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HIV positive man unable to become a commercial pilot | HIV positive man unable to become a commercial pilot |
(2 days later) | |
Campaigners are calling for a change in regulations after a Glasgow man was unable to become a commercial airline pilot because he is HIV positive. | Campaigners are calling for a change in regulations after a Glasgow man was unable to become a commercial airline pilot because he is HIV positive. |
The man, who wants to remain anonymous, had been offered a place on an airline's training programme. | The man, who wants to remain anonymous, had been offered a place on an airline's training programme. |
But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) refused him the medical certificate needed to gain a commercial licence. | But the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) refused him the medical certificate needed to gain a commercial licence. |
The CAA said European regulations prevented it granting the certificate to someone who was HIV positive. | The CAA said European regulations prevented it granting the certificate to someone who was HIV positive. |
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it was considering a rule change. | The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it was considering a rule change. |
Anthony (not his real name) said it was "utterly devastating" to discover that he could not take up the position on the EasyJet pilot training scheme. | Anthony (not his real name) said it was "utterly devastating" to discover that he could not take up the position on the EasyJet pilot training scheme. |
He described the policy as "outdated" and "inherently discriminatory". | He described the policy as "outdated" and "inherently discriminatory". |
HIV Scotland has called for a change in the rules. | HIV Scotland has called for a change in the rules. |
Why are HIV positive people unable to become pilots? | Why are HIV positive people unable to become pilots? |
According to the CAA, which is responsible for aviation safety regulations in the UK, certain medical conditions prevent would-be pilots obtaining the necessary certificate. These include being HIV positive, organ transplantation or having type 1 diabetes. | According to the CAA, which is responsible for aviation safety regulations in the UK, certain medical conditions prevent would-be pilots obtaining the necessary certificate. These include being HIV positive, organ transplantation or having type 1 diabetes. |
Pilots who already hold a commercial licence but later develop one of the conditions would still be able to operate. | Pilots who already hold a commercial licence but later develop one of the conditions would still be able to operate. |
However, their licence would change and only allow them to fly with a co-pilot. This is known as an operational multi-crew limitation (OML) licence. | |
Some flights are only possible with a pilot and a co-pilot, especially long haul and commercial flights. | Some flights are only possible with a pilot and a co-pilot, especially long haul and commercial flights. |
Under the current rules, student pilots have to perform solo flights during their training and are therefore not allowed to have a condition that qualifies them to only fly with a co-pilot. | Under the current rules, student pilots have to perform solo flights during their training and are therefore not allowed to have a condition that qualifies them to only fly with a co-pilot. |
These rules are regulated by EASA and apply to Europe. The same restrictions do not apply in some countries, such as Canada. | These rules are regulated by EASA and apply to Europe. The same restrictions do not apply in some countries, such as Canada. |
The CAA said the EASA had confirmed that people making an initial application for a commercial pilot licence must have an unrestricted medical certificate. | The CAA said the EASA had confirmed that people making an initial application for a commercial pilot licence must have an unrestricted medical certificate. |
A CAA spokesperson added: "We support a rule change in this area, where it is safe to do so, and will continue to work with EASA and HIV experts to reassess this regulation, with a view to enabling applicants to obtain an initial Class 1 medical certificate." | A CAA spokesperson added: "We support a rule change in this area, where it is safe to do so, and will continue to work with EASA and HIV experts to reassess this regulation, with a view to enabling applicants to obtain an initial Class 1 medical certificate." |
The EASA said it was considering a change to the rules. | The EASA said it was considering a change to the rules. |
In a statement, it said: "A rule change takes time, it needs to be considered by experts, and we need to plan it and prioritized by performing impact assessment. | In a statement, it said: "A rule change takes time, it needs to be considered by experts, and we need to plan it and prioritized by performing impact assessment. |
"However, EASA and the NAA (National Aviation Authority) medical experts agreed that a rule change should be considered due to the availability of new HIV medications. | "However, EASA and the NAA (National Aviation Authority) medical experts agreed that a rule change should be considered due to the availability of new HIV medications. |
"These medications could provide for a more flexible regulatory approach and allow the need for an OML restriction to be determined on a case-by-case basis, largely dependent on the stage of the HIV. | "These medications could provide for a more flexible regulatory approach and allow the need for an OML restriction to be determined on a case-by-case basis, largely dependent on the stage of the HIV. |
"In future, this would allow some prospective pilots having HIV to obtain a license without an OML restriction." | "In future, this would allow some prospective pilots having HIV to obtain a license without an OML restriction." |
EasyJet said it was a matter for EASA and the CAA, but added: "We welcome the CAA's support for a rule change where it is safe to do so." | EasyJet said it was a matter for EASA and the CAA, but added: "We welcome the CAA's support for a rule change where it is safe to do so." |
Anthony's case was first brought to light by Buzzfeed News. | |
Anthony's story | Anthony's story |
Anthony gained his private pilots licence aged 17, before he was able to drive. He has wanted to be a pilot since he was a child, and began flying when he was 15. | Anthony gained his private pilots licence aged 17, before he was able to drive. He has wanted to be a pilot since he was a child, and began flying when he was 15. |
He was diagnosed with HIV three years ago, and wrote to the CAA under a pseudonym to ask about the effect his diagnosis would have on his dream. | He was diagnosed with HIV three years ago, and wrote to the CAA under a pseudonym to ask about the effect his diagnosis would have on his dream. |
Anthony said the CAA told him that he would be granted the medical certificate and could train, but that he would have to fly alongside a co-pilot. | Anthony said the CAA told him that he would be granted the medical certificate and could train, but that he would have to fly alongside a co-pilot. |
Earlier this year he passed all the assessments at EasyJet, and gained a place on their training programme. | Earlier this year he passed all the assessments at EasyJet, and gained a place on their training programme. |
When Anthony was told his HIV would stop him becoming a pilot he was "very confused". | When Anthony was told his HIV would stop him becoming a pilot he was "very confused". |
He said the disappointment was worse because he believed there was "no barrier if you're HIV positive to doing anything now that you wanted to do before". | He said the disappointment was worse because he believed there was "no barrier if you're HIV positive to doing anything now that you wanted to do before". |
"I had started to accept the diagnosis because of that." | "I had started to accept the diagnosis because of that." |
He said: "In 2017, someone who is HIV positive and on successful treatment is medically no different to someone who isn't HIV positive." | He said: "In 2017, someone who is HIV positive and on successful treatment is medically no different to someone who isn't HIV positive." |
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