The UK Civil Aviation Authority, with the support of the Terence Higgins Foundation, the National AIDS Foundation and the British HIV Association, has released a set of measures to help HIV-positive pilots fly and continue their lives. As part of the process, the controller released Guidelines How pilots living with the virus will be medically evaluated for how to obtain and maintain their licenses.
The new guidance confirms that with timely HIV diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment, the risk of the pilot experiencing conditions that could reduce the ability to fly the aircraft safely is greatly reduced. This is a significant milestone in the global aerodynamic assessment of HIV. This means that there is now a clear way for pilots living with HIV to obtain unrestricted medical certification (Class 1) in the UK.
For some pilots living with HIV, this may reduce the need for additional cognitive testing. This guideline also applies to Class 3 Medical Certificate applicants who work or wish to work as an Air Traffic Control Officer.
In another move, the regulator also announced a six-month grace period for the pilot or air traffic control officer who has not previously reported an HIV-positive status when applying for an aeromedical certificate and can report it to the Aviation Authority. Adjust your record without notifying your employee.
Anyone who does so within six months will not face any enforcement action for failing to report their HIV positive status in advance and the regulator’s medical staff will follow the new guidelines and review their health.
A statement from Richard Moriarty of the Civil Aviation Authority of England said: “The UK will continue to lead pilots living with HIV to fly safely and pursue their careers and dreams. I personally request anyone who has not previously reported HIV status to contact us within the next six months so that we can restore this with full confidence.
Ian Green, CEO of the Terence Higgins Foundation, commented on the importance of the new milestone: “These key changes reflect the tremendous progress we have made in the fight against HIV over the past 40 years, removing barriers to HIV-positive people earning a full life as a commercial pilot, and making the UK a world leader in aviation policy. Outdated regulations prevent HIV-positive pilots from pursuing their careers, but now the Civil Aviation Authority’s policies and practices reflect the reality of living with HIV today.
Confirming the importance of the measures, Deborah Gold, Managing Director of the National AIDS Foundation, said: “We are pleased that the Civil Aviation Authority has heard our concerns and the pilots have been able to report their HIV status without interruption to their work. HIV is now a manageable long-term health condition and people with HIV can live longer, healthier lives. There is no medical reason for getting HIV in any work, including flying planes, and it is gratifying that the UK aviation policy recognizes this. Today’s announcement brings us closer to a world where the stigma of HIV does not prevent anyone from living the life of their choice.
Finally, Laura Waters, President of the British HIV Association, commented: “Pilots should be judged by their ability to fly, not by whether they live with HIV or not. If bodies do not follow science, we will never receive the unacceptable stigma that people living with HIV still face – congratulations to the Civil Aviation Authority for doing this. In recognizing that people living with HIV can live normal lives, other airlines and other major organizations in the UK will follow suit!
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