Obtain your aviation medical certificate in 5 simple steps
You already know that you must hold an aviation medical certificate in order to be considered fit to fly. But which one? And which class? And, most importantly, where from?
Don’t worry: the good news is that obtaining the right medical certificate is much more straightforward than you might think. In fact, at Heathrow Medical, you can apply for, prepare for, and receive your certificate in just 5 simple steps.
Keep reading for our step-by-step guide to the skies.
Identify your aviation authority
The first step in securing your aviation medical certificate is to identify which region you will be operating in.
Each part of the world has its own aviation authority, and it’s important that you attend the right medical examination required by the governing body for your jurisdiction. We offer all classes of medicals for these authorities:
- CAA: The Civil Aviation Authority (UK).
- EASA: European Authority for Aviation Safety (all EU member states).
- FAA: Federal Aviation Administration (United States of America).
- CASA: Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Australia).
- CAME: Transport Canada (Canada).
- GACA: General Authority of Civil Aviation (KSA).
- DCA: Department of Civil Aviation (The Republic of Mauritius).
Our London AeMC offers a convenient, one-stop visit for all your aeromedical requirements, no matter where your role takes you.
Choose the right class
Once you know which authority is the right one for you, the next step is to find out which class of medical you need.
The medicals that we offer are divided into three categories which generally cover these occupations:
- Class 1: Commercial and airline pilots.
- Class 2: Private and non-commercial pilots.
- Class 3: Air traffic controllers, including trainees.
We highly recommend checking which class is the right one for you before booking your appointment, as the guidelines differ for each aviation authority (for example, the eligibility requirements for an FAA Class 2 are not the same as those for an EASA Class 2, whilst the CASA offers an additional two classes).
Get in touch with us if you have any questions or are unsure which class you need to be cleared for take-off.
Know what to expect
All pilots, regardless of where they are flying to or from, must meet high standards of health, fitness, and mental acuity. The priority of any medical is to evaluate your health, and the checks included in each medical are largely standardised across the different authorities.
When attending an initial medical, you should expect to undergo a physical examination of the following:
- Your cardiovascular system, which may involve an electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Your musculoskeletal system.
- Your respiratory system.
- Your vision and hearing, including a colour vision test.
- Your metabolic and endocrine systems, including blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
The renewal appointments that follow will require fewer checks, but all appointments will include a review of your medical history and a frank discussion about your mental wellbeing, so make sure you are prepared to discuss both with your AME.
Prepare for your appointment
Now that you have a good idea of what to expect, all that is left for you to do is to adequately prepare for your initial medical.
This largely involves keeping fit and healthy by:
- Maintaining a healthy diet.
- Exercising regularly.
- Getting enough sleep (8 hours a night).
- Staying hydrated.
- Limiting screen time to avoid straining your eyes.
It also includes monitoring any new or existing conditions and taking the recommended steps to manage the risks they pose. It is normal to feel anxious in the runup to your appointment, especially for your initial medical, but don’t let these understandable worries spike your stress levels.
Stress can be just as harmful as a physical condition, so share your anxieties with someone you trust, and contact your AME with any questions or concerns. We will be happy to answer them all and help put your mind at ease.
Bring the right documents
Finally, you will be required to bring the following with you when attending any initial appointment at Heathrow Medical:
- Your passport as proof of identity.
- A printout of your GP summary medical history.
- Details of your medical history, including any current conditions.
- Your current eye prescription, along with your glasses or contact lenses.
It is a good idea to gather all of these well ahead of time to avoid any last-minute delays in obtaining your aviation medical certificate. If there is any additional documentation that is required for a specific medical, or if you need to undergo any additional tests as an initial applicant, then we will inform you of this when you book your appointment.
Obtain your aviation medical certificate today
Now you’re all set to take to the skies with the correct aviation medical certificate for you.
Click here to book in for your initial appointment, or here to view our full range of aeromedicals.