Continental Airline Tickets

Is it possible for an epileptic to be a pilot (airline) outside of the US?

Hi I am an epileptic however my condition is different than others. I can go seizure free as long as I am on my meds, I have what is called an aura (i can detect seeizures before they come) AND I can stop seizures within 10 seconds from when they start -I know the US has strict regulations for epileptic airline pilots but do u know any countries that will allow me to be an airline pilot OR if the US will let me be a pilot tht would be great any advice in general is apreciated i always wanted a job in travel, preferably airlines so any career sugestions are welcome too!

Public Comments

1. You are required to have a physical to pass any pilot training, and when you are hired on by whatever airline you are flying with. I can't say for sure outside of the US, but I doubt it. Let me ask you this, do you really want to put the lives of your passengers at risk because of your disability?
2. im sorry for your disability but in all honesty I would not step on a plane if I knew that the pilot is epileptic. No country in the world will hire you because of this.
3. a family member of mine had epilepsy and i am empathetic to your desire and frustration. I have interviewed at several airlines overseas... a believe it or not, many other countries have more thorough and strict physical exams than we have in the US. It is possible that you may earn a pilot's license here with a Statement Of Demonstrated Ability, however you will not be able to fly as an airline pilot here or abroad.
4. The U.S. is actually lenient with respect to epilepsy when compared to many other developed nations. The U.S. will allow you to become a pilot under certain very limited circumstances with a distant history of epilepsy (but never with active epilepsy, which includes epilepsy being treated with meds). The main concern of aviation authorities is the possibility of pilot incapacitation. Since future seizures cannot be predicted with epilepsy and it is not possible to absolutely guarantee that no future seizures will occur, aviation authorities tend to refuse to license epileptics. Given your description of your case, you would be disqualified, because you are still subject to seizures. Being free of seizures on meds isn't good enough, and the meds themselves may disqualify you. Being able to stop a seizure isn't good enough, either. You won't be able to work as an airline pilot with this condition. If you could remain seizure-free with a normal EEG for years without meds, you might be able to get a normal private pilot's license with special evaluation by the FAA, but that's about it.