General To apply for a pilots licence, fly solo while under training and to exercise the privileges of a licence the applicant / student / licence holder must hold a valid medical certificate. The PPL only requires a Class 2 Medical Certificate. Medical examinations are conducted by the CAA or Authorised Medical Examiners (AME). A Class 1 Medical Certificate is acceptable for Class 2 privileges and validities.

JAA Medical Classes

Note: A certificate issued prior to the holder's 30th birthday will not be valid for class 2 privileges after the 32nd birthday.

Revalidation/Renewal

A medical can be renewed/revalidated up to 45 days prior to the renewal/revalidation date.

Periodicity of Tests included In the Examination for issue of a JAA Medical Certificate

Tests Required	Class 2 - Periodicity	Class 1 - Periodicity
Electrocardiogram - ECG (Heart)	At initial examination then: Age 40 to 49 - 2 yearly Age 50+ - annually	At initial examination then: Under 30 - 5 yearly Age 30 to 39 - 2 yearly Age 40 to 49 - annually Age 50+ - 6 monthly
Audiogram (Hearing)	Hearing test for IR holders at initial then: Under age 40 - 5 yearly Age 40+ - 2 yearly	At initial then: Under age 40 - 5 yearly Age 40+ - 2 yearly
Haemoglobin (Blood test)	At initial examination	Every examination
Electroencephalogram	If indicated	At initial
Lipid Profile (Cholesterol)	Only needed if 2 or more coronary risk factors are identified at initial then at age 40	At initial then age 40
Pulmonary Function Tests (Lungs)	Peak flow at initial then: At age 40 Then 4 yearly	Peak flow at initial then: At age 30, 35 and 40 Then 4 yearly
Chest X-ray	Only if indicated	At initial
Comprehensive Opthalmic Examination (Eyesight)	At initial	At initial then: 2 yearly by Vision Care Specialist if Corrective Lens Limitation applied
Otorhinolaryngeal Examination (Ear, Nose and Throat)	Routine tests at initial and renewal, extended tests only if indicated	Comprehensive examination at initial. Then: Under age 40 - 5 yearly Age 40+ - 2 yearly
Urinalysis	Every examination	Every examination

References

LASORS
JAR-FCL 3

Pilots Resposibilities concerning their Medical Status

Licence holders or student pilots shall not exercise the privileges of their licence, rating or authorisation at any time when they are aware of any decrease in their medical fitness which might render them unable to safely exercise those privileges and they shall without undue delay seek the advice of the CAA or an AME when becoming aware of:

Surgical operation or invasive procedure

All procedures requiring the use of a general or spinal anaesthetic (no flying for at least 48 hours)

All procedures requiring local or regional anaesthetic eg. a visit to dentist requiring an injection (no flying for at least 12 hours)

The regular use of medication

The need to regularly use correcting lenses

Hospital or clinic admission for more than 12 hours

In addition, every holder of a medical certificate issued in accordance with JAA who is aware of:

Being pregnant

Any significant personal injury involving incapacity to function as a member of a flight crew

Any illness involving incapacity to function as a member of a flight crew throughout a period of 21 days or more i s to inform the CAA in writing of such injury or pregnancy immediately or as soon as the period of 21 days has elapsed in the case of illness.

The medical certificate shall be deemed to be suspended upon the occurence of such injury or confirmation of pregnancy or the elapse of such period of illness

The CAA may not require another medical but may simply impose some restrictions before reinstating the medical certificate.Licence holders or student pilots who require to wear spectacles to correct their vision can obtain further information from AICs.The direct side effects of any medication administered to produce a specific action on the body are often not clearly understood, except by doctors. Almost all drugs have some side effects detrimental to the normal functions of the body. Major side effects of common medications may include:

Drowsiness

Mental depression

Reduced sharpness of vision

Decreased co-ordination

Increased nervousness

Decreased depth of perception and cognitive judgement

Although there may be only minor side effects from some of the commonly used medicines when a person is on the ground, these effects can be more subtle and unpredictable at altitude. Pilots must have a reasonable appreciation of this in order to judge when they are really fit to fly.If you are taking any medicine you should ask yourself the following 3 questions:

Am I really fit to fly?

Do I really need to take medication at all?

Have I given this particular medication a personal trial on the ground of at least 24 hours before flight to ensure that it will not have any adverse effects whatever on my ability to fly?

Further information may be obtained from AICs.Remember if in doubt DO NOT FLY.

Important New Rules Concerning Glasses And Contact Lenses

New rules on wearing of a pair of glasses or contact lenses have been agreed internationally:-

There is no lower limit for visual acuity without correction

No limits for the degree of refractive error

Contact lenses are permitted

Refractive surgery is permitted so long as the operation is successful and without adverse effects

Important changes to the Eye Sight Requirements for Class 1 Medicals

The CAA have issued new guidelines/requirements concerning the eye sight limitations for the issue of a Class 1 medical certificate.For full details see Medical section of the CAA website www.caa.co.uk or contact CAA medical department by email: medicalweb@srg.caa.co.uk