Pilot Medicals

Without any consultation and no relevant supporting data, the CAA Chief Medical officer (CMO) has indicated to AMEs that anyone over 60 and taking blood pressure medication, even though they have been on approved medication with a stable BP for some time, should take a stress ECG test and have a clear cardiology report before issue or renewal of a medical certificate. It is also understood that the CMO has set a 10% risk of a disabling event within a year as a trigger for further investigation.

AOPA opposes this blanket requirement unless substantiated with significant evidence of there being an issue. it is AOPA's position that a Class 2 Medical should not be any more stringent than ICAO standards..

AOPA believes that the additional cost of extended tests will drive many more Pilots to making a PMD, using the lower DVLA standards, and therefore taking themselves out of any regime that requires a medical assessment. This is self-defeating for the CMO's policy.  AOPA is meeting with the CMO in early June 2025.

Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD)

AOPA supports the option for Pilots to make a PMD where they meet the medical conditions set and any restrictions on licence privileges. For the current CAA Review of the PMD Consultation, we support the current system, but with consideration of the following variations:

• Currently the only student pilots who may fly solo using a PMD are NPPL students flying non-Part 21 aircraft if they meet the ‘up to 5700kg’ criteria. We strongly recommend that this should be extended to all NPPL / LAPL students flying non-Part 21 or Part 21 aircraft who meet the ‘up to 2000kg’ criteria.
• There needs to be a note on the PMD declaration form stating that if the applicant has been declared unfit for a Part-MED medical then the CAA may require further information from the applicant before the declaration is accepted. We understand that this has been happening, so it shoud be made clear to anyone making a declaration.
  

We do not believe it to be fair that there is no independent process to appeal medical decisions made by the CAA and will press for a solution for this.