Flight assessment with copd

[Akmama]

Has anybody had a flight assessment with copd? What is it like and how often do they say no?

[Sunflower13]

Hi Akmama, I've had a few in the last few years & they're nothing to worry about. They test your blood gases before & after. Then attach an oximeter to yr finger to monitor yr oxygen levels, put a face mask on, introduce oxygen, then gases that mimic the conditions at altitude. You breathe this is for about 20 mins (the gas doesn't smell at all, so you won't notice), your sats will start dropping & they see how far they drop in the timeframe & then introduce oxygen again after 20 ish mins & measure how quickly your sats go back up to about 90. If sats drop to 85 or under you'll definitely need oxygen to fly - or if they dropped really badly or didn't recover once you were back on oxygen, unfortunately you may be unable to fly. As I said, the test is nothing to worry about, the only thing you may feel is a bit drowsy. I've waffled a bit but hope this info helps. Good luck 🌻Christina x