Bipolar/Schizoaffective Disorder and Soaring

I am wondering how many others suffer from a mental disorder such as Bipolar or
Schizoaffective disorder seek out soaring because of it's lack of medical
certification requirements. Also, I am wondering what options there are to
taking medications which state, 'to avoid heatstroke it is important to not
become overheated through excercise etc.' I am not currently flying but getting
closer to taking up soaring

(DL152279546231) wrote in message ...
I am wondering how many others suffer from a mental disorder such as Bipolar or
Schizoaffective disorder seek out soaring because of it's lack of medical
certification requirements. Also, I am wondering what options there are to
taking medications which state, 'to avoid heatstroke it is important to not
become overheated through excercise etc.' I am not currently flying but getting
closer to taking up soaring

Are you suggesting soaring has a special attraction to the mentally
ill? Actually that would explain alot.

This could be the big marketing opportunity the SSA has been waiting
for.

Liam Finley wrote:

(DL152279546231) wrote in message ...

I am wondering how many others suffer from a mental disorder such as Bipolar or
Schizoaffective disorder seek out soaring because of it's lack of medical
certification requirements. Also, I am wondering what options there are to
taking medications which state, 'to avoid heatstroke it is important to not
become overheated through excercise etc.' I am not currently flying but getting
closer to taking up soaring


Are you suggesting soaring has a special attraction to the mentally
ill? Actually that would explain alot.

This could be the big marketing opportunity the SSA has been waiting
for.

They could get tie in adds with Depakote.

DL152279546231 wrote:

I am wondering how many others suffer from a mental disorder such as Bipolar
or
Schizoaffective disorder seek out soaring because of it's lack of medical
certification requirements. Also, I am wondering what options there are to
taking medications which state, 'to avoid heatstroke it is important to not
become overheated through excercise etc.' I am not currently flying but
getting
closer to taking up soaring

The decision of whether or not you are physically and mentally fit to fly
gliders is basically yours. I experience chronic daily headaches (migraine
variant) and take several medications to control the condition. There have
been days when I knew I was not "fit to fly" and I didn't. Usually it is
not a problem, thankfully. But I believe that especially those of us with
these kinds of issues must be very careful in our "fit to fly"
decision-making.

Regards and good luck,

-Doug

On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 18:26:11 +0000, DL152279546231 wrote:

I am wondering how many others suffer from a mental disorder such as Bipolar or
Schizoaffective disorder seek out soaring because of it's lack of medical
certification requirements.

I don't know, but I hope it works out for you. I guess it goes without
saying that flying on a high or a low would be best avoided.

Also, I am wondering what options there are to taking medications which
state, 'to avoid heatstroke it is important to not become overheated
through excercise etc.'

Hang gliding is my thing so my opinions on fixed-wing flying is
questionable. I read a paper to the effect that dehydration (which
will exacerbate heatstroke) is common in long fixed-wing flights - so take
plenty of water. I don't know where (i.e. what climate) you plan on flying
in, but heat and altitude have never gone together in my experience.
Perhaps you should ask your doctor, who should know quite how critical the
injuction to avoid heatstroke is and whether any of your medications might
affect your reactions, vision or balance.

I am not currently flying but getting closer to taking up soaring

Take care,

vne

You might want to check on the FAA's web page in the
medical section as the last time I checked, all medications
for treating Bi-polar syndrome are illegal in regards
to flying. I, unfortunatly, know a little about bi-polar
syndrom from my ex wife. When I went to take my medical
for power, I asked the examiner about those medications
and he said that most of them are also used to treat
seizures. If you are in an accident or give the FAA
any reason to want a blood or urine sample and they
find any of those drugs in your system, I would hate
to see what they would do besides pull your ticket.
The other question I have to some of the CFI's and
DE's out there is I can't remember what it said on
my form (forgot the number) prior to taking my flight
exam but isn't there something on the bottom that states
you are in good medical condition and are not on any
medications??????
Brian
7MB

Here's the thing.
And this is from first hand experience of Bipolar disorder.
Can you afford NOT to fly with a bipolar disorder?? Flying offers relief
that you will not EVER receive from chemicals. The sense of satisfaction and
acheivement, the indescribable joy it will bring you will be so healing that
you will not to be able to do without.
It will bring you focus in a way that cannot be acheived in any other way
that I'm aware of. It puts the world into perspective and teaches to manage
potential risks and dangerous situations that make managing mood swings etc
seem a simple task.
The only times I have to resort to chemical symptomatic relief now is when I
don't fly. Like two years ago when I broke my leg on a bloody motorcycle.
The added bonus is that at the end of the day, you'll be hanging out with
some of the craziest nuts you'll EVER meet. ;-)
Like me. Keep taking you current medication. But I promise that if you work
hard enough one day on top of the stack at cloud base you'll get one of
those moments of clarity that will furnish you with the beginnings of
strength that will change that bipolar monkey forever.
See you in the big blue one day.
Shannon

No amount of money will bring you the happiness and joy that flying does.
Get it into perspective. Don't waste time.

Brian Iten wrote:

The other question I have to some of the CFI's and
DE's out there is I can't remember what it said on
my form (forgot the number) prior to taking my flight
exam but isn't there something on the bottom that states
you are in good medical condition
and are not on any medications??????
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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

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