A couple of years ago, a friend was asking me about doing a PPL but was concerned that he had little or no sense of smell and if that would be an issue?
I said to get in touch with my local AME, which he never did but he’s asking again now having never started his PPL. I don’t think it will be an issue insofar as a class 2 medical doesn’t require a sense of smell check and my gut feeling would be that its not a problem. However, whilst there are cockpit carbon monoxide detectors, i don’t think there is anything which could detect the smell of burning or avgas?
Any thoughts or ideas?
Obviously I am not a doctor but I know someone with this issue, and a huge factor is whether this is a recent development. If so, he needs to get a brain MRI ASAP.
Hi Peter, its not a recent issue – its always been that way as long as he can remember (even from his earliest childhood). He’s now in his mid 30’s.
Having no sense of smell is a good thing especially when flying in rental aircraft 
I don’t think it will be an issue as it’s not covered by the aeromedical examination…
When questioned by authority never provide an answer to a question that hasn’t been asked.
Regulation wise this should not be a problem. As said above by Silvaire, I would not even bring it up during the medical.
Peter is also correct in saying that if anyone got this kind of problem suddenly/acutely, it’s a red flag and urgent medical help should be sought. Stroke or brain tumour are just two of the likely diagnoses in such a case.
Since this seems to be a decade old issue, it’s probably nothing life threatening and should prob99 be no issue as a pilot.
Peter wrote:
or if flying almost any PA38
Or PA28.
