Cat1 medical Inguinal Hernia Question

[orange4]

Is an inguinal hernia an automatic fail on the cat1 medical?

The reg states:

1.15 The applicant shall be free from any hernia that might give rise to incapacitating symptoms in flight.

If the hernia is manageable and it can be "proven" that it would not become incapacitating I suppose that this reg might allow it. For instance working problem free at a job that requires much more strain than sitting in the left seat.

Thoughts?

[Schooner69A]

Years ago, I was diagnosed with the makings of a right inguinal hernia; the medical side of the house in Ottawa sent me a message that said "You're grounded until you get it fixed".

I messaged back "How about 'With or as a co-pilot'"?

They said "OK".

So, depending on your job, if they do deny you a class 1 medical, ask for that...

[BTD]

I had one a few years ago. I have had a Cat 1 for a number of years so it wasn't an initial. The aviation doctor found it on a recurrent medical, but said it was small so left it at that. The next year they were okay with it again, however, I wanted to get it fixed. Had the surgery was off for just under 4 weeks, went back for a follow up with the aviation doctor and was back at work.

Obviously each situation is different, but it wasn't a big deal for me.

[orange4]

Sounds like it depends on the doc and the hernia. Not a blanket ban. Thanks.

[Jet Jockey]

I have an umbilical hernia and scheduled for an operation in July.

My aviation doctor says to tell my doctor that I'm a commercial pilot and it will be up to her to give me the appropriate "time off" work (like she would for others) and that I'm not subject to losing my medical with my type of hernia.

[confusedalot]

I had an inguinal hernia. TC Doc only indicated that i had one and never pulled my medical, he said to go check it out.

Got it checked out, had the (minor) operation, off work for maybe 2 weeks and that's about it.

Not really a big issue. Minor inconvenience in the big picture.

[Cobra64]

I have an umbilical hernia and scheduled for an operation in July.

My aviation doctor says to tell my doctor that I'm a commercial pilot and it will be up to her to give me the appropriate "time off" work (like she would for others) and that I'm not subject to losing my medical with my type of hernia.

I had the same. The only concern I had was twisting bending while loading baggage, so I worked with the chief pilot to be able to avoid that within reason. Nothing worse than ripping open an almost healed wound.