Flight Medical details

[Morph]

Before you are allowed to go solo you must have passed your flight medical. It is advisable to get this done way before, especially if you are not particularly fit or have some physical/health issues. In fact if you do know of issues like hypertension(high blood pressure), cholesterol, bad eyesight, hearing loss etc, go and have these sorted out first before you waste your money on a flight medical. With this I mean get these conditions under control, tablets, glasses etc. The worst thing is to start your training, and love flying only to be turned down for medical reasons.

1. What Medical to you need to do ?
Class 4 Medical

2. How long is the medical valid for?
5 years if under 40 and have no medical conditions
3 years if over 40 and have no medical conditions
If you do have conditions such as high blood pressure etc then the doctor can and will shorten the validity period based on how under control your ailment is.

3. What do I need to take with
A chest Xray. This can be done at any clinic. Tell them it's for a flight medical. It will cost around R200. This is required every 5 years

4. What does the test entail
a) A physical medical examination including weight, height, heart, lungs, the normal questions regarding family disease and disorders etc
b) Eye tests, make sure you have your glasses with you if you need to use them while flying/driving
c) Hearing tests, again if you use hearing aids make sure you have them with you
d) A resting ECG
e) Strength tests, testing your motor functions etc in your arms and legs
f) A lung capacity check. Here you must blow into a tube and they measure the capacity and strength of your lungs.

5. How much
This varies from doctor to doctor but the test is usually around R300 and Xrays (once every 5 years) is R200. You generally can't claim these from medical aid.

6. What conditions would exclude me
Any condition where you have a risk of loosing conciousness, feinting such as diabetes, epilepsy etc. Heart disorders, cancers, etc. In the case of diabetes I understand that if you have the type that you control with tablets you still could get the medical but if you rely on daily doses of insulin via needle then you are excluded. I suggest you print out the document referred to below and go and see your local GP. They will be able to tell you whether you qualify or not.

Blindness and deafness

Please refer to the following document from CAA for more specific information, especially if you suffer from medical conditions that could be considered a risk factor

Reference: http://www.caa.co.za select Aviation Medicine, Designated Aviation Medical Examiners Guide

[DarkHelmet]

And DON'T take drugs for at least 2 years before you go!

I went for my medical and asked the Doc to subscribe me some Zyban. It is apparantly a mind altering substance and you are not allowed taking it while flying, or flying while taking it for a period of 6 months... either way - I decided to keep on smokin and keep on flyin!

[Morph]

DH, did you have to do blood tests? The only time I have heard of this is if you mention you have a blood disorder or have a history of high cholesterol

[DarkHelmet]

No blood test, just wee test

[Hot Stuff]

Does anyone know of a doctor in the Pta area who is registered to do the tests and will not cost a arm and a leg

[Maverik]

Hi guys I have been very worried about this for a while, basically I have been for a medical before with work to access the ANGLO PLATINUM mines and the thing that seems to be worrying me is my cholesterol will or can I be excluded for this so called high cholestrol?

[Dish]

I was also a bit worried...

The doc that did my flight medical was awesome. Based in Midrand, right across from FAGC, did it on a sunday, and "flew" through the medical...

Urine, eyes, ears, lungs, lung Xrays, height, weight, reflexes, etc etc.... not a bad experience at all....

Dont pfaff mate, it will be fine....

[Learjet]

1. What Medical to you need to do ?
Class 4 Medical

2. How long is the medical valid for?
5 years if under 40 and have no medical conditions
3 years if over 40 and have no medical conditions

After reading this thread I inspected my little red book and noticed that although the date of expiry for my medical is 2011 (as per original submitted to CAA), I see that when CAA issued my licence (GPL) they have listed the Licence Expiry Date as 2009* with "* subject to a relevant valid medical"

So, should I interpret this as:

a) I need to do another medical in 2009...

or

b) My current medical (and thus licence) remains valid through to 2011? :D


Dave

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Does anyone know of a doctor in the Pta area who is registered to do the tests and will not cost a arm and a leg

Nico Grobbelaar. Near Centurion Cricket stadium, easy to get to off N1. Nice guy and prices were less than most. I been going to him for 8 years.

Medical examiner – Dr. Nico Grobbelaar – (012) 667 4870

[RV4ker (RIP)]

So, should I interpret this as:

a) I need to do another medical in 2009...

or

b) My current medical (and thus licence) remains valid through to 2011? :D


Dave

Medical is valid till 2011 and flight test is valid till 2009. Need new flight test or review (I don't know how the eggbeaters license works) of license, (logbook signed by flight instructor), but I suspect new flight test will be reauired with sumary of log submitted to CAA in 2009 and again in 2011, but only medical in 2011.

PS
Reason CAA do this is that they no longer "handle" or are responsible for your medical. They keep a copy, but YOU have to ensure that your medical is current. If your medical expires before your license you do not have a license. If your flight test expires but you have a valid medical you do not have a license. That why there are separate dates for each. Similarly if you have COMM/IF there is a 3rd date.

I have made mine expire on same day to avoid confusion and for ease of use (old timers seems to be setting in FAST) - Been there done it and got the T. My Medical lapsed when CAA changed the above. In past they would not issue license if medical was not on record and current but now it not the case and thus the wording in the license states "* subject to a relevant valid medical"

PS
Just to add some fat to the fire, I think it all changing (again) with new part 62 1/1/2008.

[Learjet]

Thanks RV4ker!

[Maverik]

I was also a bit worried...

The doc that did my flight medical was awesome. Based in Midrand, right across from FAGC, did it on a sunday, and "flew" through the medical...

Urine, eyes, ears, lungs, lung Xrays, height, weight, reflexes, etc etc.... not a bad experience at all....

Dont pfaff mate, it will be fine....

Thanks so much actually keen now hey have you got his/her number so I can book I would like to do my medical before I even start but it is a bit impossible as I start tomorrow but I would like toget it done soon hey:-)

[Fatfrank]

Hi guys I have been very worried about this for a while, basically I have been for a medical before with work to access the ANGLO PLATINUM mines and the thing that seems to be worrying me is my cholesterol will or can I be excluded for this so called high cholestrol?

I have the same problem. You only have to take tablets for it, you will not be grounded. There are many CPLs and ATPLs flying with this. Just manage it.