Whether it’s your first pilot medical or a routine renewal, we know medicals can feel unfamiliar. At Centreline, we aim to make the process as clear and stress-free as possible.
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Whilst there is a regulatory standard to meet for safety reasons, you can expect our AMEs to be informative, helpful and act as your advocate. A thorough knowledge of the regulations and many years experience helps us provide a detailed and informative service.
Most candidates meet the requirements. Where they don’t we are able to advise accordingly and collate reports, information and results which may go on to prove fitness. In some cases, the AME can then certify a candidate fit. At other times, as with mandatory referral conditions, the AME can provide a liaison service with the CAA.
The information here relates mainly to aviation medicals. For occupational medicals, the doctor will be able to explain the standard and advise on the day but the general principles detailed here apply.
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Important information for your medical
- Always attend your medical being well rested, having abstained from alcohol for at least 24 hrs and ensure you are well hydrated.
- Always bring your passport, your current certificate if you have one and any vision correction you need.
- If you are under 16 we strongly recommend to bring an adult relative with you
An initial class 1 or class 3 medical can take up to 4 hours or occasionally longer and will therefore take longer than the 45 minute appointment slot granted to allow booking. A revalidation or renewal usually takes about 45 minutes in total and can be done at Gatwick or London. Other occupational medicals typically also take about 45 minutes.
The online booking and payment system takes payment for the basic medical only or in the case of an initial class 1 or 3 medical, the deposit only. You will be responsible for any other billable items on the day you attend if they are required such as ECG, audio, casework fee, CAA fee or the remaining balance of the initial medical. A booking for a double revalidation or renewal medical takes payment for one medical only. You will be required to pay for the other medical on the day.
Mandatory urine drug and breath alcohol testing is required for initial class 1 pilot medicals. Haemoglobin and cholesterol testing is required in some medicals and is administered via a fingerprick blood test. It is acceptable to eat normally before this. Don’t empty your bladder until you’ve given a urine sample.
All applicants for aviation medicals should familiarise themselves the regulations found at http://www.caa.co.uk/medical in particular with regard to any medical condition suffered from now or in the past.
For initial medicals it is strongly advised to bring with you copies of any GP notes and hospital reports and results if these have not been submitted previously as they may be required.
All medical reports must be in English or be translated by a certified translator with an appropriate stamp and letterhead.
UK CAA medicals: Apply on Cellma via the UK CAA Customer Portal. See the Cellma Information button below for more information
What happens on the day of the initial pilot or ATCO medical?
When you attend for your UK CAA medical, your AME will look for your completed application form on the UK CAA Cellma system. The examination will be recorded on the system. Any medical issues arising from the examination will be recorded in the UK CAA Cellma system and become part of your CAA file.
The medical will consist of a physical examination, ECG, spirometry, audiogram, urine test, blood tests for haemoglobin and cholesterol (this is just a finger-prick test and you can eat before attending your medical), drug and alcohol testing (pilots only), and a full optometry assessment including colour vision assessments (including Ishara test unless Class 3 Initial or FAA Initial where a CAD test is mandatory).
If the doctor finds you fit, you will be issued with your medical certificate.
What happens if you are not issued a medical certificate on the day of your initial medical?
In about 1 in 3 cases a UK medical certificate cannot be issued on the day. This is usually due to current or past medical issues, eg vision abnormalities, ECG abnormalities or other mandatory referral condition. You will be informed if you need to see a specialist for a report. In such referral cases, please always ensure the specialist will be able to see you before embarking on a journey. Some specialists will not see people under 18 years of age and this should be checked when booking the appointment if necessary. (EU / EASA certificates may be delayed as per normal procedure discussed in the EASA / EU Medicals section).
In this situation, your case will be deferred to the CAA pending additional assessments and/or reports. Once all the reports are available the doctor will discuss them with the CAA. This process takes time. It can take just a few days or it can take many weeks. Hence, we recommend that you have your medical assessment as early as possible in your career or flight training to prevent these issues delaying the medical certificate and your flight training. There will be a further charge for this additional casework.
Whilst the additional reports are awaited, regrettably the doctor or any other staff cannot enter into telephone conversations. However, emails will be responded to as these maintain a clear record of all communication. Unless consent is given in writing, all correspondence is with the applicant only.
For initial class 1/2/3 – if the reports/assessment are acceptable, the case will be referred to the relevant authority for approval. For renewal medicals, you will be issued by the AME on duty* (subject to authority regulations)
Occasionally the CAA deems that your medical remains deferred as a result of medical problems and no certificate can be issued. If this happens you have the right of appeal to the UK CAA Medical Department
What happens during your Renewal or Revalidation Medical
Sickness management for aviation medical certificate holders
Holders of UK and EASA aviation medical certificates should ensure they are aware of the regulatory requirements where sickness is concerned. Conditions that lead to a risk of subtle or sudden incapacity must be reported to your AME.
Our AMEs are able to provide letters as required for the UK CAA, EASA authority or employer to prove fitness status and to be used where the pilot or ATCO is temporarily unfit (TU). In a lot of cases, the AME is able to return the pilot or ATCO to fitness on the basis of either examination or reports received. When TU, the AME will work with you to collate the evidence required to prove fitness and organise a referral to the CAA or other authority if this is a requirement. See our Contact Us page for our email address.
Over 65 Cardiology Assessment
For both the UK CAA and EASA medical certification it is a mandatory requirement to undergo assessment with a cardiologist, to include an exercise ECG (and further tests if medically necessary), to continue class 1 certification. beyond the age of 65.
NOTE: This can be done independent of your medical but in the same time window for the UK CAA but EASA authorities require this to be submitted ahead of your next medical after you reach age 65. You should arrange this in the 3 month period up to your 65th birthday and send the report to us for referral to the regulatory authority.
Understanding your Aviation Medical Certificate
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