Requirement to Hold a Medical Certificate

No person shall exercise or attempt to exercise the privileges of a permit, licence or rating unless the person holds a valid medical certificate of a category that is appropriate for that permit, licence or rating.

The maximum period of validity of a medical certificate is

(a) 12 months for the holder of an airline transport pilot licence - aeroplane or helicopter;

(b) 12 months for the holder of a commercial pilot licence - aeroplane or helicopter;

(c) 24 months for the holder of a student pilot permit - helicopter or a private pilot licence - aeroplane or helicopter;

(d) 60 months for the holder of a student pilot permit - glider or a pilot licence - glider;

(e) 60 months for the holder of a student pilot permit - aeroplane or a pilot permit - recreational;

(f) 24 months for the holder of a pilot licence - balloon;

(g) 12 months for the holder of a flight engineer licence;

(h) 24 months for the holder of an air traffic controller licence;

(i) 60 months for the holder of a flight instructor rating - glider or ultra-light aeroplane; and

(j) 60 months for the holder of a student pilot permit or pilot permit - ultra-light aeroplane.

Prohibition Regarding Exercise of Privileges

No holder of a permit, licence or rating shall exercise the privileges of the permit, licence or rating if

(a) one of the following circumstances exists and could impair the holder's ability to exercise those privileges safely:

(i) the holder suffers from an illness, injury or disability,

(ii) the holder is taking a drug, or

(iii) the holder is receiving medical treatment;

(b) the holder has been involved in an aircraft accident that is wholly or partially the result of any of the circumstances referred to in paragraph (a);

(c) the holder has entered the thirtieth week of pregnancy, unless the medical certificate is issued in connection with an air traffic controller licence, in which case the holder may exercise the privileges of the permit, licence or rating until the onset of labour; or

(d) the holder has given birth in the preceding six weeks.

Medical Certificate Requirements for Personnel Licences

(1) A Category 1 medical certificate is required for the following licences:

(a) commercial pilot licence - aeroplane or helicopter; and

(b) airline transport pilot licence - aeroplane or helicopter.

(2) A Category 1 or 2 medical certificate is required for the following licences:

(a) air traffic controller licence; and

(b) flight engineer licence.

(3) A Category 1 or 3 medical certificate is required for the following permits, licences and ratings:

(a) student pilot permit - helicopter;

(b) pilot permit - gyroplane;

(c) private pilot licence - aeroplane or helicopter;

(d) pilot licence - balloon;

(e) flight instructor rating - glider; and

(f) flight instructor rating - ultra-light aeroplane.

(4) A Category 1, 3 or 4 medical certificate is required for the following permits and licences:

(a) student pilot permit - aeroplane;

(b) pilot permit - recreational;

(c) student pilot permit or pilot permit - ultra-light aeroplane;

(d) student pilot permit - glider; and

(e) pilot licence - glider.