What to expect from and how to prepare for a CASA medical
Which CASA medical you need will differ depending upon your role within the Australian aviation industry and the licence that you hold, but one thing that will never change is the requirement for you to have an in-date medical certificate to continue flying.
We are able to perform all classes of this medical at our AMCe, so whatever stage of your career you’re at, let’s take a look at what you can expect from the right CASA aviation medical for you.
Class 1 medical
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires those working within the aviation sector to hold one of the three classes of aviation medicals, or to hold a Class 2 self-assessment medical for private and recreational pilots.
The first of these is the Class 1 CASA medical, which is required for commercial pilots, air transport pilots, and flight engineers, including student flight engineers. If this is the medical for you, then you will need to book an appointment to secure or renew your certificate before you can receive your licence.
In terms of what to expect, the medical assessments will differ depending upon your age and whether you are applying for an initial or renewal certificate, but they will always include:
- An eye test
- A hearing test
- A physical examination
- Finger prick blood tests
- An ECG
- A review of any medication you are taking
- And a discussion of your medical history
Depending upon the findings of our aeromedical team, you may be required to attend a future consultation with a specialist to investigate any conditions that affect your ability to perform your role safely. If we find nothing of note then our findings go to the CASA who are responsible for issuing the final certificate, and we will see you at your next renewal appointment.
Class 2 medical
This medical is for recreational and private pilot licence holders, and student pilots must also pass this medical assessment or its Basic Class 2 counterpart before they can fly solo.
Like the Class 1, we recommend that you schedule to remain onsite for up to 4 hours whilst your medical exam is conducted, and to come prepared to discuss your medical history and declare any conditions. Class 2 applications must be denied if you have any medical conditions that cause temporary or long-term incapacitation, and also if you have epilepsy, irreversible dementia, or psychosis.
Our Class 2 examinations also include mandatory drug testing, as this has been introduced by the CASA across all of their medicals – so, please be prepared to undergo a breathalyser test and a drug screen, and to consume no food, drink, or cigarettes during the 20 minutes leading up to the tests.
Class 3 medical
This final medical is reserved for air traffic controllers and flight service officers, and is designed to assess your ability to meet the health and safety requirements for these roles.
Whilst you are not in charge of a vehicle in flight, you are responsible for the safety of numerous passengers and aviation professionals on a daily basis, and it is our responsibility as a CASA-approved aeromedical centre to make sure that you are physically capable of performing your duties.
This includes the usual vision, hearing, blood and drug tests, as well as a comprehensive physical examination, to make sure that there are no existing health conditions that could affect your ability to respond quickly and act under pressure. A valid certificate is then issued by the CASA and must be renewed within 2 years, so make sure that you book your appointment well in advance of the expiry date.
How to prepare for a CASA medical
Before you attend your appointment there are several steps you need to take, including:
- Registering with the CASA by creating an account
- Completing the online application for your medical
- Booking an appointment with our team
- Informing us of any pre-existing conditions or past medical issues
- Collecting your GP summary medical history from your GP practice
- Gathering any historical medical reports to bring with you to the appointment
In most cases, the CASA will certify you as fit for duty if your medical issues are found to not impact your day-to-day abilities. With this in mind, we advise you to be as honest as possible with our team, as they are here to identify any conditions and refer you to specialists who can investigate these conditions further.
Book your CASA medical today
To secure an appointment at a time convenient for you, please email us, call us, or use our online booking system.
We look forward to welcoming you to our AMCe, but please remember that you will need to create an account with CASA well in advance of attending your appointment, so why not tick this off your list now before making your booking.