Can you keep a medical with a pacemaker?

[. ._]

Hi folks!

I was wondering. If you have a pacemaker, can you still have a pilot licence medical?

Anyone know of anyone flying that has one? PPL? CPL? ATPL?

I did a quick search on here and didn't find anything.

And if you're wondering, as far as I know, I'm in tip top shape with no heart condition. I was just wondering.

-istp

[Rubberbiscuit]

I know for a fact you cannot drive a transport truck, or maintain an AZ license, so I would be very surprised if you could maintain an aviation medical. Two crew maybe?

[Epsilon]

According to this http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regse ... t42402.htm

The applicant shall not possess any abnormality of the heart, congenital or acquired, which is likely to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft.

I think having a piece of electronics lodged inside your chest in order to keep you alive qualifies as an ''abnormality of the heart''. I could be wrong though.

[Hedley]

I know of Transport Inspectors that have pacemakers
and fly, so it must be possible. Not sure if there are
different rules for the rest of us, though.

Hold on a sec ... from TP13312:

Cardiac Pacemakers
The reliability and safety of implantable cardiac pacemakers is well established and continues to improve. Conditions in which there is little or no structural heart disease and for which the requirements for a pacemaker are intermittent need
not disqualify a licence holder from flying. Each case will need to be considered individually and not before 3 months after successful implantation.

Follow up requires a pacemaker clinic report including an indication of the underlying rhythm and escape rate.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/cam/T ... Pacemakers

[Inverted2]

Ive heard of a guy having a PPL and a pacemaker.

[fleet16b]

I have a buddy that is the first in Canada to have his PPL fully re-instated with no restrictions following a heart transplant.
If he can do that then you would think someone with a pacemaker could do the same.

[Hedley]

PPL fully re-instated with no restrictions following a heart transplant

That's incredible. I had heard the FAA approved a heart
transplant with a class 3, but things are a LOT different
down south.

At the Tribunal recently, I mentioned the FAA doing this,
and none of the doctors at Transport or the Tribunal were
even aware of the FAA's recent action on this. Or, they
were pretending not to. They certainly weren't aware
of any Canadian heart transplant getting a medical - it
is specifically prohibited by TP13312.

In fact, Transport's doctors at the Tribunal claimed that
the FAA is tightening up their rules on medical certification,
which was a surprising fib, given that they were testifying
under oath.

[. ._]

Great info. Thanks guys!

[fleet16b]

PPL fully re-instated with no restrictions following a heart transplant

That's incredible. I had heard the FAA approved a heart
transplant with a class 3, but things are a LOT different
down south.

At the Tribunal recently, I mentioned the FAA doing this,
and none of the doctors at Transport or the Tribunal were
even aware of the FAA's recent action on this. Or, they
were pretending not to. They certainly weren't aware
of any Canadian heart transplant getting a medical - it
is specifically prohibited by TP13312.

In fact, Transport's doctors at the Tribunal claimed that
the FAA is tightening up their rules on medical certification,
which was a surprising fib, given that they were testifying
under oath.

Hmmmm......thats very strange that they are aware of my buddy.
He has flown for years ...lost his medical when the transplant took place.
In order to be re-instated, he had to do to really fight but once he had proven all to TC, they backed off and re-instated him.
He is still flying his C-140 currently all over N. America.

[KnownIce]

Pacemakers and other implantable devices people sometimes refer to as pacemakers are very reliable and in many cases are indicated for use in many patients beyond those who's hearts simply don't create their own electrical signal to beat. So what is just as important to this scenario is what is the underlying reason for the pacemaker in this pilot and an overall assessment of risk for incapacitation / compromise of flight duties, something that can't be answered on a messageboard.

Interesting to hear that transplant recipients are flying.

[fleet16b]

Interesting to hear that transplant recipients are flying.

I don't know if there are many.
He was at the time the only one in Canada.
However, he was re-instated about 3-4 yrs ago now, so there could be others.
From what I remember him telling me there was quite a bit of paperwork etc to aquire in order to satisfy TC but for the most part TC was fairly cooperative and worked with him.

[Friguy]

Hello, I am an F/o with a medevac operation and I have a Captain that has a pacemaker. So I guess you can still fly, not sure if it has to be two crew or not

[floydb]

does he have to carry one of those portable defibs like you see in the airports?? That would really suck

[shitdisturber]

does he have to carry one of those portable defibs like you see in the airports?? That would really suck

Nah, you just stand around the airport holding a stapler and wait for the Mounties to arrive.

[Friguy]

I double checked with my captain today, he does have a pacemaker installed, and he has absolutely no limitations on his Class 1 medical

[canwhitewolf]

I think all pilots should get pacemakers, it would be good for those times when the chips are down and the adrenalin is up

load of ice with no place to go but down and your destination and alternate are socked in

i want one

[nimbostratus]

I know a Captain at a major airline that has a pacemaker. Had it when he got hired as an FO as well....

Nimbo

[Yrkesflygare]

Yeah. There are conditions. You have to submit a cardiologist report yearly with underlying escape rhythm etc .
Much like if you are type two diabetic on hypoglycemics you send in glucometer readouts monthly.
I got mine in 1994 as a requirement to maintain medical . They told me to get one after a systolic episode involving arrhythmia . On my second unit now. Just did checkup this afternoon.

[pirocco]

To my knowledge and previous research, as long as the pacemaker is not the only way to keep you alive you can hold a class 1 medical with no restriction. So irregular heart beats without a pacemaker would qualify

[tigerwoods]

in canada heart problems rarely stop a pilot from flying.........4 years ago i suffered a heart attack and subsiquently quintuple bypass.........had my Cat 1 medical back 5 months later........the wonders of modern medicine......docs do a really fine job these days......and a friend had a transplant same time and got his medical back 2 years ago

[Colonel Sanders]

in canada heart problems rarely stop a pilot from flying

Really? How things have changed. That's exactly
opposite from the FUD that Jim Pfaff tried to sell
at the Tribunal, under oath.

You aren't saying that Jim Pfaff committed perjury,
are you?

[azimuthaviation]

Doesnt the tribunal appoint a doctor to make the final decision based on everything he's heard?