SHOULD A PILOT SUFFERING FROM MENIERES-DISEASE BE GROUNDED OR LIFTED OFF TO THE MOON

Recently, a pilot suffering from Meniere's disease was referred to our department. The decision concerning his ability to fly was made after an open discussion with him and his employer. He was allowed to fly d uring a period of remission. The relationship based on mutual trust pr oved to be wise since this pilot never tried to deny any recurrence of vertigo and spontaneously decided to obtain a waiver when vertigo reo ccurred. In contrast, a law stating that pilots with Meniere's disease should be permanently grounded regardless of the treatment's result m ay lead to pilots flying with unconfessed illness.