CAAC Medical

[pipers07]

Hello,

Does anyone happen to know what are the blood pressure limits on the CAAC medical exam?

Also, is it allowed to take medication for this or is it not? What about Cholesterol medication?

Best regards,

Pipers07

[CEA330Driver]

I think the BP limit is 140/90. For the stress ECG it can be hirer but they will not want to see any abnormalities in how fast your hear rate reduces. As far as I know they will allow you to take BP medication to reduce it. If you have high BP and require medication to control it, then I would caution you against working for the Chinese unless this is the last stage of your career.

[pipers07]

Thanks for the info!

Best regards

[Viking101]

I am really getting the picture about the medicals over there...

Why oh why does it have to be so darn complicated?!?!?!

[tanikagal]

According to an article in AVIATION WEEK, CAAC has dropped some reasons for rejecting candidates for airliner cockpits. The CAAC has relaxed its tough physical requirements for entry into pilot training, potentially improving the availability of personnel who are always in short supply in China.

[gulliBell]

Personnel in short supply in China. Seriously?

The medical to get my work permit in China was tougher than any pilot medical I've had to do.

[jetjockey696]

slightly change... not much.. I think it affects the locals more than expats.

https://www.aerotime.aero/en/civil/19914-caac-lowers-health-requirements-for-pilots

[safelife]

BP limit is 140/85, BMI limit is 32.

[Centaurus]

I remember talking to some Chinese cadets undergoing a 737 type rating in NZ many years ago. I asked them how they got into flying in the first place.
They said they were all attending University in China for various disciplines (optometry, civil engineering, medicine, etc) when in walked the military and all students were tested for flight crew medicals. Those that passed were streamed into either military pilot flying or airline pilot.
One candidate failed the medical because he had buck teeth:D

[jetjockey696]

Thats some real good news. BP 140/85 and BMI limit 32.

[Belowclouds]

They are well aware of the white coat syndrome. Mine was about 160/100 - they set a monitor on me. The device confirmed I am ok , the doctor made a stress test, which I passed. Failed a sim and written though, but the doctors are not at all weird. 53yo, FYI.

[WYOMINGPILOT]

The entire system is all about RISK and accountability. If a Doctor in China passes you he takes risk if there is an issue, so they test heavily and will not sign off as they get disciplined and even punished if you subsequently have a medical issue inflight. It is not a normal class 1 it is more like an Astronaut class 1. One Chinese Captain had an inflight situation where he passed out and the Copilot landed the aircraft safely. The Doc who passed his medical was fired as it was determined he had major blocks in arteries. They now make all pilots age 40 to undergo a complete upper body MRI scan especially the neck area for blocked arteries and also an ultrasonic test where they grind and grind on your neck with the ultrasound stick looking for plaque build-up. If you have blood pressure issues you will do 24 hour BP monitors, If EKG issues a 24 hour holter monitor and treadmill stress test, if significant then they do the radioactive dye test. They search diligently for kidney stones and gall bladder sludge. Many pilots fail for the significant blood and urine tests which cover about 30 different parameters, common failures are sugar limits or BMI and cholesterol issues. Do yourself a favor and have a significant medical done before you come to China looking at all issues. If you have ever had an accident be prepared for endless paperwork to CYA before the Docs here will sign off on it. In the end most guys do pass but it can take 6 months to 1 year before they are satisfied with your results and willing to take Risk on signing you off. The bureaucracy of the CAAC now is dreadfully slow as they have to process license verifications coming directly from your CAA to the CAAC. The background checks for the airport Crew Pass also take 6 months or more to get. Getting a job from start to finish on average is 18 months now in China. There is a reason they pay big money here, in the end I'm not sure its worth it with countless long duty days, horrific ATC delays and the dreaded Chinese QAR (FOQA) system. Punish, Punish, Punish and then Punish some more. Public humiliation and embarrassment are the Norm here if you have any issues. If you want to have a try Brace, Brace, Brace.