Do I need a medical?
 

Hi everyone,

Considering transferring college course to one in Aviation Operations. One question though before I go down the route to eventually become a flight dispatcher or work in airside operations...

Is there a medical involved?

The reason why I ask is because i'm Epileptic, my condition is stable and I am not affected by flashing lights. Last seizure was in May '09.

Thank you to anyone who can help!

As operations jobs do not require licences I don't believe that there is an official medical requirement. However, it would be wise to check with potential employers before you make the big decision as they may well have their own medical requirements for staff..

Thank you for the reply HD, will make a few enquiries

For many dispatch jobs and other airside jobs you will need to obtain an airside driving permit, which involves having a medical. Hope that helps

You'll need a medical for your airside driving licence (in the UK at least) but this is very basic, to say the least. As long as your not as blind as a bat and have some sort of hearing you will be ok. :cool:

Driving
 

What about colour blindness...they do a test for that.

As per ICAO a medical level three is require for flight dispatchers or as per IOSA requirement biochemical exams

Thank you for all of your replies. Whilst you all fill me with confidence,
would it be possible for someone to point me in the direction for the actual medical standards?

Google came up with nothing and you have to pay to view ICAO medical requirements-Annex 1?

A big thank you to anyone who can help further

From previous replies, it seems that aircrew medical standards will not affect you. Although you may have to pay to see the ICAO document, the UK CAA (JAR compliant) one is available gratis at JAR Class 1 and 2 medicals | Medical | Safety Regulation

Do you hold a UK driving licence? If yes, then contact with potential employers in your intended field would be a worthwhile step.

Good luck!

Oops! Just noticed your age, so I suppose you do not yet have a driving licence. See Medical information for relevant guidance. At this stage, if anything remains unclear, see your GP to discuss it.

I don't think there is any sort of set out medical requirements for dispatch. Afterall, it's just like any other job on the ramp.

The only requirements I had to meet (which was to get my airside driving licence) was:

• Eyesight
• Colour blindness
• Hearing
• Movement (being able to bend over etc)

If you can get a normal UK driving licence then you'll be fine :ok:

Dom,

Just to clarify the Dispatch side of things - in the UK the term "Dispatcher" refers to what elsewhere is known as a Turnaround Coordinator, Coordinator, Ramp Duty Manager, and probably a few other terms.

// In other parts of the world (most others it seems) Dispatcher means Aircraft or Flight Dispatcher and can be a licensed position. I've worked in two charter airlines where we had licensed dispatchers (One in the US, and one in the Middle East).

The Flight Dispatcher is responsible for the flight planning, performance, and weather analysis for the flight, and usually flight following as well.

However, even where this is a licensed position, I've never known a medical to be part of that requirement. A company may require a company medical, but the license itself (to the best of my knowledge, and I have been responsible for those staff) does not require a medical examination.

Hope this helps a little
Brgds