AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2014 - 26

FLY WELL

10-step program

BY DR. JONATHAN M. SACKIER

Preventative maintenance for your frame
REGULAR PISTON ENGINE oil changes are a waste of
money-why not just top it off occasionally? And adding all the way to the fill line is crazy, right? Checking
your tires? Way over-rated! The manufacturers just put
those treads in so the tire wears out faster. As for eyeballing the fuel in your tanks? Waste of time, what are
fuel gauges for? Yes, I am trying to be ironic; these are
all patently wacky, why would any pilot risk his life or
those of his passengers without taking care and attention of their flying machine? But what about the men
(and women) who fly them? Consider some preventative maintenance you can do on yourself.
1. Fuel: You wouldn't put any old gas in your tanks,
so treat your bodily temple with similar respect. Is there
anything you are eating that could compromise your
health or ability to fly safely and well? Are caffeinated
beverages affecting your mood? Are you carrying too
much baggage in your fuselage? Obesity and diabetes
will kill a non-instrument-rated pilot with more efficiency than unintentional flight into IMC.

Why would any pilot risk his life or those of his
passengers without taking care of his flying
machine?

DR. JONATHAN SACKIER

is a medical
professional
offering support
to members under
the Pilot Protection
Services plan.

2. Medications: Always check the AOPA medication
database (www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Medical/
Medications-Database) and speak to your AME prior
to taking any new medication. Also be aware that there
are many over-the-counter vitamin or food supplements
that promise to "improve" the health of any bodily
system. Just be aware that such non-FDA-approved
products have not undergone stringent safety and efficacy testing of approved drugs. I am not saying they do
not work, I am just advising caution. However, if a company really believed that its wonder pill could fulfill the
promise why would they not invest in such trials? Yes,
they are expensive (very expensive) but the rewards
would be huge. Consider what prophylactic medications might be right for you such as low-dose aspirin or
a cholesterol-lowering drug.
3. Spot check: Ever felt the urge to stand naked
in front of a mirror checking out your body? No? Try
it one day and then every month do it again. Look for
any spots or discolorations that may have changed.
Perhaps hold a ruler next to the spot (take your mind
out the gutter please) and take a selfie so that you can

26 | AOPA PILOT November 2014

compare the photo month to month. You are looking
for any changes that might indicate skin cancer and if
you see something, get thee to a doctor pronto!
4. Pipes: I have mentioned this before and will
keep doing so until no one dies of embarrassment any
more. If you are over age 50 or have a family history
of colon cancer, blood in your stool or changed bowel
habit, have a colonoscopy. It is simple and is not hideous as you will be fast asleep during the procedure.
This simple test finds polyps before they become cancers and they can easily be taken out.
5. Numbers: Land on the numbers and know your
numbers-blood pressure, blood lipids, and routine
blood tests.
6. Family history: Learn what killed or medically
troubled your parents, grandparents, and other close
relatives as this could inform your physician about
what screening tests to perform. For instance, a history of certain cancers might inspire them to do a
BRCA test.
7. Rhythm section: Consider having a heart scan or
other screening test for coronary artery disease. Each
time I mention this I get some hate mail from medical
colleagues (I guess that means someone is reading my
articles), but it raises a good point-discuss all of this
with your personal doctor who is best able to advise
you.
8. Fatigue: Metal fatigue can cause big problems in
your wings; mental fatigue can cause big problems in
life and bone fatigue, or osteoporosis can put a dent in
your day. And hip. If you are older, have smoked, have
a family history, take certain medications such as steroids, consider a simple bone density scan. If positive,
take the prescribed medication and learn about fracture prevention.
9. Sensors: Look after your ears by wearing defenders or ear plugs at the airport and noise-cancelling
headsets in the cockpit. Wear sunglasses and have your
ears and eyes checked annually, prior to your medical.
10. Get smart: Knowledge is power. Take control of
your life. It is, after all, your life. And get engaged with
AOPA for the debate about medical certification and
other topics. As an Englishman, I saw the freedom to
fly eroded as the aviation community failed to act. Let's
not allow the same thing to happen here.
AOPA
EMAIL jonathan.sackier@aopa.org

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Medical/Medications-Database http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Medical/Medications-Database

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - November 2014

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