VGS medical

[_Artemis_]

I've got my VGS medical this month, but have got conflicting reports about eyesight requirements for glider pilots from the guys at my local VGS - do your eyes need to be of a certain strength uncorrected by glasses/contacts (and if so, what strength?) or are they only concerned with how good your eyesight is with glasses/contact lenses?

Will still join as ground crew even if I can't fly but would be good to know whether my (really quite bad) eyesight is going to be a major drama. Would very much appreciate any information.

[NightFlit]

I believe the minimum corrected vision for VGS Instructors on selection, is 6/12 corrected and uncorrected vision is 6/36, Colour Perception 3 or Colour Perception 4 (with a restricted medical).

Soft contacts are permitted as long as a reserve pair of glasses is with you.

If you then fall outside these limits you have to see an ophthalmic defense specialist before clearance from the CFMO. I'm not sure if this is also permitted on selection.

Although I am open to correction.

[A Sayers]

Hi.
CAA/JAA Class 2 medical is a higher standard than the gliding medical. The class 1 is higher still.

[NightFlit]

Yes you are right, however the waver still has to be accepted by the Unit, by a statement of health.

Regarding the level of stringency, the Class 1 is less stringent on the visual acuity standards. I'm not completely familiar with the Class 1 Medical procedures, but I gather the overall medical is much higher. However, flying restrictions will still exist with the CP standards, if CP3 isn’t met.

[_Artemis_]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Second line down on the chart it is: that should be ok - phew!

[A Sayers]

Hi NightFlit.
Class 1 visual acuity is more stringent than on a glider medical. If you wish the chapter and verse I will pm it.

[boswell bear]

The bottom line on the chart reads:

Made in China

[scottyhs]

Never knew you needed a medical to operate a lawnmower............. :}

[background]

Scotty,

Maybe you joined a VGS you would be flying the cadets and not making the tea.

[Lyco360]

Gliding medical more stringent with eyesight then JAR Class 1? That surprises me. My initial Class 1 was the longest eye examination I've ever had. Especially compared to the VGS Initial Gliding Instructors medical, where reading the line three up from the bottom was all it entailed...

Maybe those nice Air Force doctors have decided too many promising new pilots were getting through and upped the standard... :E

Lyco

[NightFlit]

The eye assessment is by far more indepth on a Class 1. But regarding the VA requirments, I was under the assumption there was no limit on uncorrected VA for a Class 1, therefore the RAF Medical requirments (not the assessment) is more stringent no?

[A Sayers]

No.

Hm. Must be at least ten characters. I say again. Everything about a class one medical is to a higher standard than a gliding medical For the latter it is only a slight exageration that you need a pulse and not much more.

Nightflit, pm on way

[360BakTrak]

I thought with a civi medical that just meant you needed an RAF medical every other time one was due? If that makes sense?!:}:confused:

[scottyhs]

Background - No thanks, i dont fancy catching a nasty case of waltism! :}

By the way first post in a year! Wow i guess time doesnt change complete to**ers then does it! Oh well, Guess you cant grow up after a certain point can you???

[NightFlit]

If you have CP4 the restriction is on Navigation and Transit Flying.

[A Sayers]

The CFMO has stated that an RAF medical is not required for holders of the CAA/JAA class1.
Check it out, but that really is the policy.

[XL319]

my VGS medical was a chat more or less.....class 1 medical was hours long, and quite intensive....

[highhope]

Hi all,

Just found this thread after searching VGS medical standards; there's very little on the net about it.

I'm a PPL under a class 2 medical at Leeds, I'm hoping to join the Linton Squadron soon and have a meeting with the Sqn Ldr this saturday.

I don't meet the class 1 standards for hearing as my left ear has a hearing loss at one mid range frequency (2000htz, 45dB) - rediculous really as it's never posed a problem and my other hearing (remaining frequencies and right ear) is excellent.

This has never posed a problem I guarantee, never will - due to the beurocratically inflexible approach of the CAA's medical standards (which assumes if one has a hearing loss, then other frequencies must be affected), I'm prevented from a career in the UK.

I'm hoping that this isn't the case with gliding instructing for a VGS - a golden opportunity for me to do what I do best!

Anyone know the exact hearing requirements? Is it a full audiogram?

Thanks for your help

Tom

[TommyOv]

Hi Tom

I had my VGS medical recently and the audiogram seems to be exactly the same as it was when I went to OASC (test each ear on a range of frequencies). The standards to pass are lower, though.

I also have a civvie Class 2 Medical and the RAF doc assured me that the standards for VGS flying are lower than the ones required for this, so if I were you I wouldn't worry at all.

Hope this helps.

[highhope]

Ahh!!

That's music to my deaf ears!

Thanks

[EnigmAviation]

Holders of a CAA Class 1 medical may submit their medical certificate via the Unit / HQAC for onwards transmission and approval to the CFMO, who may approve the waiver of a "Gliding" medical by the Unit's parented SMO, a procedure that must be repeated at each medical interval. Thus it is not an automatic consent.

And, for the avoidance of any doubt, it is not, as some cynics appear to suggest, that "warm and breathing" is the VGS standard. In flying terms Class 1 medical holders - some of whom have either ATPL's or frozen ATPL's do not necessarily easily slide into a VGS Instructor role - a good pilot is not necessarily going to make an excellent instructor, - and for this role, a little more than gunship diplomacy is required - as well as many other personal skills in dealing with young future pilots. Don't forget your own humble beginnings !

:ok:

[blagger]

That's not true ! The policy changed over a year ago and Class 1 medical holders under 60 do not need to do anything with the CFMO. All you need to do is give a photocopy of your Class 1 cert, fill in the one-page medical declaration from TGOs (to say nothing else has happended since your medical)and give both to your VGS OC and he certifies in your logbook.

[A Sayers]

Much as it is out of character for me to defend the CAA. The medical standards you refer to are JAA not CAA. Years ago when the CAA set the rules the docs were allowed a degree of 'interpretation' provided it was safe. This is no longer the case, hence your problems. The medical department will bend over backwards to get you/keep you flying. They (CAA medics) are really nice people and very competant at what they do. Even some/many of CAA FCL are ok souls and they can be incredibly pedantic at times.


Re Class 1 Medicals.
Blagger has it right. A photo copy of your class1 and a declaration is all that is required.

[PhDKrisPPL]

Had my initial gliding medical at St Athan last month. Everything was ok, except my blood pressure was extremely high (160/>90). Medical examiner told me that it's not necessarily a deal breaker, so I should go to my GP and get 24hr BP monitoring and return when I can prove that my BP is normal. That got me really depressed for a couple of weeks. I imagined that my recreational flying was over only a few months after gaining my PPL.

Anyway, thought I have nothing to lose now, so I'm booked in for my 24hr BP next Monday. But I'm worried that I will be anxious and agitated (raising my BP) during the 24 hr period.

I have two BP monitors at home, so I've been doing my own measurements when I'm relaxed. Measurements fluctuate quite a lot during the day - typically ~130-140/<80, while in the evening and when I've just woken up readings are ~120-130/<80. Eg. reading this morning was 119/69.

My BP at the GP surgery was 160/100!

Does anyone here know what the upper limits are for passing an initial gliding medical to become a CGI?

BTW, I have a class II medical (issued Jul 2011). Don't know how I passed, what with my BP going through the roof when I'm anywhere near a clinical environment.

Any tips on lowering BP during 24hr BP test? I'm thinking of sleeping a lot as this lowers my BP. But I can't sleep for the entire 24 hrs. Any ideas?