'm not sure that it follows that they should be set equally
high for glider pilots. For example, gliders tend to fly further from
major airports and over less populated terrain.

In contrast it's pretty easy to take out 5 people if you mess up whilst
driving.

Just speculating - I don't suppose it makes any difference in the eyes of
the law.

vne

Doug Hoffman wrote in message ...

Now that really doesn't make much sense, does it? For example, if one is
taking Lipitor to control cholesterol the FAA is going to ground you? I
don't think so.

Regards,

-Doug

Ummm, Doug, you might want to check what is allowed and not allowed as
Lipitor is NOT a banned substance as per AOPA's medication sheet so
there is no reason for you to ground yourself if you are on such
medication......

First thing I would do would be to contact AOPA's legal
department if you are a member of AOPA. I would need
to do some research on this but taking a wild guess,
if you are bi-polar, I don't think you are allowed
to fly even if you think you are alright. The reasons
should be simple for this, and like I said, I will
do a little research before putting this in stone.
Bi-polare dissorder is a chemical imbalance in the
brain. It causes highs and lows which are interpreted
as euphoria and depression. Euphoria could be construed
as 'Hey everyone, watch this' and you make a mistake
because you feel like you are invincible. On the depression
stage, I think the FAA would be worried about you being
so depressed that you stuff yourself and your glider
into the ground.
Be really careful as I think that someone who is bi-polar
is not capable of saying that they are medically fit
to fly. Just my opinion so don't go jumping down my
throat...... I will try to find concrete information
later today.
Brian

As per the guide for aviation medical examiners in
section 4, it states that Bi-Polar syndrome is disqualifying
for a medical. I know, we as glider pilots don't need
a medical but this is interesting especially if you
are thinking about trying to get a medical to fly power.
It is just food for thought.
Under section 9, classes of medical certificates, it
states the following:
Glider and Free Balloon Pilots are not required to
hold a medical certificate of any class. To be issued
Glider or Free Balloon Airman Certificates, the applicant
must certify that he or she has no known physical defect
that makes him or her unable to pilot a glider or free
balloon. This certification is made at the local FAA
Flight Standards District Office.
Now, my question for you is that how can you certify
that you have no known physical defect if you know
you are bi-polar and you could not get a medical for
flying power because it is considered a failing contributor?
If you are on medication for bi-polar syndrome, you
are failing to comply with the FAR's as those substances
are banned by the FAA.
I am not looking to get into a shouting match. What
I would like to do with this thread is make people
aware of what is legal and against the FAR's. Nothing
more, nothing less, just food for thought....
Brian

This has not been true for the last 7 years.

Allan



"To be issued Glider or Free Balloon Airman Certificates, the applicant
must certify that he or she has no known physical defect
that makes him or her unable to pilot a glider or free
balloon. This certification is made at the local FAA
Flight Standards District Office."

By the way my Psychiatrist is a pilot and feels I am safe to fly provided I
take my medicines daily and I do...

But, I do need some clarification.
A medical certificate is not required for soaring is what I have been told
reguardless of medications or illness provided the pilot feels he can fly
safely.

I have never heard of a list of medications which bar a pilot from flying
gliders...

However I have done some research and read the FAA won't even issue a medical
to an applicant on unipolar depression so I did not plan to apply to face
certain rejection

Also, however, I am wondering if these psychotropic medications don't cause
problems with heatstroke and dehydration

I was hoping maybe an annonymous person would step forward and say they were
flying and it was not a problem

Lithium, Effexor, and Zyprexa are the ones I have taken for over two years

Also, by the way, my Pyschiatrist said getting back into flying would be an
excellent anti-depressant

The controlling and ONLY FAR you need to consider medically while flying
gliders is 14 CFR 61.53(b).

Allan

"DL152279546231" wrote in message
...
By the way my Psychiatrist is a pilot and feels I am safe to fly provided
I
take my medicines daily and I do...

....Snip...

The controlling and ONLY FAR you need to consider medically while flying
gliders is 14 CFR 61.53(b).

Allan

So now I am still confused. Do I read this FAR to say if you know you have a
medical condition but don't think it will interfere with your flying, fly. OR,
if you have a medical condition which would make you ineligible for a medical
certificate you cannot fly even in an operation not requiring a medical
certificate...

(b) Operations that do not require a medical certificate. For operations
provided for in §61.23(b) of this part, a person shall not act as pilot in
command, or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while
that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would
make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

DL152279546231 wrote:

By the way my Psychiatrist is a pilot and feels I am safe to fly provided I
take my medicines daily and I do....

Also, by the way, my Pyschiatrist said getting back into flying would be an
excellent anti-depressant.

It works that way for most of us, I'm sure, but if you are looking for
permission, I doubt you will find it here.

Go the official route and take your lumps, or involve your Psychiatrist and your
CFI-G in a constructive partnership that can perhaps get you airborne, and see
how things work out from there.

I wish you the best.



Jack

On Fri, 11 Jun 2004 22:02:15 +0000, DL152279546231 wrote:

By the way my Psychiatrist is a pilot and feels I am safe to fly provided I
take my medicines daily and I do...

But, I do need some clarification.
A medical certificate is not required for soaring is what I have been told
reguardless of medications or illness provided the pilot feels he can fly
safely.

I have never heard of a list of medications which bar a pilot from flying
gliders...

However I have done some research and read the FAA won't even issue a medical
to an applicant on unipolar depression so I did not plan to apply to face
certain rejection

Also, however, I am wondering if these psychotropic medications don't cause
problems with heatstroke and dehydration

Perhaps the question you should ask, is "how hot and dehydrated will I get
whilst flying" and "how much exercise is involved in ground-handling
gliders". Most people on the list would be able to answer these questions
for you, and you can take this information to your doctor who will be able
to tell you whether it is likely to be a problem.

I was hoping maybe an annonymous person would step forward and say they were
flying and it was not a problem

Lithium, Effexor, and Zyprexa are the ones I have taken for over two years

All of the patient information for these drugs cautions that they can
cause dizziness and / or drowsiness. They caution against driving if these
symptoms are apparent, and I think this would apply to gliding x2 (or
more).

Also, by the way, my Pyschiatrist said getting back into flying would be
an excellent anti-depressant

vne