9 May 2016
Medical requirements for UK private pilots flying non-EASA aircraft – ie, those in Annex 11 – are to become much simpler later this year. The requirement will be to meet the same standards as DVLA Group 1 Ordinary Driving Licence.
Annex II aircraft are:
Existing medical options (for example a UK declaration with GP counter signature) will remain available. The same options will also be available for private balloon pilots.
To take advantage of the change, pilots will need to complete a form on the CAA website to declare that they meet the DVLA medical standard. Pilots under 70 will need to do this once while pilots over 70 must confirm their declaration every three years.
The changes are planned to come into effect in late summer 2016 when a new version of the UK Air Navigation Order legislation will be published and which will contain these changes and other significant amendments for general aviation.
The changes do not apply to pilots with commercial licences or those displaying at airshows who will still need to be approved as fit to fly by a specialist aviation medical examiner.
Currently, UK PPL holders are able to fly EASA aircraft using the privileges of a LAPL. However, this changes in 2018. Private pilots with an EASA PPL wishing to fly EASA aircraft – most certified aircraft – are not affected. They will still require a Class II medical by an AME. However, the CAA is hoping this will change in the future.
“We aim to influence EASA in considering reviewing the medical requirements for EASA licence holders flying EASA aircraft,” said the CAA in its consultation document.
“It is therefore important for us to, where possible, work with the GA organisations and individual private pilots to gather evidence to provide a safety case to enable us to influence EASA in considering reviewing the medical requirements for EASA licence holders.”
The consultation response document can be seen at www.caa.co.uk/cap1397.
