What’s changing for Class 2 pilot medical requirements in 2026?
The pilot medical requirements could be changing over the next few months as the UK Civil Aviation Authority reviews or finalises proposed updates relating to their aviation medicals.
These possible changes are nothing to feel concerned about. The CAA has amended its pilot medical requirements before, and you can always rely on our team to help you navigate these changes as and when they happen.
Read on to find out what’s changing in CAA medical requirements in the new year, and contact us today to make sure there are no barriers to the skies in 2026.
Pilot medical requirements as of 2025
Before we examine the upcoming changes to Pilot Medical Declarations, which allow Class 2 pilots to self-declare their fitness, let’s first review the changes that came into effect at the end of 2024, as they may still impact you.
Following extensive consultations with the relevant parties (in this case, pilots just like you!), the CAA made the following changes to the PMD system in autumn last year:
- Pilots must hold a UK driving licence or submit a statement from a GP verifying that they meet the DVLA Group 1 driving licence standards.
- PMD’s are to now be renewed every five years until the age of 60, and then every two years thereafter.
- Pilots who are taking medication for a psychiatric condition are now able to submit a PMD.
These changes came with the announcement that all PMD holders must renew their declaration in line with the new requirements within 12 months. Any PMDs issued before the implementation of the changes is now considered invalid, so if you currently hold a PMD that was issued before autumn 2024, you must renew it as soon as possible.
Changes to the PMD system in 2026
Further changes to the Pilot Medical Declaration system have recently been announced regarding who can hold a PMD instead of a Class 2 medical certificate.
The CAA has reviewed its policy allowing flight instructors to make a PMD and has concluded that it no longer aligns with the high standards required to earn a Part-FCL pilot licence. As such, instructors who deliver flight instruction on SEP/TMG aircraft only (microlight, balloon, and sailplane instructors are unaffected by these changes) will need to be medically certified by an AME before their PMD privileges are potentially withdrawn.
The CAA will be consulting on the changes in the coming months, and more information will be available soon on the CAA website. If these new developments impact you, then please arrange a CAA medical with us today to maintain your compliance.
Changes to the assessment protocol for diabetes
Currently, pilots with diabetes are assessed as unfit if they require insulin, or, if they do not require insulin, until they can demonstrate that their blood sugar levels are controlled. This applies to both Class 1 and Class 2 pilots, and all Class 1 pilot certificates are issued with an operational multi-pilot limitation (OML), which restricts their privileges to operating only as or with a qualified co-pilot.
The CAA’s assessment protocol for insulin-treated diabetes has been set in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices, but the CAA has been working to change through their involvement with a Horizon Europe research project.
Part of this project, which is expected to finish by the end of this year, involves testing insulin pumps and glucose monitors within in-flight conditions, and the findings will be used to update the CAA medical requirements for pilots with diabetes. Whilst we do not yet know the exact results of the project, it is expected that Class 1 applicants with controlled diabetes will continue to be included in the protocol, and the CAA is already working to find a way to include Class 3 applicants as well.
The CAA has asked that those who hope, or are already training, to become a pilot remain patient as they complete their research and implement these changes safely. More information will be available once the project has concluded, and if you have already booked your initial or renewal medical for early 2026 then we will be able to give you more information during your appointment.
Changes in how medical certificates are issued
Whilst the CCA has an online system for applicants to view their medical records and certificates, the organisation has recently been consulting on whether to issue pilot licences and medical certificates as both electronic and physical documents.
This would be done on an individual basis, and this proposal was supported by the majority of the respondents. The CAA is now currently working with the Department for Transport (DfT) to amend the legislation regarding these records to permit either a physical or electronic form of licence or certificate to be issued.
These proposed amendments should be in place by the middle of next year, but please be aware that it will remain against the Convention on International Civil Aviation for any aviation professional to have both an electronic and hard copy for the same kind of documentation.
Stay ahead of the changing CAA medical requirements
We understand that you may still have questions regarding the pilot medical requirements and whether any of the upcoming changes affect you or not, and we will be able to answer them all.
Get in touch with our team for more information by emailing us or filling in our Online Contact Form.