Initial Class one Medical

[PaulCheesley]

I haven't used my UK ATPL for a few years as I've been flying overseas so I need to do an initial class one medical all over again.

I was horrified to find that there is a 2-3 month wait in the UK as there are currently only two places approved to do them.

So my question is, does anyone know if you are able to do an initial in any EASA country and would it then be valid for the UK?

[SeventhHeaven]

Fairly common question on these forums.

Short answer - Yes, any EASA class 1 is accepted by the UK, as per the EASA regs. Every member state has to accept the others' medical/license.

You also don't need an initial class 1 - You just need to get retested for every test item. If you needed an actual initial, you can only do it in the state that would issue you your license. Semantics, I know, but important!

Edit: I was wrong - It seems that the UK does consider it an initial class 1 again. Sorry for talking out of my *rse.

[PaulCheesley]

Thanks for your reply, I have just had a look again at the CAA website and it states:

(ii) if the medical certificate has expired for more than 5 years, the examination requirements for initial issue shall apply and the
assessment shall be based on the revalidation requirements.

So are you saying that means it doesn't have to actually be an initial medical, only that it must cover ALL items required for and initial. If this is the case it can be done at any EASA medical centre and not just by the 2 designated 'Initial' centres?

[DeltaT]

I am in the exact same situation as you, and find it unbelievable and something doesn't sit right.
I am being told by UK Avmed I have to do the initial medical all over again with them "and it has always been this way". However as I converted my licence from NZ, my initial UK medical was done with a UK cert Doc in NZ. They have no answer when I tell them that.
Paul as far as I know you can do the medical in any EASA state if it were a renewal or where ever you can find a cert EASA doc really, BUT because it is now classed as an Initial issue (albeit all over again) it therefore has to be done in the same issuing country of the licence! arrrrg

I seem to recall some sort of paperwork battle that could be done by getting an Irish licence, and then converting that back to UK had some sort of loop hole in it. I am trying to research if this works in this case.
OR we could just wait for Brexit to happen and then UK doesn't have to comply with all the EASA regs???

You also don't need an initial class 1 - You just need to get retested for every test item.

Seventh, if this is indeed true, can you please supply the reference.

[DeltaT]

EASA Regs (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32011R1178&from=EN)

Official Journal of the European Union
Page L 311/177
MED.A.045 Validity, revalidation and renewal of medical certificates
(c) 2ii
"if the medical certificate has expired for more than 5 years, the examination requirements for initial issue shall apply and the assessment shall be based on the revalidation requirements."

hmm, can we argue out of that?

[DeltaT]

Wording on the UK CAA website (http://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Pilot-licences/Applications/Medical/Revalidate-or-renew-an-EASA-medical-certificate/) would seem to make it clear you do not have to go to them. 'follow the same process'

Renewal
If you do not get your certificate revalidated in the 45 days leading up to its expiry date, you will need to have it renewed.

You can renew a Class 1 medical certificate by taking a renewal examination at an Aeromedical Centre (AeMC) or by appointment with an Aeromedical Examiner (AME), subject to the following conditions:

If your certificate expired more than 2 years before your attempt to renew it, the examiner will need to assess your aero-medical records before carrying out the renewal examination
If your certificate expired more than 5 years before then you will have to follow the same process as for initial issue.

[Pace]

I have just done an EASA initial for the validation requirements of 3 country licenses

I too was horrified at the lead time to getting one done but was very lucky in getting a cancellation

A friend has just applied for an initial and been quoted October
I too looked at getting it done in another EU country.

That is fine but the CAA
have to send all your records to wherever you choose to do it
Ireland was one place mentioned