PPL medicals?

[mat777]

Hi everyone,

Currently, I'm close to solo-ing in a glider so need to get a BGA medical. However, it is my intention in the future to progress to a PPL (especially as you can apparently put gliding hours towards to the hour count). A such, I will look to do a PPL medical straight away to cover all bases.

I'm bewildered by the choice of PPL's these days though, especially as they all seem to have different medical standards. NPPL, UK PPL, EASA PPL, LAPL...

So, if In the future I wished to go on a jaunt over to the continent, possibly in a multi-engined kite, what licence would I be needing to work towards? And resultantly, what medical standards do I need to meet, where can I get the medical done, and how much is it likely to cost?


Thanks,

Matt

[anonymous-user]

Looking towards the future you'll probably need an EASA PPL medical at some point.

There's always lots of info on the CAA website but it's never very clear. Don't try communicating with them directly though, it takes months to get anything done. All the CAA consists of is a glass/metal building near Gatwick with a canteen and 50 employees doing licence conversions. Downstairs there will be 10 pilots sitting around looking bored, waiting for their same day service licence to be done.

Anything to do with the CAA or EASA costs at least £100 and takes six to eight weeks.

[CharlieCrocodile]

A Class 2 medical is quite straightforward:

Vision - can you read the chart
Hearing - can you hear a voice behind you
Previous medical history - speaks for itself
Sinuses - can you breath through each nostril separately
Reflexes - hits your knee
Glasses - if you wear glasses you must carry a spare set, or if you wear contacts you must carry a spare pair of glases with you. This will be endorsed on your medical certificate
Weight - speaks for itself
ECG - Required if you're over 40

Cost me £155, you can get them cheaper so look around.

Edit - The Class 2 medical covers you for the EASA PPL, if you fail it you can try get the medical for the NPPL which can be obtained from your local GP. The Class 2 medical must be performed by a CAA authorised GP. To be honest, your flight school should be telling you all this.

Edited by CharlieCrocodile on Monday 18th March 14:33

[Fat Albert]

Yep, as been said a Class 2 CAA will be spot on, I pay £120 for mine from Frank in Daventry (there are lots of variation, so it pays to shop around!)

[mat777]

Hi guys, thanks for the replies.

I have looked into Class 2 medicals in Cheshire, but what seems to be the going rate? The doctor nearest to me wants £225 for a class 2 initial, which is twice what i had heard was the normal charge?

[CharlieCrocodile]

That's expensive - call around - http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=49&amp...

[mat777]

Thanks guys. Just booked mine for £130 with Grasmere medical services, so fingers crossed now!

[EdBarrett]

mat777 said:

Thanks guys. Just booked mine for £130 with Grasmere medical services, so fingers crossed now!

It's a bit too late for me to tell you this now, but if you are already in a flying club, usually there will be a couple of affiliated quacks that will offer members medicals at a discount.

Edited by EdBarrett on Thursday 4th April 10:55

[mat777]

Well I've just been for my EASA Class 2 initial, and passed with flying colours (pun intended!)

The AME said he could see no reason why I wouldnt sail through a Class 1 either, so that keeps the CPL/ATPL door open for me as a career choice