Airline Pilot Medical (Class One)

Q: What is the Class One Medical?

As pilots our medical standing has to frequently checked to ensure that we meet the strict standards of flying. Such medicals are not exclusive to commercial pilots and even extend down to private pilots too, however, the class one is the highest standard of medical assessment and is required for airline flight and thus any major flying school that provides training services for such.

Q: How much does it cost?

An initial medical examination for the purposes of your first ever Class One certificate will set you back in the region of £390+VAT (June 2016). For a more recent price please consult your nearest AeroMedical Centre. 

Q: Do I need a valid medical to apply to L3 Airline Academy / CTC Aviation?

No. It is not a L3 Airline Academy / CTC Aviation requirement to have one prior to applying. However, I would personally recommend you seek one as it has been known people pass selection, get their hopes up, and then fail at the Class One Medical stage. Given the medical cost (as above) and the administrative cost payable for each selection day you attend, your wallet may also thank you for it. I obtained my medical before my selection day just to make sure my eyesight wasn't a disqualifying factor. You can read more about that on the About Me page.

Q: What do they assess as part of the process?

Your typical class one medical assessment will cover the following areas:

• Medical history
• Eyesight
• Physical examination
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Lung function test
• Haemoglobin blood test
• Urine test

You can find further information on what is included in each of these tests and the standards you have to meet for each component on the medicals section of the CAA website.

Q: Any tips for someone going for a medical?

Yes. Do not lie about anything regardless of how small it may be. There is a high chance you are putting lots of money on the line for your flying dream (as I have) and a small white lie may end up voiding any insurances down the line. It's not worth the risk. 

Also, if you have pre-existing conditions or you are currently seeing a doctor about anything you think may impact your initial assessment result, then take along the accompanying evidence with you to the examination. This will help the doctor to expedite the issuance of your medical if all goes well.

 Q: Where are the medicals conducted?

It used to be the case that you could only book a Class One medical assessment at the CAA doctors directly. However, this has recently changed and the CAA now conduct fewer and fewer appointments in-house. Most CAA Class 1 appointments are now conducted at CAA authorised AeroMedical Centres (AeMC).

At the time of writing there were only 3 authorised doctors whom could conduct these and they are all in the South of England. This may have changed since the date of this post so please consult the CAA website for the latest list of AeMCs.

Q: Where did you have your medical?

Aviation Medical Services, Horley, Surrey - a 2 minute drive from Gatwick Airport.

Any other questions?

If you have any more questions about the Class One medical then please use the contact form below and I'll aim to answer them for you as soon as I can.