5 February 2026
The CAA has launched a consultation on changes the regulator is proposing to make to the Pilot Medical Declaration. The consultation is live now and continues until 9 March 2026.
“The CAA have recently reviewed the pilot licence privileges associated with making a pilot medical declaration (PMD), particularly those associated with the flight instructor or class rating instructor certificate when exercised on the basis of having made a PMD,” says the consultation note.
The document containing the proposed changes is CAP 3218 PMD Consultation which can be downloaded here.
It’s not an easy document to wade through. This is what we understand so far:
FI or CRI certificate holders with a PMD may provide instruction towards:
The CAA says, “The proposed privileges take account of the risk of medical incapacitation and compliance with the ICAO requirement that a PPL (or higher licence) should be accompanied by a medical certificate of the appropriate class.
“For example, an applicant for a PPL requires a class 2 medical certificate, so we believe it appropriate that an FI providing instruction towards the PPL should also hold such a medical certificate.”
Removal of weight exemption
The CAA is also proposing to introduce a distinction between the medical requirements when flying aircraft up to 2,000 kg MTOM and those between 2,001 kg and 5,700 kg, reflecting the effect of the ORS4 No. 1629 exemption, which has been in effect now for four years.
Also, the CAA says it is still its longer-term aim to remove the taking of medication for psychiatric illness as a condition that automatically disqualifies making a PMD.
“However this would remain in place until the full conclusions of the PMD review published in November 2024 have been implemented.”
There are no changes in relation to the PMD proposed to the privileges of the FI (microlight), FI (gyroplanes) or FI (TMG).
