How do aviation medical examinations for flight crews work?

🕗 6 minutes | August 8, 2024 | Text Mateusz Łapuć

Aviation medical examinations are an essential part of the job for pilots, cabin crew, and air traffic controllers. These exams are strictly regulated and required to perform specific professional duties. But what exactly are aviation medical exams? What is a medical certificate, and what types of aviation medical tests exist? You’ll find answers to these and other questions in this article!

Initial aviation medical exams are comprehensive medical assessments designed to evaluate the health and psychophysical fitness of individuals working in aviation. These tests help determine whether a candidate is fit to perform duties in the aviation industry.

Candidates undergo aviation medical exams at an Aviation Medical Center, where they specify the type of medical certificate required for their job or training. There are different classes of medical exams depending on the profession:

• Class 1 – for commercial and airline pilots
• Class 2 – for private pilots
• Class 3 – for air traffic controllers
• LAPL – for recreational pilots
• Medical report for cabin crew
• Qualification certificate medical exams – for drone operators, parachutists, and other aviation professionals

Who needs it?

• Commercial pilots (CPL)
• Airline pilots (ATPL)
• Helicopter, airship, and gyrocopter pilots

These exams ensure that pilots are physically and mentally fit to perform their duties. They are the most rigorous medical evaluations in civil aviation.

Who needs it?

• Private pilots (PPL)
• Balloon pilots
• Glider pilots

These tests are less strict than Class 1 exams, but still verify that recreational pilots can safely operate aircraft.

Who needs it?

• Air traffic controllers
• Air traffic controller trainees

Although controllers don’t operate aircraft directly, their health and cognitive abilities are crucial for managing air traffic safely.

The Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL) exam is intended for recreational pilots of:

• Small airplanes
• Helicopters
• Gliders
• Balloons

It is less demanding than Class 1 and 2 exams but ensures safe operations for non-commercial flying.

Required for:

• Drone operators
• Hang glider and paraglider pilots
• Skydivers
• Flight dispatchers
• Aircraft maintenance mechanics
• Flight navigators
• Flight information service officers

These exams ensure that professionals working in aviation-related roles meet the required medical standards.

Cabin crew members undergo a medical examination to verify that they are physically and mentally fit to work onboard aircraft.

Standard tests include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Vision and hearing exams
• General health check-up (height, weight, blood pressure, posture)

Unlike pilots, cabin crew members do not require a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate but must meet health criteria outlined for their role.

There are three main categories of aviation medical exams:

1. Initial medical examination

• Comprehensive and most detailed
• Conducted for first-time applicants
• Includes several specialist doctor visits

How long does it take?
Several hours, depending on the class of examination.

2. Periodic medical examination

• Required regularly to renew a medical certificate
• Validity depends on:
  • Age
  • Health status
  • Medical class of certification

Periodic exams are quicker than initial exams and involve fewer medical specialists.

3. Special medical examination

• Conducted after unexpected health-related events (e.g., accident, illness)
• Determines if the individual can safely return to duty

After completing the required medical examinations, candidates receive an aviation medical certificate from an authorized aviation medical examiner.

This certificate includes:

• Candidate’s personal details
• Medical class obtained
• Certificate validity
• Any medical limitations imposed

Let’s take a closer look at the specific exams that airline pilots and flight attendants must undergo.

Pilots operating commercial and airline flights must pass the most comprehensive aviation medical examination.

What tests are included?

• Vision tests – Pilots can wear corrective lenses as long as their vision meets specific criteria.
• ENT (ear, nose, throat) exam – Ensures pilots can handle pressure changes and communicate clearly.
• EKG (electrocardiogram) – Monitors heart function.
• Spirometry – Tests lung function.
• Audiometry – Measures hearing ability.
• Chest X-ray
• Blood and urine tests – Identify potential medical issues.
• Internal medicine exam
• Psychological evaluation
• Final review by an aviation medical examiner

Pilots must pass all these tests to obtain a valid Class 1 medical certificate, which is mandatory for commercial flying.

Cabin crew members undergo less extensive testing compared to pilots.

Required tests include:

• Blood and urine tests
• Vision and hearing exams
• General health check-up (height, weight, blood pressure)

For a complete list of requirements, candidates should contact an Aviation Medical Center.

In Poland, multiple Aviation Medical Centers offer these tests. The Civil Aviation Authority website provides a list of certified facilities.

How much does it cost?

• Costs vary by location and type of exam
• Detailed price lists are available on each centre’s website