BMI and Class 1

[agent.oen]

Question...
I'm quite athletic and fit and keep myself healthy at all times, going to the gym and having a good diet with protein, carbs and vegetables (and yeah, I take my vitamins!) Thing is, I'm under the category of 'Overweight' related to the BMI due to my constant gym workouts. I don't have more than an ounce of fat, I'm rather sure about it!

Is this problematic when it comes to the renewal of the Class 1 medical? When I got my Class 1 I did not weigh as much as I do now because I didn't have much time for the gym. I am categorised as Overweight, but I am by NO MEANS fat and I sure do not look overweight!!

AO

Edited to state 'renewal' not 'revalidation' of the medical.

[Mach086]

Its tough being a muscular stud isn't it - I know lol.

BMI is the biggest con ever and has gained its pride of place as a quick and easy measure that they put in women's magazines so they have somethign to talk over during coffee breaks. God knows why a respectable establishment like the CAA even have it on their website.

However! - they do take evreything into acount. I'm 0.1 over my recommended BMI - I've never had any problems. I guess it is again a quick and easy rule though to give a basic idea whether someone is pushing the scales a bit in the wrong direction.

I remeber sitting in Gatwick waiting for my initial. Felt like I was sitting in a weight watchers class. They all passed. I was the fit bloke who had to run around the building 6 times due to asthma - still passed though.

PS Edited to say:

Muscle weighs more than fat. yes yes I know 5lbs of muscle is the same as 5lbs of fat. We are talking density.

[agent.oen]

Exactly... I really don't see why the CAA should seriously consider a flawed measurement. It really doesn't take into account that muscle is more dense than fat. I was just wondering whether the examining doctor would take the BMI into account when, on physical inspection, it is evident that the individual is not overweight but just really fit... sixpack and all!

[Mach086]

I don't recall at any point the doctor taking my weight and height that was recorded during my visit and doing a calculation at his desk while I was in the room.

BMI wasn't once mentioned during the physical examination with him.

[agent.oen]

Last time I went for my Class 1 medical (about 6 months ago), during the physical inspection my height and weight were noted. I am not sure whether or not the BMI was calculated from these values, but I know that during the ATPL Human Factors course, BMI was discussed. This has brought me to believe that BMI is taken into consideration for Class 1 medicals.

I have now put on some weight (due to the gym) and my BMI has increased to the overweight category. If this is cause for concern, then I'd have to stop going to the gym!

[Mach086]

BMI makes me laugh. It takes 2 values, height and weight and does some primary school formula to come up with an index which means sweet FA.

Watch the 6 nations. Those fowards range between 5'10 and 6'7 - each one has a BMI that would make them morbidly fatally obese - i.e off the scale. They would need to be 9 foot tall in order to bring their BMI to a "normal" level.

Yet these prop forwards et al could run the marathon and then break a spirometry machine if they blew into one.

The doctor isn't stupid. He doesn't need to get his calculator out for him to tell someone whether they are overweight. He'll see form your body whether you do indeed have that six pack or whether you are carrying a lovely roll around your midrift!

Don't worry mate. But if you are concerend call gatwick.

[gingernut]

Try a search, (try the term "pie eater" or "fat bastard"- I'm not kidding) I wrote about this some time ago. In moderately elevated BMI's, the waist measurement should be taken into account.

AME's start getting twitched when the BMI is >/= 37

[agent.oen]

Good, this all sounds reassuring then :) I've also checked the BMI on wiki and it is stated there that many doctors are aware of its flaws and have other methods of more accurate calculations.

[The_Pharoah]

ummm I'm 6'2'' and weigh 105kg...BMI didn't even come into the equation. Per the doc, you have to be obese, deaf, blind and a raving diabetic to fail your Class 1! no $hit. :ok:

[Mach086]

The Pharoah is right. People get tense about the Class 1, as did I, but it is nothing to worry about.

I'm 6'2 which means my spirometry will never be as high as the less taller lads, A BMI above "normal", and I take the brown asthma pump, the blue asthma pump, AND montelukast steroids so I dont get sport induced asthma. And I will need glasses to fly.

I still passed!!!!

[agent.oen]

:cool:
This is all great news to hear!!! At least this way I need not have to think twice about my gym efforts and its (positive) implications on my body mass and shape :ok:

[AN2 Driver]

I do hear rumours that in Europe, EASA is getting twitchy on BMI above 30 :eek:

Some of my colleagues needed to subject themselves to 4 weekly controls by their flight physician with a threat of revocation of even a class 2 medical if their BMI would not go below 30 in a given period of time.

Any similar experiences or is this just Switzerland trying to reduce air traffic again?

Best regards
AN2 driver.