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 JAR Medical Certificate

• AIC 18(W348)/99
• AIC 135(P155)/1997
• LASORS

Pilots Responsibilities 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 JAR 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

Is 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 should read AIC 135(155)/1997 for more information.

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 AIC 114(P128)/1996.

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

For more information see the Medical section on the CAA website www.srg.caa.co.uk

Important Changes To The Eye Sight Requirements For Class 1 Medicals