Pilots, My husband flew for over 35 years. First in the TF160, Army, and then for corporate flying fixed wing. Regarding the EKG, PLEASE do not assume that the flight surgeon NOR the FAA will disclose any information to you or that the information is correct that they provide to you. My husband died on July 16, 2015 of a heart attack. N0 heart history, no signs, no high bp, no bad hdl or cdl. The man worked out at the gym, ate well, didn't smoke and looked far younger than his 59 years. For 17 years, he went to the same flight surgeon. He thought his EKG's were normal. He went to the gym the morning he died and made a smoothie. Upon his heart attack and death, I went looking for answers. I went to the flight surgeon and requested all 17 years worth of EKG's. Six of the last ten years were abnormal. They were however on the FAA approved fly list. Four of the abnormal EKG's repeated themselves four times, and of those four, two years back to back. I called the flight surgeon to ask him if he ever told my husband and he stated "No, I don't ever recall telling Ed his EKG's were abnormal." I then requested the records from the FAA. To my surprise, the FAA had changed the result of the EKG that the flight surgeon had sent without requesting another EKG. Again, we were not notified nor was the flight surgeon. I then called the FAA in Atlanta, GA to find out why this was policy. We were told exact quote, "Why would we be obligated to tell you? A cardiologist would have told you the same thing." We were never given that opportunity and I can tell you I loved my husband enough that six abnormal EKG's would have resulted in a lot of tests (without the knowledge of the flight surgeon of course) to see what was occurring with his heart as every EKG prior to 2005 was completely normal. I would have honestly dogged him until we knew he was okay. I am trying to get this rule changed. If this has happened to you, please email me at d_schillo@hotmail.com. I do not believe the flight surgeon nor the FAA have the right to play God with pilots lives. We all know, as did I, pilots are trained to not disclose any issue with the flight surgeon as it may result in being grounded. Never in 100 years, did I believe that the flight surgeon and FAA were trained to not disclose information to pilots but I can promise you they are. Our family died that day too. I will spend the rest of my life trying to get this rule changed. Sincerely, Darya Schillo
