Aussie Class 1 Medical info....
G'day Cimore,
I'm also based in Melbourne, and did an Initial Class 1 a few months back with Dr Raoul Tunbridge who operates from Peter Bini Flight Training at Moorabbin.
The initial Class 1 can be broken down into the following:
General:
- Height, Weight, Blood Pressure, Health History Questionnaire (ie: Family history), general check of eyes, ears, mouth, and a feel around the abdomen for any irregularities (ie: Hernia).
Specific Tests:
Blood: You will be given a slip to go to a Pathology Clinic to have Blood taken. From that they will test for Glucose tolerance (Diabetes) and Cholestorol level (LDL and HDL). No biggie as long as you're not a raging sugar- swilling diabetic and have a helf- decent diet with some moderate excerise.
Hearing
Just set in a booth with some Earphones on, and click when you hear a sound- they're just checking for any hearing loss across various frequencies. Some DAME's can do this on site, others will send you to a specialist.
Eyesight
A 30- 45min check with the Eye Doc, checking the stuff that you would have been tested for in your Class 2. The colour tests are as simple as discerning numbers made up of dots, against a contrasting background made up of more dots. People with normal colour vision will get this right 100%. If you miss one or two- don't stress. There are other CASA approved tests in place to determine your ability to hold a Class 1 apart from the Ishihara Plates. There are also tests in place to measure the shape of your Lenses/ Corneas etc.
ECG
Simple- just let the Doc hook up 12 Electrodes on your Chest, Arms & Legs and just lie back and relax. This is to determine the health of your Heart and circulatory system. They are also looking at the Electrical conductivity to the Heart muscles. If there are any combinations of risk factors that you present (obesity/ high blood pressure/ family history of Cardiac problems), you may be asked to do a stress ECG Test. Not nearly as nasty as it sounds- just walk at various paces on a Treadmill whilst hooked up for an ECG. They're just wanting to check that your trace doesn't become üntidy" as your getting the Heart rate up.
I'd say the most common things that trip people up are Blood or Cardiac disorders. But this only affects a very small percentage of applicants. As long as you're reasonably healthy, all will be well more than likely.
I can highly recommend Dr. Tunbridge at Moorabbin, as he really goes in to bat for anyone who displays an abnormality- to get you over the line with CASA. I know from experience, as I presented a slight abnormality in my resting ECG trace. But the Doc was brilliant in the way that he dealt with CASA on the issue. I'm now a very happy Class 1 holder without restriction.
My final piece of advise- do some shopping around on price. I highly recommend Ian Gibson at Mitcham Eyecare for the Opthamology tests. Very thourough and friendly- and only $70.00. I contacted another place in Lilydale who wanted $170.00?!?.
To sum up my Costs:
$230 for Dr. Tunbridge (Inc. Hearing and ECG).
$70 for Dr. Ian Gibson- Opthamologist.
$75 for CASA- for ummm....whatever it is they do....
Hope this helps.
And finally.... RELAAAAAX.
Cheers,
Gearup.