Abstract
The premature termination of a career on medical grounds is almost unknown in any other profession and pilots should be able to appeal against decisions to deny licensing on these grounds.
In countries where it is not feasible to develop a satisfactory medical appeals procedure within the national boundary and, therefore, where an appeals procedure and consultative service are absent or are inadequate, Member Associations should seek an undertaking from their licensing authority that, before making a decision to deny the renewal of a licence, the State will consider other medical evaluations obtained by other medical authorities in another State mutually agreed to by the Association and the Licensing Authority.
The premature termination of the careers of experienced airline pilots by erroneous diagnoses results in the loss of invaluable experience to the industry. At the same time, it denies the basic right of qualified pilots to continue their profession. The early termination of a career is almost unknown in any other profession and therefore, pilots should be able to appeal against arbitrary decisions to deny licensing on medical grounds.