1
$\begingroup$

I am 33, from Canada, and am trying to become a commercial pilot. I secured some funding and signed up for a college program...Then I came across a few articles detailing how past mental health issues can bar you from being applicable to fly commercially. My question is; If I have had a period of depression in my past, is it an absolute, that I will not be able to pass my medical evaluation test? Is there a time component element to it?...ie..If a person has not shown signs of mental illness for a certain duration of time, can they pass the aviation medical? Also, I have not been prescribed or taken any mood altering medication in over 3 years.

Cheers

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
3
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ This question isn't an exact duplicate, even if the answer is likely to be similar: this one is about Canada, whereas the other one is about the US. Medical regulations are different in each country. $\endgroup$
    – Pondlife
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:10
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ The answer to this question is substantially identical to the duplicate: You need to consult an aviation medical examiner in your jurisdiction (Canada) to determine if your condition is disqualifying. The relevant section of Transport Canada's regulations include "psychiatric illness", which may include depression, but is not wholly clear on the criteria for issuing/denying a medical. $\endgroup$
    – voretaq7
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:58
  • $\begingroup$ @Pondlife ah. good point, somehow overlooked that, sorry. $\endgroup$
    – falstro
    Jun 30, 2016 at 11:41

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

I really can't speak for the Canadian standards for Airmen Medical Certification, though I did find this on Transport Canada's website.

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/regserv/cars/part4-standards-t42402-1412.htm

Transport Canada also lists the following concerning anti-depressant medications (SSRIs).

https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/opssvs/cam-ssri-347.htm

This sounds very similar to the FAA's position in that people who are diagnosed with depression requiring medication are prohibited from obtaining a medical certificate.

OK, don't throw yourself off a bridge just yet; there's some good news.

The good news is that this is applicable if you are currently on mood altering medications perscribed by a physician. If you have a prior history of depression but are not currently on any medication, there is a good chance that Transport Canada could issue you a Special Issue medical certificate, if you are willing to go through all the extra paperwork and documentation with your physician. You are going to have to document, probably with the written concurrence of your physician, that you are no longer depressed, your case history was acute, not chronic with recurring episodes, and that you no longer require medication to maintain a normal mood. Transport Canada will probably issue you a Special Issuance Airman Medical Certificate, valid for about a year, which will allow you to obtain your license. As long as you are not diagnosed with further episodes of depression during this period and your doctor can confirm this, TC will probably issue you a regular airman medical certificate thereafter.

What I would suggest is that you make an appointment with a physician near where you live who is a Designated Medical Examiner for Transport Canada and talk with them about what TC's disopositon is on disqualifying conditions for medical certification. NOTE WELL: Do not - NOT - make the appointment so as to indicate that you want an official airman medical certificate examination; we do not want any kind of official diagnosis entered onto your permanent record with Transport Canada just yet; this will only complicate things and we need to know exactly what TC's position is on these issues BEFORE we proceed down that road. Select a DME who is also a pilot and will tend to be more sympathetic to your plight.

I hope that helps and good luck to you on your future aviation endeavors. There is hope for you.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .