A case of 43-year-old fighter pilot with bronchial asthma

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) righter pilot with adult onset atopi c bronchial asthma was successfully returned to flying status. This was aga inst the common wisdom of most Japanese military flight surgeons. Bronchial asthma generally results in permanent disqualification from flying duties because of possible acute incapacitation during flight. This JASDF pilot wa s treated with inhaled medications, including beclomethasone, for 6 mo with suppression of all clinical symptoms. All medications were discontinued an d the pilot was observed for another 7 mo before resumption of flying statu s. This aeromedical disposition was based on the thinking that his long asy mptomatic period indicated bronchial inflammation was resolved, bronchial r eactivity was improved, and thus the risk of exacerbation was reduced.