PPRuNe Forums - Airservices Australia Psychometric Testing

Pilots face grounding over medical delays

Almost 1000 pilots are facing delays of two months or more to receive the medical certificates they need to fly because of a mammoth backlog within the aviation regulator’s new online medical portal.

About 170 pilots are also within 14 days of having their medical certificates expire — which will *effectively ground them and put them out of work — as the backlog continues to grow and slow down the processing system.

The logjam was created with the introduction of Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s online medical records system, which has been in operation since March 21. The new system was meant to streamline the application process and create a repository of pilot medical records for future use but teething problems with the system has instead created a slowdown that is now affecting hundreds of pilots.

The new system is processing about 1700 medical certificates a month, down from the 2000 a month that the old system was capable of issuing.

The delays mean there is now a backlog of about 900 pilots who are being told to expect waits of two months to receive their certificates. In about 400 cases, some are being told the wait is even longer.

le Pingouin

12th July 2016 03:08

Eric is correct, in the end it all comes down to whether you meet the standard or not. That's all that counts. You at 40 will find it harder than you at 20 as you get slower with age and further from having studied intensely. But you at 40 might find it easier than someone else at 20. It all comes down to the individual - you sink or swim on your merits and won't be cut any slack.

vira	12th July 2016 06:56

APB11,

Give CASA medical a call and speak to Georgie, She is amazing. I personally and a few of my colleagues have used her throughout our complicated processes and her assistance has been invaluable! Ask specifically how long after completion of taking the medicine before you will be eligible for your medical? What clearance documentation will they require?
Preferably get it in writing!!!

With a lot of medicine on the do not take list, you can finish taking it and get your medical a few days later (with the appropriately worded clearance from your doctor). Otherwise, there are some (don't ask me the name... can't remember) that can be a period of 6 months after taking before you are cleared.

As for ASA, I can only go off what I have read. My assumption is that if you are unable to ascertain your medical within the required time and you inform them they "should" delay you for a later course.

Best of luck mate, and if you need some help with CASA medical feel free to PM me, I may not be able to do much but you never know!

APB11

14th July 2016 06:46

Many thanks Vira. I'll take your advice and get in touch with them soon. I'll message you if any more questions crop up, many thanks for your advice so far.

Shibtar

14th July 2016 10:59

Anyone else on En route 124? We have a FB group so PM me and meet your fellow students!

ktmrl

14th July 2016 23:01

Does anyone know if ASA is even considering controllers over 56 in the current international bid that expires 31/07/2016?

renegade154

18th July 2016 06:14

Hi KTMRL. Airservices does not consider age when looking at applicants either for abinitio or experienced recruits. For experienced applicants what is taken into consideration is experience levels and relevance of experience to where controllers are needed.

JC91	25th July 2016 05:23

Anyone on enroute 126? Feel free to Pm me, would love to catch up with anyone prior to our start date.

ktmrl

25th July 2016 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by renegade154 (Post 9443345)

Thanks Renegade154. I think I'll give it a try.

RVL Roll

28th July 2016 22:59

Course start date

Hi guys,

Good luck to those still applying.

I have a course start date of 19 September 2016 in Melbourne for Tower only and then off to Perth Tower.

Anyone else at the academy at that time? PM me and hopefully can meet up over a beer.

Thanks

Know I. Deer

30th July 2016 11:16

Congrats RVL Roll! Great news, all the best for your course.

Spacedork

3rd August 2016 03:58

Applying as experienced

Hi all,

New to the forum, and would like to add to the list of nervous nellies.

Applications closed recently, and I see a lot of you checking your application status. I can't seem to find anywhere to do that. I tried looking where I applied, but my login won't work. Is there a separate link I need to check my status?

Otherwise am I just waiting for the testing?

Thanks,

Spacedork

6th August 2016 03:58

So I'm now able to check my status. Looks like it's under review. How long did you all wait for the testing after the close of the applications?

pineapples

8th August 2016 00:44

Hey everyone I wanted to share my timeline because it varies so much from person to person and it helped me not to lose my mind during the long periods of silence to see what other people have gone through. Good luck to everyone still waiting to hear back!

23/02/16 Application submitted
26/02/16 Invite to online tests
7/03/16 OPQ invite
29/03/16 Phone interview
8/04/16 Assessment centre invite
5/05/16 Assessment centre
10/05/16 Reference check advised
17/05/16 Reference check complete
10/06/16 Verbal offer
13/06/16 Medical commence
22/06/16 Medical submitted to CASA
1/07/16 Written offer
3/08/16 Medical certificate granted
4/10/16 Start Date

Spacedork

8th August 2016 00:52

Thanks pineapples. That's a huge help. The application posting closed on the 31st, so now it's just a waiting game. But it's nice to,have an idea of the overall timings once it gets rolling.

Argon_Ionite

9th August 2016 06:03

Visit Sydney Tower

I am heading to an assessment centre in a month or so and would like to visit an ATC in Sydney beforehand, but when I called ASA they said the general public were not allowed and that I needed to know someone. Can anyone recommend how I can organize a tour/visit?

fletty

11th August 2016 07:13

Hey everyone, just had my phone interview today for grad ATC. Felt like it went alright, it was my first ever phone interview though so don't really have anything to compare it to. Pretty relaxed, asked 2 questions about my interest in the job, and 3 behavioral questions, went for about 15 minutes.

I asked some questions at the end - apparently the October assessment day(s) are being run from Brisbane, and November is looking like Brisbane as well but could be Melbourne. Also looking at a course starting mid to end of next year.

Good luck to anyone else still in the application process!

midnightzulu

12th August 2016 00:11

Psych test - i have had these and think i got flagged for being too honest?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazzy01 (Post 3880788)

I've recently been invited to attend a psychometric testing day in Sydney in a couple of weeks time.

Can anyone who has undergone this day give any insight to what the day involves? Also is there any recommended reading for the day - none is mentioned in the confirmation email.

Thanks

I think i got flagged in the past for being too honest? The navcan test had something about have you broken the law and i said yes because i shoplifted some things when i was a kid and also drank and drove when i was a teeneager.

Duke21

12th August 2016 03:58

Application status?

Hi
I recently applied for the international ATCO vacancies. My application status just switched from "Application under review" to "Application Outcome". I am guessing bad news but I am not sure. Any idea if I should still hope for a positive "outcome"?
Thanks

sunnySA

13th August 2016 10:07

No, you shouldn't expect a positive outcome.

All times are GMT. The time now is 07:38.

Page 173 of 231