Is it okay to fly a small airplane, just about 4000-5000 feat?
I have tried to contact my very busy doctor but he hasn't reply yet.
Anyone who knows?
My AVM is located by the motorical and sensory area and is quite big (3-5 cm)
Is it okay to fly a small airplane, just about 4000-5000 feat?
I have tried to contact my very busy doctor but he hasn't reply yet.
Anyone who knows?
My AVM is located by the motorical and sensory area and is quite big (3-5 cm)
Hi there, Im not sure about actually "flying" the plane but I had stereotactic radiosurgery on my avm and flew in a plane the following day. My avm is around the 3-4cm, I think if the cabin is pressurized its probably ok but definitely get a docs opinion :)
Hi Mia
I have an un-ruptured AVM and have just been to see my Neurosurgeon who has advised me that I can fly with, no problem. My AVM is in the frontal left lobe so it may not be as serious as yours. My AVM is around 4cm x 5cm and apparently is considered "average" I would hate to think what size it would need to be to be above average!!!!
Is it that at this altitude your plane is not going to be pressurised which is your concern???
If so, I would really pester your Dr until you get an answer.
Hi there!
I actually own a small airplane and before my diagnosis I flew all the time in my small unpressurized airplane with no issues and we have flown to some crazy places! The highest I have flown on my unpressurized aircraft is sapprox. 13,000ft but more often than not you would not be flying higher than 10,000ft (and at 10,000ft i jumped out of the airplane twice with no issues!). Only reason why I haven't been up in my plance since my diagnosis is because we have had it in the shop for maintenece and right now it doesn't have an engine because the engine is being overhauled :p
When I asked my doctor about flying in my small airplane he was a little hesitant at first but when i explained to him that most pressurized aircraft are pressurized to emulate 7,000ft to 8,000ft I should be fine flying in a smaller non-pressurized aircraft at a 7,000 to 8,000ft altitude. After we explained the whole altitude thing to him he was okay with it and my other neurosurgeon said he didn't see a problem with it. In all honesty at 4,000 - 5,000ft you should be fine however like everyone else said I would check with your doc before flying in one.
One of the main reasons why altitude can be an issue for AVMs and other vascular abnormalities is because the effect that a higher altitude has on your blood vessels. In particular at higher altitude the blood vessels in your body start to dilate. This can cause things like headaches for people even at 5,000ft. I personally have never been affected like that at a higher altitude however I know people who have had those sorts of effects when they travel to Denver :p
As for getting your pilot's certificate, you probably would not be able to get a medical in order to obtain your private pilot's license with an AVM however you could get your light sport aircraft license as this does not require a medical certificate, just a driver's license!
Do you have plans to fly in a small aircraft soon and that is why you are waiting for a quick response?
Mia, first of all, I would ask her doctor. But I flew with my brother on his small plane. I even scuba dived went I had my AVM. My AVM bleed while I was used a rug clearner. So I think if it's going to bleed, it can happen whatever you are doing. But my advise is to always ask your Doctor first.
Thanks for your reply!
It's my boyfriend who's the pilot so certificate isn't a problem :)
I flew on saturday, just one hour to another city and I didn't feel anything like headache or something like that. My doctor called after I wrote this (typicall!) and said that it was okay for me to fly small and big airplanes! :)
Yeah, I think so too.
My doctor called right after I wrote this and he said it was fine! :)
Hi!
Yes, my doctor called after I wrote this and it was okay for me to fly!
Hm. I don't remember exactly how big mine was, 3x4 or something and my doctor said that it's concidered big.. weird!
Yeah, the plane wasn't pressurized but at that height it's not a problem, according to my doctor! He called after I wrote this :)