I'm 21 years old and over the last 2 years have worked towards getting my CPL MEIR here in Australia. In 2022 I did a 1 year course to get my CPL and took about 6-7 months of 2023 to complete my ATPL exams and in the last half of the year completed my MEIR. Everything has went well and I did a lot better than what I ever thought I would (averaging 80% in exams and haven't failed a flight test).

My only issue throughout my whole training has been CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority), which is basically Australia's EASA/FAA. I have never had a good experience with them and now it has gotten even worse. From the start of my training I have had to jump through so many loop holes just to get what I want. My first class 1 took 9 months to get because the doctor "lost" my reports, and at one point the head of aviation medicine at the time called me and said that I would likely never get a medical certificate. Anyways, I got it with the restriction that I go see a cardiologist, optometrist and do a spirometry test every year for my renewal. This a lone adds at least $500 to my medical expenses. Anyways, I have also had problems with license applications but I won't go through that as medicals are the main reason I'm making this post.

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After completing my CPL I let my class 1 expire and stuck with my class 2 as I had no need for a class 1.

When I finished my MEIR last year I was getting ready to go and look for a job and so I applied for my class 1 and did the usual requirements for me (cardio, optometrist, spirometry). All sent through, waited for a response and got one in late December. This email said that I am no longer allowed to fly solo due to complications with my heart and that I must have a safety pilot with me at all times (applying to both my class 1 and class 2). Needless to say, this has brought me down quite a lot and I'm at a loss of what to do.

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I have seen a 2nd cardiologist who specialises in aviation to get a second opinion and in hopes that he can save my case. But when I spoke to him and to my AME, they both pretty much told me that the restriction I've been given is very difficult to get rid of and that it's basically 'luck of the draw' on wether or not CASA decided to remove it or not.

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My cardiologist (primary and secondary) and AME have all said that in their opinions there is nothing to worry about with my heart and that my only problem is CASA itself.

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There are no jobs whatsoever that I'm aware of in Australia that would allow me to work with this restriction on my license, so my career has basically ended before it's even begun.

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I'm just so lost on what to do. If I don't get this restriction removed I feel like I've wasted almost 3 years of my life and gotten myself into 150k debt for nothing.