Aviation Medical

[john ball]

What is going on ? I just phoned up about my UK/PPL aviation Medical and whereas before I paid about £110 without ECG and about £180 with, now I am being told it is £252. Surely this is excessive and a rise that is more than inflation ? Is it worth changing my medical for one of the lesser versions done by an ordinary doctor -- what impact will that have on my Flying ?

[Camargue]

I think I paid £140 in April for one on London - no ECG - so sounds a lot!

[TheOddOne]

Is it worth changing my medical for one of the lesser versions done by an ordinary doctor -- what impact will that have on my Flying ?

It may be worth looking at Irv Lee's excellent web site
Irv Lee - UK Pilot Mentoring, Aviation Seminars, Artcles, Consultancy CAA/JAA/SA Approved Flying Instruction (http://www.higherplane.co.uk)
to see if it's worth your while changing to a different licence. You may lose some privileges. Any change will result in a fee payable, but you should quickly get that back in reduced medical costs.

TOO

[Curlytips]

There was an "open letter to an AME" published in the May edition of Pilot magazine quoting the same price increase and complaining bitterly. The practitioner wasn't named, but how the letter was phrased (mentioning the receptionists by name) leads me to believe that it is where I normally go, very close to Gatwick. I'll certainly be checking current prices before I book an appointment in November!

The particular practice specialises in ATPL renewals as they are so close to Gatwick, so I'm guessing that as the CAA no longer offer the service, they have jacked up their pricing. But the idea of having to pay £5 per week to keep my PPL medical is abhorrent!

Maybe John Ball could confirm if RH6 7DQ is his AME postcode?

[Jan Olieslagers]

I really pity you UK pilots. My renewals have cost 98,00 € for several years now, including the cardiogram.

[Jetblu]

I heard about this revised and hiked up medical fee discussion last week.
Four pilots flew out to Ostend for their EASA medicals from UK. The cost/aircraft/fuel and medical there was still a lot cheaper than the medicals here.

[tmmorris]

Just had my class 2 in Oxfordshire for £100. If interested PM me - though Google says it's a three hour round trip from Purley :(

[Sir Niall Dementia]

I go to Doc Cranston at Harpenden every six months for my Class 1, I'm on 6 monthly ECG's due to my advancing years (53) and he charges
220 for the lot. I don't begrudge it because over the years I've seen how much crap the AME's put up with when they're going on mandatory courses at their own expense and now having to put up with the EASA audit system.

I'd hate to change AME. I have a lot of trust in mine, and over the years he has built up a good record and picture of me should I ever have a problem.

[Dougie_diesel]

For comparison my Class 2 cost me £180 last month (no ECG).

My flying school had advised I went to one of their suggested AMEs as the one I had chosen was of the more expensive variety (however he was local, and I was willing to pay a premium for the convenience at the time).

D

[BEagle]

Perhaps it's because the CAA intends to change the medical requirement for UK private pilot licence (not JAR-FCL or Part-FCL PPLs) and national private pilot licence holders to be to meet the same standard as that required to hold a DVLA Group 1 Ordinary Driving Licence (ODL)?

Less income for AMEs from old-style PPL holders (who currently require a Class 2 - apart from those exercising ORS4 No. 995 privileges with NPPL Medical Declarations), so the nut-squeezers have raised their prices for those who do require medicals to compensate for the reduced income?

[Radgirl]

BEagle you credit doctors with far more cunning and financial astuteness than they deserve. It is IMHO rubbish as demonstrated by the significant variation in prices listed in this thread. Costs have risen dramatically, especially with respect to insurance which is now higher than for surgeons. I am not an AME and would not dream of becoming one. Unless you are operating a conveyor belt factory system it simply isnt worth it. And that is the rub, as I see few newbies and more and more retiring....

[znww5]

In Luton - £150 for a Class 2 with an ECG a couple of weeks ago. I've used the same AME for 10 years now and I would be very reluctant to change.

[squidie]

Wow they’ve gone up! Think my last one was in 2012 where I don’t believe I paid over £100 for my Class 2 renewal.

[tmmorris]

I'm glad you confirmed that BEagle, my AME was convinced the change was for everyone not just UK PPLs. I tried to explain the wording of the CAA announcement didn't include me... So I guess I'll see him again in 2 years.

At least he isn't on the make - ex RAF, and flies on and off though hasn't got his PPL back yet.

[thing]

Mine has been costing me £100 a year for the class 2. I have the ECG every two years. He used to charge £80 for a non ECG year and £120 for an ECG year but he just charges the straight £100 now whether it's an ECG year or not. Mind you, come Sep I might never need another Class 2 medical. Hurrah.

[john ball]

I have now booked a Medical with Doctor Glanfield in Beckenham. First appointment available is 15th July at 7.30am. £160 including ECG. Far better than AME at Horley £252. Apparently there are far fewer Doctors who can do aviation medicals as the CAA have reduced the amounts thus all very booked up. Unfortunately, a couple of weekends where I cannot fly, but that is my fault for leaving it so late.

[Bravo Mike]

I thought I read that the relaxing of the medical requirements to DVLA Class 1 will also be extended to EASA PPLs flying non EASA aircraft in the UK. Can anyone (? Beagle) confirm this? It will be extremely useful if true.

Found it!

In Comment response document: UK Private Pilot Licence and National Private Pilot Licence medical requirements
CAP 1397





Extension to EASA PPL holders flying non-EASA aircraft in the UK
In light of the consultation feedback, we will extend this proposal to EASA PPL holders flying non-EASA aircraft in the UK but the main focus of this consultation is on the privileges of UK licence holders.



Does anyone know any more about this?
BM