Asthma and Sleep Apnea for USAF Pilot

A

arp166

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Hello all,

I have been doing a lot of research on the forum and learned a lot of things as my journey is just beginning. I am currently an AD USAF pilot that was recently diagnosed with asthma and OSA after nearly three years of problems and treatments. My MEB is just beginning. I received the code 37 on 13 April 2016 but have heard nothing from the PEBLO yet.

I am currently on singulair, symbacort, albuterol and spiriva for the asthma. I also am using a CPAP machine for the OSA. My PFTs have not been below 81% but I still received the diagnosis. From what I can tell, if I am determined “unift” I am looking at 30% for the asthma (daily use of bronchodilators) and 50% for CPAP.

I was wondering if any aviators have gone through the MEB process for asthma and received a “fit” determination and allowed to continue to fly? If not has anyone received a “fit” determination and remained on AD but not allowed to fly anymore? This seems unlikely because I would not be able to perform my primary duty as I believe I am disqualified from flying. And last question, anyone receive an “unfit” determination in a case similar to mine?


Thank you in advance!
 
arp166 said:
Hello all,

I have been doing a lot of research on the forum and learned a lot of things as my journey is just beginning. I am currently an AD USAF pilot that was recently diagnosed with asthma and OSA after nearly three years of problems and treatments. My MEB is just beginning. I received the code 37 on 13 April 2016 but have heard nothing from the PEBLO yet.

I am currently on singulair, symbacort, albuterol and spiriva for the asthma. I also am using a CPAP machine for the OSA. My PFTs have not been below 81% but I still received the diagnosis. From what I can tell, if I am determined “unift” I am looking at 30% for the asthma (daily use of bronchodilators) and 50% for CPAP.

I was wondering if any aviators have gone through the MEB process for asthma and received a “fit” determination and allowed to continue to fly? If not has anyone received a “fit” determination and remained on AD but not allowed to fly anymore? This seems unlikely because I would not be able to perform my primary duty as I believe I am disqualified from flying. And last question, anyone receive an “unfit” determination in a case similar to mine?


Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...

I'm going through the end of the process now (see my timeline). One of my unfit conditions is asthma. I take daily Advair, Singular, and have albuterol as needed. They rated me 30% for that. I may have been found fit for that if it was the only potentially unfitting condition I have...but no. I work with a viper/RPA pilot who has asthma...that person is still CMR. Just has to do yearly RILO to check status. Big things are how many asthma attacks have you had, is it controlled, can you perform a full PT test, are you deployable--that's what AF is looking at.
 
Wally3430 said:
I'm going through the end of the process now (see my timeline). One of my unfit conditions is asthma. I take daily Advair, Singular, and have albuterol as needed. They rated me 30% for that. I may have been found fit for that if it was the only potentially unfitting condition I have...but no. I work with a viper/RPA pilot who has asthma...that person is still CMR. Just has to do yearly RILO to check status. Big things are how many asthma attacks have you had, is it controlled, can you perform a full PT test, are you deployable--that's what AF is looking at.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Currently it is not controlled on my medication for exertion. On a day-to-day basis, everything is controlled, but as soon as I exert, no such luck(onset of asthma attack. I can not do the run/walk for the PT Test and am not deployable.

That being said, my PCM wants a third opinion now, so I am starting over with that. More to follow
 
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