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Can pilots fly with high cholesterol?

For pilots with elevated cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (bad) cholesterol, the FAA cardiac panel carefully considers the degree of control in the certification decision. Ideally the LDL cholesterol should be under 70 mg/dl for those with known heart disease and at least under 100 mg/dl.



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Medical Problems
Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.

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Some cardiovascular conditions may disqualify a person from becoming a pilot. Coronary Heart Disease: Pilots with a history of myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or angioplasty may be disqualified. Cardiac Arrhythmias: Irregular heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, may disqualify a pilot.

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A criminal record check is a crucial component of the pre-employment background check. Airlines need to ensure that their pilots have a clean criminal record and do not pose a threat to passengers. Pilots with past criminal convictions, especially for violent crimes or drug offenses, may not be eligible for employment.

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In the U.S., there are no FAA age limits for pilots except for commercial airline pilots employed by airlines certificated under 14 CFR Part 121. These airlines cannot employ pilots after they reach the age of 65. However, these pilots may stay on with a Part 121 carrier in some other role, such as flight engineer.

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Maintaining good physical and mental health is key. Pilots have demanding jobs that require good physical and mental health to perform. Tens of thousands of people rely on pilots each day for safe transportation.

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The answer is YES – you can wear glasses and be an airline pilot! Perfect uncorrected vision is not a requirement to be a pilot or an air traffic controller. Glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all (with certain limitations) acceptable ways to correct visual acuity problems.

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One of the most common risks associated with being a pilot is the physical and mental strain. Pilots must remain alert and focused for long periods of time, often in difficult circumstances. This can lead to fatigue and stress, both of which can have a negative impact on their performance and safety.

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Diabetes sufferers can receive a license to pilot a plane if they show that they have controlled their blood glucose levels for at least six months. However, they must also qualify for some pre-flight and in-flight procedures. Individuals with insulin pumps can also get this license.

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