A pilot medical usually takes up to 1 hour and a certificate is issued on the premises if you satisfy the CAA requirements.
You should be fit, have good eyesight and hearing, and have no current or previous illness which might interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft. For more Information please visit www.caa.co.uk/medical.
Before contacting the clinic to book an appointment, please ensure you have registered on the CAA Customer Portal (https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/About-us/Doing-business-with-the-CAA/Customer-portal/), have a CAA reference number and are registered for “Medical” under “Your Services”. After making your appointment, please apply for your medical certificate on the portal at least 48hrs before you visit to ensure the application is available to me on the day.
For Class 2 and LAPL initial applicants, please visit an Optician for an eye test and take with you the CAA Ophthalmology Examination Report form (MED 162) for completion which can be found on the CAA website or via a search engine of your choice. Personal health advice in relation to your medical fitness can be sourced directly from me by contacting the clinic.
Finally, on the day of your appointment, please bring your passport/driving license, latest Optician sight test report (prescription card is sufficient unless initial applicant) which should be within the last two years, and attend with a fairly full bladder as a urine sample will be required on your arrival.
Cabin Crew have different medical requirements and information can be found at https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Airlines/Cabin-crew/Medical-requirements/Medical-requirements-for-cabin-crew/. A medical takes about 30 minutes and there is no need to provide a sight test report or produce a urine sample on the day. Investigations e.g. ECG are not required unless clinically indicated. PLEASE RING THE CLINIC TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT and, as above, please bring your passport/driving license on the day.
Medical Certificate |
Class 1
Single pilot air transport operations carrying passengers |
Class 1
Other commercial operations |
Class 2 |
| Validity of certificate | Under 40 – 12 months
40 plus -6 months |
Under 60 – 12 months
60 plus – 6 months |
Under 40- 60 months*
40-49 – 24 months 50 plus – 12 months |
| Electrocardiogram | At initial then
Under 30 – 5 yearly 30-39 – 2 yearly 40-49 – annually 50 plus – 6 monthly |
At initial then
Under 30 – 5 yearly 30-39 – 2 yearly 40-59 – annually 60 plus – 6 monthly |
At initial then
first medical after age 40 – 50 plus – every 2 years |
| Audiogram | At initial then
Under 40 -5 yearly 40 plus – 2 yearly |
At initial then
Under 40 -5 yearly 40 plus – 2 yearly |
Applies to instrument rating only. At initial then
Under 40 – 5 yearly 40 plus – 2 yearly |
| Lipid Profile | At initial then age 40 | At initial then age 40 | If clinically indicated |
| Haemoglobin blood test | Every examination | Every examination | If clinically indicated |
| Comprehensive eye exam with Optician using CAA Ophthalmology form | At initial | At initial | At initial |
Validity, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
(b) Revalidation
Examinations and/or assessments for the revalidation of a medical certificate may be undertaken up to 45 days prior to the expiry date of
the medical certificate.
(c) Renewal
(1) If the holder of a medical certificate does not comply with (b), a renewal examination and/or assessment shall be required.
(2) In the case of Class 1 and Class 2 medical certificates, if the medical certificate has expired for more than 5 years, the examination will require an initial issue assessment.
(3) In the case of LAPL medical certificates, I am authorised to conduct initial, renewal and revalidation examinations. Certificate duration is two yearly and I require an ECG at initial issue over the age of 50 and thereafter if indicated. Pilots should also attend an Optician with a CAA Ophthalmology form prior to an initial issue medical.