| GENERAL INFORMATION
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| KEYWORDS
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Category 1 aviation medical certificate, mental health, bipolar disorder
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| FILE NO.
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P-3863-01
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| SECTOR (Marine or Aviation)
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Aviation
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| SPECIFIC JOB
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Commercial pilot
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| DIAGNOSIS (Primary, Secondary, etc.)
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Bipolar I disorder with psychosis
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| REVIEW
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| DATE OF DETERMINATION
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April 8, 2013
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| MEMBER
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Dr. George Pugh
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| DETERMINATION
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The decision of the Minister of Transport regarding the suspension of the medical certificate of the applicant is referred back to the Minister for reconsideration.
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| REASONS FOR THE DETERMINATION
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Suspension of a category 1 aviation medical certificate — The applicant was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder back in 1986 following his first hospitalization. He has not been in any regular treatment for his bipolar but started psychiatric care in 2004 and the applicant was cleared to fly. He was admitted to the hospital in 2011 for a week following an episode mania with psychosis. At the review hearing, the applicant submitted a letter from his treating psychiatrist stating that the applicant “has now remained well for at least three months since discontinuation of lithium. I see him as psychiatrically stable and psychologically motivated to be healthy and well”. The applicant is presently not taking any prescription drugs or other over-the-counter medications. The applicant is requesting that he be considered for a category 4 (recreational) medical certificate.
The applicant has now remained well for at least three months since discontinuation of lithium. His doctor sees him as psychiatrically stable and psychologically motivated to be healthy and well. The 1986 episode “constituted a reaction to a single set of circumstances and is not evidence of a Bipolar Affective Disorder.” No evidence of mental disorder was found, and the doctor felt the applicant had no psychiatric contraindication to pursuing any aviation licence. The decision of the Minister of Transport regarding the suspension of the medical certificate of the applicant is referred back to the Minister for reconsideration.
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| APPEAL
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| DATE OF DECISION
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| MEMBERS
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| DECISION
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| REASONS FOR THE DECISION
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| OTHER/COMMENTS
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| TC reconsideration: The Minister’s decision is confirmed for any type of licensing being issued to the applicant.
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