There are two medical centres, doing the initial medicals. They do a very thorough medical and the standards are the same as the JAA. However many folk down here may have done their initial many, many years ago.
They tend to take the JAA examination as a rubber stamp for most of the "cough and drop" type stuff. Then you get sent to the various hospital departments for Chest X-ray, bloods, eye-test, hearing, blood pressure, weight and height. They picked up things on a few guys which weren't a problem for the aviation medical, but needed further investigation for personal health. You need to bring cash (it is refunded by the company later). Cost for a 1st time pass is about 1300QR. If you need extra tests or medication this will double. Nearly everyone had high blood pressure, which I think may be due to the high summer temperatures, or the difference from in the cool aircon inside. All but one of my group passed.
On reflection it was good for those of us mid to later career to get a full mot, chest exam, eyes, blood work. We had some very sad early deaths, heart attacks and strokes in my Loco career.
For those with worries I do know Peter Orton of Stansteds Aviation Medica is QCAA approved & as always very helpful
Last edited by F14; 29th July 2012 at 09:02.