Posted on 08/21/2023 5:16:17 AM PDT by Red Badger
Great interview (Aug. 2022) with former* pilot Captain Dr. Kevin Stillwell. What happened with shots/masks and pilots, why there is a pilot shortage, why airline safety is now an issue. Wide ranging interview including great medical explanations, etc.
https://usfreedomflyers.org/aviation-safety-after-covid-shot-mandates/
*Captain Stillwell refused to comply with airline mask mandate (mask part of uniform) & took early retirement.
>The FAA has the stats, and they know the truth: there has been a significant rise in heart-related illness in airmen in the past 3 years.<
The FAA changed the EKG standards shortly after the jab was mandated. Too many pilots “suddenly” started failing the annual EKG. The solution, like standardized testing, is to change the standards.
https://www.worldtribune.com/report-faa-quietly-widened-the-ekg-parameters-for-americas-pilots/
Are we to believe this is all just a coincidence and that many pilots (100% were jabbed) just developed heart problems for no particular reason?
I retired before i got jabbed. I ended up in the hospital. I would not be able to pass my medical under the old standards. The new ones? Most likely.
EC
Also in the news: nine out of ten constipated men don’t give a shit.
“Suddenly” is becoming a very common cause of death.
The FAA standards for the physical changed in Oct. '22. That is to say, many parameters were 'relaxed'. For example, the acceptable EKG PR interval referenced in the World Tribune article, among other changes.
Which is one reason there are more pilots out there with undiagnosed or excused/ignored heart issues.
Here is the list of changes as of 10/26/22 from FAA.GOV, and the direct link to the page on the AME section of FAA.GOV
---
Normal Variants (Updated 10/26/2022) The following common ECG findings are considered normal variants and are not cause for deferment unless the airman is symptomatic or there are other concerns. Airmen who have these findings may be certified, if otherwise qualified:
• Early repolarization • Ectopic atrial rhythm • First-degree AV (atrioventricular) block with PR interval less than 300 ms (0.30 sec). • Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block (IRBBB) • Indeterminate axis • Intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD) • Left atrial abnormality • Left axis deviation, less than or equal to -30 degrees • Left ventricular hypertrophy by voltage criteria only • Low atrial rhythm • Low voltage in limb leads (May be a sign of obesity or hypothyroidism.) • Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) – multiple, asymptomatic • Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) - single only; 2 or more on ECG require evaluation • Short QT – if no history of arrhythmia • Sinus arrhythmia • Sinus bradycardia. Up to age 49 if heart rate is >44; Age 50 and older if heart rate is >48 • Sinus tachycardia – heart rate < 110 • Wandering atrial pacemaker
https://www.faa.gov/ame_guide/media/Normal_Variants.pdf
In my 40 year career, I only know of 2 pilots who died on the flight deck and 2 who collapsed in the terminal of which one survived.
It’s a small sample size of about 30,000.
EC
My career was one half yours. No statistics but I recall at least a death a year. Sometimes two. Large air carrier. Perhaps half on layover and remainder on duty.
Significant—beats me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.