ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the problems that may render a pilot somewhat less than fit to fly. Since flying is a specialized occupation taking place in an unusual environment, and since the pilot may be responsible for safety of many others, his own health and reliability are very important. All pilots are going to suffer some hearing deterioration as part of the process of growing old; this is called presbycusis. Dramatic sudden incapacitation of a pilot is extremely uncommon and very rarely the cause of an aircraft accident. With the advent of high quality simulators incapacitation training has become feasible and the mandatory training required has proved so effective that pilots with a known higher-than-average risk of sudden illness can be allowed to fly in a multicrew operation. Any predisposition to sudden loss of consciousness is clearly not acceptable in a pilot and a history of such an episode requires careful investigation before the granting, or restoration, of a flying licence.
