NZFF

What consists of an Aviation Medical.
What do they test?
Do you apply for separate medicals for class (e.g. Class 2 medical or Class one) or can you pass any class in the one medical.
I want to know this since I'm now planning my future.

Class 2 is all you require for a PPL. It consists of filling out a very long and convoluted form, vital signs (eyes, heart, blood pressure, basic body functions, checking out old injuries etc), ECG (resting only) an audiogram (seperate) a blood test (seperate) Its a fairly straight foward process which can be completed in about 45 mins for the basic stuff but you have to organise the hearing test and the blood test yourself. I think mine cost about $250 cant really remember though. Its a lot of money for a little piece of laminated paper! Also, if you go for a class 1 straight out then that covers you for a PPL. I think the class 1 costs about $500 total though. A CPL might be able to confirm this.

My class two was a while ago now but was pretty much as ChopperNut explained....the only difference is that mine was all done at the same time...blood test and hearing test as well I think....

Prepare to have 'the cough test'....old doctor dude touching your nuts...great

The tests for Class 2 and Class 1 are different but of course if you go all out and get a class 1 it covers the class 2 requirements. I only got class 2 as ive been taking my time doing my PPL although i do intend to go on and do CPL later

Haha, your lucky mate, my doc left the giggleberrys alone!

When I got mine, I also had to go to different places in town to get extra tests done, like the audiogram, the spirometry test and another eyesight test, and then send those results away myself. I spose this depends on how equipped the medical examiner is.

I would advise getting the contact details for the DAME (designated aviation medical examiners) in your area (have a look on the CAA website) and ask them about what is involved and the likely costs etc.

Go straight to the source!

FYI, all this information (what is involved etc) is available on the CAA website

The place I went to did all the tests at the same place, I just called up the day before and booked in. Went in, filled out what seemed like 10 pages of cr@p. Then had to pee in a cup, they took some blood, got a poke in the guts, eye test, hearing test, spirometry (bloody hard!) and ECG

I got the same treatment as chopper nut, the doc didn't need to see my giggleberries... but I only got a class 2.

It cost me $212 from Hills Rd medical centre in chch

well I'm gonna try and get a CPL so I will do the Class 1.
What about migraines?
I last had one about 4 months ago but that was the old teenager chemical imbalance. Does this matter?

If in doubt, let them know....could well be normal but it is up to you to maintain the required medical standard and advise them of any problems which may cause you to stop meeting that standard....much like a WOF for a car.

If you intend to go onto CPL you could get a Class 1 straight away but my reasoning is that there is little reason to do this if you are going to spend a while getting to PPL level....its just a waste of money and you may as well wait until you need a Class 1
The only benefit is the knowledge that you are indeed fit to fly at a commercial level.

Remember also that Class 1 medicals have shorter currency periods so you will need to re-new it more often...again, this is overkill if you are just doing PPL flying for a while.

true.
I may ask an instructor that I have about the old migraines.
I won't be doing the medical till early - middle next year.

Kelburn wrote:

QUOTE(Kelburn @ Sep 19 2007, 04:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well I'm gonna try and get a CPL so I will do the Class 1.
What about migraines?
I last had one about 4 months ago but that was the old teenager chemical imbalance. Does this matter?

Yea a class 1 only lasts for a year so if you are not going to be flying for hire or reward as a commercial pilot then I would think about it carefully. When I did my PPL I only got a class 2 and then before I started my CPL training (like a year after I got my PPL) I got a class 1.

Now Migraines are not a good thing,- at all. I know a guy who just lost his medica (and job) due migraines and is now out of flying all togeather. If I were you I would flick a medical examiner an email (pref not the one you're going to do your medical with) or even the feds medical department and find out the whole jist of it. Good luck

Kelburn wrote:

QUOTE(Kelburn @ Sep 14 2007, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

true.
I may ask an instructor that I have about the old migraines.
I won't be doing the medical till early - middle next year.

How bad were they? Did you get them often?

lol I just remembered, when I was doing the hearing test part there was fly in the room buzzing around... that made it pretty difficult

Let them know everything, afterall if you don't tell them something and they give you a medical and something happens whilst flying you can be held accountable for not saying anything.

Also if you've have/had Mental Illness then it's a bit of a grey area as to whether or not you get your medical, it's simply a case by case basis. I was unlucky and wasn't able to get a medical for that reason only, everything else was fine. I have to wait 5 yrs and be symptom free before I can be re-assessed for an aviation medical.

Well I don't have appear to have a mental disorder or anything.
With the Migraines, I tended to have them when I woke up in the morning. The headache would last up to two hours at the most and I may even vomit. After the headache goes I can do what I normally can do except when I shake my head, it hurts. The most dangerous time I had a migraine was through a school test. And even though my head hurt slightly and I felt like horrible for an hour or so, I still got good marks.
So I don't feel Migraines really affected my performance.

Doesnt matter wether YOU feel they affect your performance, its up to the doc to decide. In addition, everything has to be signed off by the director.

I've always assumes that my migraines would rule me out, because of the visual disturbances. I normally see flashing lights for half an hour, and I certainly can't drive. My migraines are normally triggered by a combination of sunlight and stress, both quite possible when landing...

I doubt very much with what you have described that you would even get a Class 2 medical. If you cant see or vision is disrupted then you can't fly!

Hey....

If it is your first aviation medical it dosn't matter if some people think it is a waste of money getting a class 1 straight away.... u need to make sure that u can pass a class 1 before u go and spend alot of money on flying..

NZ06AR

if you even mention the Migraine word then have another career option ready and waiting because you will not be working in aviation.
fullstop!! end of story.
I made that mistake and it took two years of the most intensive medical testing and applications and appeals before it was reclassified as not migraines. if it had been migraines I would have not got any further.

My Flying dreams are hanging by a thread at the moment because of a drunken disorderly fall that ended in me having a seizure and being carted off to hospital so my chances are "ducked" so to speak till Neurology hopefully give me the all clear bl00dy lucky I have Photography to fall back on should my Flying Dreams be blown out of the skies.

SQ350