For those who read my blogs every time that I upload them, you may’ve found it a little bit odd how I went for such long periods without flying. I would’ve liked to have said that it was due to weather, but unfortunately it was for something more serious and I’m going to address everything that has gone on over the last few months, what happened and all of the steps that I have had to go through.
On Monday 20th December 2021 we left the house in Waterford and drove 3 hours back to Cork and re-moved back into our apartment in Eden Hall. The next morning on Tuesday 21st December 2021, I went back to the U.K. for Christmas, I touched down back at Gatwick at approximately 11:00 and was with my family again which was amazing to see them again after not seeing some of them since I left for Ireland back in May. There was an opportunity to have my third Covid-19 booster jab at a local walk in centre, and I wanted to have it done so booked to have my jab at 14:30, I had it done and I was all fine, a little bit of an aching arm, but nothing no different to the normal symptoms after having it.
I then decided to help my mum raking some leaves in the garden so it looked nice for Christmas. Me being the good son I am, I just went and helped her – my mum would probably disagree with the first part of that sentence from time to time! Working hard to get it done as quickly as possible I started to come across feeling hot and a bit clammy. I took a seat to have a little rest and started feeling a little light headed. I then got up to go inside and while walking back indoors I passed out for no more than 10 seconds. Part of the reason I was coming home over Christmas was to have my medical renewed and one of the things on the medical declaration we complete before asks if we have fainted. I wasn’t going to be flying before my medical so waited for my revalidation before declaring this incident. Had it have happened at any other time, then I would’ve declared it as soon as it happened.
I mention all the build up, as I believe that it probably had some effect. I’m not superman, but I felt fine after my first two jabs in August and September 2021, and think that having the third after doing so much in such a short space of time, the booster was just one step too far for me to cope with. There’s a reason we couldn’t fly after having our jabs and I missed out on solo weather in the summer, and again, I’m adamant to this day that I did too much in such a short space of time and the booster was the straw that broke the camels back.
Monday 3rd January 2022 I went for my medical revalidation and heard the worst news I’ve heard in a long time, by far the worst in my journey to becoming an airline pilot so far. “I’m sorry Harry, but at this present time, I’m going to have to temporarily suspend your medical.” To say these words broke me is an understatement, I sobbed all the way home.
My AME said at the time that she thought it was a vasovagal event, which for those without a medical background like myself is the type of fainting caused by a trigger, like for some people this could be the sight of blood, in my case this was the Covid-19 booster jab. However, because it wasn’t while I was having the jab or in the 15 minute waiting period afterwards, then it wasn’t 100% clear that it was caused by the booster. This now started a really long process in getting my medical back.
My case was referred to the U.K. CAA where a medical assessor looks at my case and makes a decision whether they can reissue my medical or ask for me to have more tests. After being referred on the 3rd January, the U.K. CAA got back to me on the 26th January 2022 asking me to have some more tests. I booked in with a cardiologist to have these tests done as soon as they could see me, on the 14th February 2022.
I had these tests on the 14th February 2022 and went through the incident with the cardiologist and from his initial report stated, “My clinical opinion is that this was a one off episode of vasovagal syncope with a clear trigger, namely the Covid vaccine booster.” I then had to have a 24-hour ECG which was fitted on the 25th February and taken off on the 26th February. We then had a delay in getting the results from this, but I finally got these back 9th March 2022. A report was written and sent to the U.K. CAA on the 10th March 2022.
Again, more waiting followed, until the 25th March 2022 where the U.K. CAA reviewed my case again and after having all of the cardiologist tests, my medical was reissued without any restrictions as the U.K. CAA also viewed my case to be a one of vasovagal incident. I flew back to Ireland on the 26th March 2022 and haven’t stopped flying since! I am completely fine by the way, and all of the notes in my cardiologist reports prove this!
I have to thank both L3Harris and AFTA, as well as a few individuals for all of their help and support they gave me throughout this time. While I was off, I spent a lot of time revising what would be coming up for both the DA-42 test and MEP test as well as looking over the lessons I have already done and will be doing soon.
As frustrating as the whole process has been, I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Many people have said that I was wrong to declare the incident and that I shouldn’t have, or I should’ve downplayed the incident rather than say exactly how it was, however I think this is wrong. Let’s say that something happened when I was solo, or worse I had someone or many passengers flying with me, and because of my lack of actions I hurt or worse killed someone, I couldn’t live with the consequences and would never forgive myself for not declaring the incident.
Yes it did take a long time, 81 days to be precise, but I’m also glad as to how serious the U.K. CAA took the incident. Although at times it was really frustrating having to have these extra tests and how long it took them to respond for what my view was a simple case, given they took it so seriously and explored every possibility to ensure I was safe to fly, it is reassuring that commercial pilots are safe to fly and all the passengers in the back are in safe hands.
Although this isn’t the cheeriest blog in the world, it’s nothing to be ashamed of from my point of view. I haven’t done anything wrong, and it was determined to be a one off non-aviation related vasovagal incident, and thus I have my class 1 medical back without any restrictions and can continue flying again.
It meant so much while I was still getting messages of support and people asking me when the next blog was going to be uploaded while I wasn’t flying and they really helped to keep me going and keep my eyes on the prize which was getting back flying and hopefully doing my CPL exam soon!
