Class 1 Medical first issue - why only London?
Hello all.
A question which has puzzled me for some time, which has popped up again because some friends are about to be taking the relevant tests. Why are all Class I medical first issue examinations done only in London? At first I had assumed that the testing would be done at the CAA's headquarters, which might be justifiable on the grounds of initial standardisation, using CAA employee specialists.
Further checking however shows that these tests are carried out by what appear to be perfectly normal aviation medical practices. All look very nice. I have no doubt they are very good, but do the CAA really consider that no practices outside London are of suitable standards?
Class1 renewals can be carried out by suitable qualified doctors all across the country, so why not initial issue? I'd have thought that renewals are the more critical point, since it is then that any changes or deterioration in medical condition is likely to be identifiable - hopefully for early treatment, or other consideration or evaluation for impact.
As an engineer I consider continuing inspection and maintenance of ageing structures a more demanding task that initial design and inspection, on balance. The logic for people should be similar, surely!
Is this 'London centric bias' yet again, or simply convenience for easy inspection and oversight etc? Seems very odd and certainly adds costs and stress for those from outside the big smoke.