Class 1 medical

[CaptainMonaghan]

Hello,
I have my initial class 1 medical coming up in August. I have been smoking for the last year and a half, smoking 5-6 cigarettes a day. I have recently quit due to the upcoming medical. Just wondering is there any cause for concern or should I be okay?
Replies much appreciated

[RedBullGaveMeWings]

It's all ok. You can even put that you are a non-smoker. If you declare you are a smoker you just have to go the breath test more often.
There's an instructor at my place who smokes 2 packets of cigarettes a day...

[Drussjnr]

They Will test your lung capacity and lung strength, If you want to make sure thats good maybe start doing aerobic exercise, Should they Say it's lower than average and you put non-smoker then say you used to smoke.

[cavortingcheetah]

https://www.caa.co.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=4294975950

Questions on tobacco smoking refer. ( Box 29)
The Declaration refers.
Common sense dictates the truth.
If you want to chase the matter up further then research the CAA medical site to see how long you can fly after a diagnosis of lung cancer or bladder cancer. The fact that you've smoked for a little while probably won't bother them at all.

[capricorn744]

I have a question too regarding my Class1 medical test: I am 69, and since I turned 60, my 6 month tests at the local AeMC, approved by the local NAA (Southern Europe country), were the same as those I did before that age. When I did my last medical, I was asked by that organization for the first time, to produce by the next visit, an ECG unders stress (which is absolutely right by the present regulations) carried out, privately, at an esternal center, national (with extremely long waiting lists) or in a faster private one. That would result in loss of time (and its costs) and extra money: instead of paying a "political" tarif, I would be charged by a "market" price, on top of the "normale fare" they already apply...in the mean time, waiting for the "external" test, my medical has been put on hold. I am considering to sue that "approved" AeMC to the local NAA, "to copy" EASA, for this behaviour, which I consider illegal and discriminating.The "rumour" behind this "policy" seems that when initially they started with the "new procedure" (doing that test in-house) somebody nearly died, so the idea was to stay away from those risks in the future and "outsorce" the ECG under stress.
Any suggestion on for this case? Thank you for any input.

[cavortingcheetah]

My experience with extra tests required by a CAA for the issuance of a Class 1 has always been that I've had to pay for the tests as required although I've not had to pay the CAA for any extra work expended by them in approving the results.
When it comes to stress ECGs, my experience has aways been that a CAA or an AME might administer such a test. However, since a heart attack is quite a possibility for an older person when doing a stress ECG, I don't mind at all if the test is administered with a cardiologist present. This may be from where your CAA is coming.
This is just conjecture based on my personal experiences as a Class 1 holding pilot. I hope it helps.

[gingernut]

5-6 cigs for 18 months is unlikely to cause any issues.

If if it does, then there is likely to be an alternative underlying cause.

[capricorn744]

Thank you, Cavortingcheetah, for your replay.
I don't complain about doing the test, as it's a requirement for the "over 60s" to renew the Class1 medical and also a good prevention tool (getting alive away from it :rolleyes:) to discover undetected problems with a normal ECG.
The issue I voice is regarding the CAA approval of the AeMC to conduct all these test (including those for old pilots) lined up to the international standards.
I went through the CAA "approval" document of the AeMC and it states clearly that the "minimum equipment" for the cardiology tests include the ECG under stress, but they don't want to administer in-house and send people to any external center.
Of course, now I'll have to go external, but I'm going to report this issue to the CAA, copy EASA.
Thank you.

[cavortingcheetah]

capricorn744
Thank you for the response. I hope it all comes right for you.

Here is the UK CAA request information sheet. You will notice that there is no mention of the CAA medical section doing the test. The obligation is on the candidate to find a cardiologist to undertake the test for him.
https://www.caa.co.uk/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=4294974453

[capricorn744]

Thank you again, Cavortingcheetah.
Maybe I was "spoiled" when I first did my Class1 renewal in Singapore just when I turned 60 and the new implemented ICAO rule required a stress ECG once a year, as I was administered that test "in-house". There I was confirmed too that I should have done that again after 12 months (beyond the other routine 6month "normal" check). Few months later, I left the company (not for this "issue" :)) and when I started flying again on european airlines, nobody ever talked about during the Class 1 medical checks.
It just changed some months ago, and without any medical reason, I was asked, for the next 6 month visit, that test done outside that AeMC. The thing that confuses me is that, as I mentioned earlier, the local AeMC, approved by the NAA, should have, as minimum equipment, the stress ECG machine together with appropriate personnel able to administer the test in safety. So, that's why I wonder why not "in-house"?
Thank you for the UK CAA link in this topic, it brings me out of confusion.
Anyway, the date for tha "external" test will be on 20th this month...if I survive, I'll left you know...:8
Bye and thank you for now.