UK - Initial CAA Class 1 Medical Delays- Advice Needed

[BlueWings97]

Hey pilots,

Got a question - Back in February i attended my initial class 1 medical at Aeromedical Centre "A", with the aim of starting PPL->ATPL flight training in October. Everything else is in place, just need the medical. There are a few medical history events in my past that i knew would require further investigation but are unlikely to prevent me flying. With that knowledge, i thought 8 months would be enough to get the medical and get all final prep done. I went with Aeromedical Centre "A" as it's, by about 120 miles, closer to me.

Fast forward to today. 4 months have gone by. I am waiting on referrals for assessments with private medical practises, which will generate reports and send them to the aeromedical centre who will then submit a report to the CAA.

I have received 3 emails from them in this time. The last one was almost 2 months ago and it was essentially "we're going to proceed with the referrals". I've sent emails but they have gone unanswered. I'm no longer confident I will be medically certified by the start of flight school. I have even asked if a class 2 would be possible to cover the first year and grant me more time for a class 1. I'm now considering (and have been advised to by other pilots) going to one of the other aeromedical centres to re-start an initial class 1 medical in the hopes it will be quicker.

anyone have any advice?
Many thanks!

[Northesk]

I'm a lurker on these forums but I finally made an account because I'm in a VERY similar situation to you. I did my initial in January '22 (booked Nov '21), had a couple of referrals, still think I will have to have another appointment(s) with a CAA specialist at my own expense. If you need to pursue something with the CAA urgently, then call their switchboard and enquire that way. You may have to do this multiple times as the switchboard don't quite know where to direct people - apparently they're all new according to the last time I called the CAA.

I don't know whether applying for another Initial Class 1 with another AME will help you - this to me sounds like it is not the best way to spend your money, plus this sounds like it will introduce new problems for you later down the line. Perhaps someone on the forums may correct me in saying this and possibly enlighten us both?

The CAA are horrifically slow at the moment, more so than usual according to the ATO I am based at. I wish you the best of luck with your medical outcome and your training.



(Unrelated to your predicament, I made an enquiry about previously accrued flight hours with the CAA back in January. After several chaser emails and phone calls, I got a response at the end of May. UKCAA are just that lousy at the moment with service delivery so sit tight.)

[RPat01]

Hey pilots,

Got a question - Back in February i attended my initial class 1 medical at Aeromedical Centre "A", with the aim of starting PPL->ATPL flight training in October. Everything else is in place, just need the medical. There are a few medical history events in my past that i knew would require further investigation but are unlikely to prevent me flying. With that knowledge, i thought 8 months would be enough to get the medical and get all final prep done. I went with Aeromedical Centre "A" as it's, by about 120 miles, closer to me.

Fast forward to today. 4 months have gone by. I am waiting on referrals for assessments with private medical practises, which will generate reports and send them to the aeromedical centre who will then submit a report to the CAA.

I have received 3 emails from them in this time. The last one was almost 2 months ago and it was essentially "we're going to proceed with the referrals". I've sent emails but they have gone unanswered. I'm no longer confident I will be medically certified by the start of flight school. I have even asked if a class 2 would be possible to cover the first year and grant me more time for a class 1. I'm now considering (and have been advised to by other pilots) going to one of the other aeromedical centres to re-start an initial class 1 medical in the hopes it will be quicker.

anyone have any advice?
Many thanks!

Was this the Aeromedical centre in Birmingham by any chance?

[BlueWings97]

Was this the Aeromedical centre in Birmingham by any chance?
Sadly, yes.

[RPat01]

I’ve been emailing them for ages to try and get a UKCAA and EASA Class 1 initial done with absolutely no joy. Multiple reviews online with similar stories and other a magnitude of other issues.

[BlueWings97]

Hello Pilots,

Another update! It's been 3 months since the last update. Sadly, it has also been 2 months since I last heard from my AME/CAA. I sent off the last batch of requested tests (nothing showing as significant or cause for concern), however, I can see on CELLMA that my AME has only uploaded 1/4 of what was requested by the CAA. At this point I have spent 14 months on this CAA CLASS 1 Medical, with 10 months of waiting for responses (one instance was 6 months). I'm so close to the end and yet I still feel a bit like I'm being taken for a ride... I've gone as far as contacting the government's minister for transport about the situation via my MP and in response I received a copy and paste from the front page of the CAA website explaining what it is and what it does.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

Naturally, as it's April I have lost my place at my chosen flight school. I have also lost out on 2 scholarships due to this medical situation. I'd consider legal action, however I'm unaware of any law firm that would specialise in Aviation.

Any advice with regards to this situation would be immensely valuable.

Fly safe!

[DanielBirdB744]

Hello Pilots,

Another update! It's been 3 months since the last update. Sadly, it has also been 2 months since I last heard from my AME/CAA. I sent off the last batch of requested tests (nothing showing as significant or cause for concern), however, I can see on CELLMA that my AME has only uploaded 1/4 of what was requested by the CAA. At this point I have spent 14 months on this CAA CLASS 1 Medical, with 10 months of waiting for responses (one instance was 6 months). I'm so close to the end and yet I still feel a bit like I'm being taken for a ride... I've gone as far as contacting the government's minister for transport about the situation via my MP and in response I received a copy and paste from the front page of the CAA website explaining what it is and what it does.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

Naturally, as it's April I have lost my place at my chosen flight school. I have also lost out on 2 scholarships due to this medical situation. I'd consider legal action, however I'm unaware of any law firm that would specialise in Aviation.

Any advice with regards to this situation would be immensely valuable.

Fly safe!
It sounds like the hold up with the AMeC uploading your reports, which shouldn't be the case when you've spent over £700 just for the examination and on referral fee! Have you got through to them at all? I would really just keep on at them, day and night. I had a mare getting C1 myself, which ended up costing the earth and then waiting precariously for Aviation House to ultimately certify me!

It might be worth trying the "report a problem with the medical process" link in the medical portal before you get directed to Cellma.

I hope things improve for you. I know the pain of this waiting lark especially when you've done everything to prove you are fit class 1!

[BlueWings97]

I had tried to get through to him, but he rarely responds, if I'm honest. Every time I call I get a "he'll call you back" and I never hear anything more. The last time he spoke, when i asked what the delay was, he directly told me "i just don't think you'll get it"

I'm trying to tread on eggshells to avoid having it thrown back at me, but it's getting to the point, a firmer response may be needed.
I'm dubious about that button on the CAA website as when I have spoken to the CAA about this before, they have said there isn't much to be done as it's not a CAA process, technically it's external. might be worth a shot though.

Thank you. It can't take much longer and, to be honest, my flight school just went into administration so a delay isn't even too much of an issue anymore.