Fit to fly

To obtain the medical certificate one has to visit a CASA doctor, a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) and be subjected to a medical examination. The examination is to a higher standard for the class 1 (commercial) medical than the class 2 (private). Both are rigorous examinations.

For anyone contemplating becoming a commercial pilot they should do the class 1 medical as the first and on-going medical standard.

There is no point in doing a class 2 medical and then, after having spent a lot of money on flight lessons, find out that they cannot pass the class 1 medical standard. It does happen.

In order to hold an aviation medical certificate one must be a reasonably fit person and maintain that fitness for the duration that the holder wishes to keep flying. Regardless of whether the holder is a private or commercial pilot it can pay to do a bit of exercise and keep one’s weight down. It is to be noted that you do not see too many overweight private or commercial pilots. For commercial pilots it can be well worth setting up a fitness program, a program that could be as simple as having a swim several times a week, doing a regular extended walk or riding a bike. Food and drink consumption can be negatives in a pilot’s quest to remain fit. Not eating to excess and having a sensible balanced diet and avoiding junk food should be considerations. Likewise not drinking to excess also helps. Indeed with the current CASA drug and alcohol testing underway a pilot, particularly a commercial pilot, cannot afford to drink to excess during a working week. Recreational drugs are a no-no. Period. Movie actors playing pilots may get involved in punch-ups on screen but for a pilot to suffer a cranial injury the DAME will take a very serious interest in what happened and what effect it had on the pilot candidate.

Physical injuries to the body are something that can also end a pilots flying career if they affect his or her ability to fly an aircraft.
Eyesight and hearing as well as the heart functioning properly are considerations for passing the CASA medical examination. It is interesting to read the ATSB website and note the number of accident report on pilots who have suffered a medical problem in flight in recent years. Some are hard to prove conclusively but where there is smoke there is fire. This is not to suggest that pilot incapacitation events are happening more regularly but with the increasing age of pilots at large it is a possibility. Another possibility is that post-event examination of pilots is better than it was in previous years. This could also explain some accidents in years gone by for which there was no explanation. And it is not always older people who suffer heart related problems. This writer was recently told of a newly minted commercial pilot who suffered a heart arrest but was brought back to life. That pilot was aged less than 25.

With a medical certificate renewal coming up it can be wise to plan ahead.

Have a note in a diary or the front of your log book as to what date the current medical expires. If at all possible book in with the DAME a good number of weeks ahead. Some of the questions you will be asked are your total flight time and flight time in the last six months. You will also be asked who your regular doctor and dentist are, by name and contact details. Take written details of all four items with you as well as your licence and current medical certificate to the examination. Your ARN is on the licence. Paste the business card of your doctor and dentist in the back of your log book as a ready reference. You will need photo ID to prove who you are if you are a stranger to the DAME. If you are a commercial pilot working in a remote area you must plan well ahead to ensure that you have both booked the medical examination and have adequate time available if the DAME wants you to have further tests. Contact the DAME’s office a few days or even weeks ahead to ensure that the booking has not been moved can be good planning.

In summary keep fit and look after yourself if you wish to keep flying.

Remember, no medical, no fly.

Contact Dave by email at: [email protected]