AOPA Australia Pilot Medical Review Panel Achieving its Goals

AOPA Australia Pilot Medical Review Panel Achieving its Goals

AOPA Australia Pilot Medical Review Panel Achieving its Goals

September 6, 2019 By Kreisha Ballantyne
The AOPA medical review panel -  headed up Dr David Hooke and five other doctors/specialists - is achieving its goals in record time. KREISHA BALLANTYNE reports.
Since the launch of the AOPA Australia Pilot Medical Review Panel this year, the medical team has assisted members directly, either by immediate assistance with interacting with CASA AvMed or...

Since the launch of the AOPA Australia Pilot Medical Review Panel this year, the medical team has assisted members directly, either by immediate assistance with interacting with CASA AvMed or by providing general advice on how to conduct their initial/review of their medical.

The medical panel has serviced AOPA Australia members with various conditions such as optical, cardio, glucose issues, cancer, mental health concerns and neurological issues; the most common issues being related to cancer and cardiology.

“AOPA Australia is heartened by the response the panel has received from members,” commented Membership Support Manager George Higgins. “There have been some incredibly emotional phone calls from members receiving their medicals after several years of attempting to navigate the system alone.  In one case, we successfully aided a member who had spent five years struggling with the system.

“Quite often, all that is required is a calm guiding voice to step our members through the process,” George continues. “After all, the process is so often an emotional one. Sometimes just helping the member take a step back from the intensity of their frustrations is enough.”

The AOPA medical review panel is open and honest with members, and where necessary will advise the member as to the likelihood of a successful outcome. It the member is not able to regain their medical, and in some cases they simply will not, we will work with the member to find alternatives, which include flying with friends, connecting the member to other AOPA members whom we know like company on their flights, and involving the member in our flyaway and safari events.

“I would like to congratulate AOPA Australia Director, Dr David Hooke, and Membership Support Manager, George Higgins, for their work across the past three months”, said Executive Director Benjamin Morgan.  “The panel is having a direct and meaningful impact for a great number of members, enabling those experiencing difficulty to get back into the air.”

Any AOPA Australia member experiencing difficulty with CASA AvMed is invited to contact our Membership Support team to request the assistance of the Pilot Medical Review Panel, call (02) 9791 9099 or email:  george.higgins@aopa.com.au


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Kreisha Ballantyne

Kreisha’s experience across various sectors of the aviation industry reflect her passion for general aviation. In previous editorial roles at AOPA Australian Pilot, Sport Pilot and AirSport, Kreisha has had the privilege of flying in – and writing about -a multitude of aircraft types, from a powered parachute to a PC12. Kreisha is currently a feature writer for Australian Flying magazine, as well as CASA’s Flight Safety Australia. As a private pilot, Kreisha has experienced an incredible array of aviation adventures, including flying solo across Australia in heels and lipstick to influence young female pilots; wing-walking on a vintage Stearman; flying in New Zealand, the UK, the USA and Austria; and interviewing a diverse and incredible cross-section of aviators. Now in her tenth year in the industry, she is delighted to continue her passion for writing about aviation as one of AOPA’s new digital editors.

Topic: Community

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