Expert: Colin Woehrle - 11/15/2009

Question
My son is wanting to be a commercial pilot and needs to know if he has asthma will he be able to fly an airplane for commercial airlines or at all.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Julie,

I believe it will depend on the severity of your son's asthma and what medications he's taking. He should obtain a medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner before he starts training (nearest examiner can be found at http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov/search.asp?search=zip). There are three grades of medical certificates: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class. Since he ultimately desires to be a commercial airline pilot, he should apply for the 1st class medical, as it's the most stringent and also the one he'll be required to hold if and when he works for an airline. Your local examiner should be very helpful in the process. Hope this helps,

Colin