AVIATION officials have vetoed a man’s dream of becoming a pilot because he is HIV positive.
Glasgow North MP Patrick Grady says his constituent, who has been identified only as Anthony, is the victim of discrimination and has urged UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to intervene.
Although Anthony secured the offer of a pilot training scheme place from EasyJet, he has been unable to take this up due to the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
It rejected his licence application on the grounds of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rules.
Until three years ago, people with HIV could apply for the medical certificate needed to train for and fly commercial flights by seeking an “operational multi-crew limitation”, which precluded them from flying solo.
However, the CAA has since updated its position, although EASA said the UK body could deviate from its rules as long as safety levels can be maintained. The safety issue relates to concerns about impairment of memory, thinking, and judgment.
However, experts told BuzzFeed News, which broke the story, that this was “simplistic and naive” and that modern anti-retroviral treatments prevent cognitive impairment.
Anthony said: “It has destroyed a boyhood dream for me.”
Grady told The National last night: “Nobody should be discriminated against because of their HIV status, and the experiences my constituent has reported are concerning.
“I wrote to Chris Grayling, the Secretary of State for Transport, on November 28 asking him to investigate the issues raised by my constituent and outline what next steps are available to him.
“I am pressing for an urgent response, and will be happy to make further representations on my constituent’s behalf if helpful.”
The Department for Transport said Grayling would respond.
The CAA said: “We support a rule change in this area, where it is safe to do so, and will continue to work with EASA and HIV experts to reassess this regulation.”
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