Medicals

[BristolScout]

My AME tells me that the administration of medicals by the CAA is due to change profoundly at the end of this month. I've been scouring the usual CAA sites for enlightenment but without success. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Genghis the Engineer]

They've basically launched something that looks very like a British version of the FAA's MedXPress.

There's a good explanation with links to the CAA forms here: Cellma ? Centreline Aviation Medical Services

G

[Whopity]

Try here: https://www.caa.co.uk/medical/

Applicable to all that hold a Medical Certificate for a Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, LAPL or wish to make a medical Self-Declaration, due to renew or will be applying for a medical certificate after 28 March 2021.

Anyone holding a medical certificate or wishing to make a medical self-declaration will need an online CAA Customer Portal Account to access the new medical service.

We will send out individual emails and SMS reminder messages two to three months before the medical certificate expiry date. The email will include instructions on how to create a CAA portal account (if you do not already have one) and apply for the medical service.

• Without a valid CAA portal account there could be delays issuing your next medical certificate.
• Portal Registration will take a minimum of 10 days to process.

To allow us to prioritise medicals that are due for renewal you should apply for a CAA Customer Portal account and medical service if your medical certificate expires (or you have a medical examination planned) in the next two months.

Spoke to a friend who had just tried it and it took 4 days for them to verify his address despite having held a licence for 20 years.

[BristolScout]

Thanks, both. My AME is confident that the system will crash on Day 1. Nice to know some things don't change.

[Whopity]

I don't see how adding a process will make it more efficient. They then say you can access your records on line, but all you are really interested in is the expiry date and thats on the certificate.

[MrAverage]

And if the portal (which I always thought was the entrance to a tunnel) is anything like those for the rebate scheme (which people are still having trouble with) or the online exams mess, lord help us.

We have a modular student who has now been in five times to sit nav online. Every single attempt has resulted in either server or log in errors or failures. He's become our guinea pig. Requiring access to three separate web addresses (two open on the same screen to access the actual exam) just multiplies the chance of hiccups. We still haven't seen the actual exam that was paid for a month ago.................................

[GoingAroundAgain]

I registered for a CAA portal account - sent required id in form. No acknowledgement that account application has been accepted but about a week later I can log in and 'Medical' is one of the services I can apparently use. Go into 'Medical' and I am looking to renew an LAPL medical. Clear as mud. There appears to be more than one LAPL form and other options for self declaration. Anyhow, I have completed the form (several crashes) and now I have no idea what happens next. It is sitting there 'to be approved' along with a couple of other failed forms 'to be approved'.

There is no information on the process from this point and I have read all their documentation. I can print of the content for information purposes, but no hint how I get it authorised by my Doctor. Do they approve the form and then give me a link to give to my GP? Or after they have eyeballed it a certificate to print off to take to my GP to sign?

This whole medical thing is now just a nightmare of complexity. I have an NPPL(A) as well as the LAPL, but as far as I know that still won't work for EASA certified aircraft - though mine is on a permanent EASA PtF which is a bit different. I can't even find out if I could just flip back to the NPPL(A) and self certify.

Damn.Should have made a note about stress levels on my application........

[topoverhaul]

The GP performed LAPL is still available but the Pilot Medical Declaration provides the same ability for those who hold a licence. The PMD now covers all aircraft including Part 21 (previously EASA) and those previously with an EASA Permit. If you are unable to complete the PMD you should now arrange an appointment with an AME who will approve your application and following an examination assess you for Certificate issue.

[GoingAroundAgain]

OK, thanks. I was confused by the PMD thing as I thought it only applied to the NPPL. I have now read it up more carefully and it looks as though I can indeed skip the medical and do a PMD on an LAPL - with limits on use and UK flying only. The LAPL licence is looking pretty much defunct going forward. I presume it will morph into a new version of the NPPL at some point.

[BristolScout]

My reading is that if you only want to fly in GB in an aircraft of 2000kg or less with a maximum of 3 pax you're ok on a PMD. I understood that this was originally a Covid-related exemption expiring at the end of March 2021 but it seems to have morphed, sensibly, into permanence. I'm happy to be put right by anybody who's better read than me in the topic - I've gone for a lie-down in a dark room after trying to make sense of it.

[Whopity]

I understood that this was originally a Covid-related exemption expiring at the end of March 2021

Far from it, it came out in 2016 and was the replacement for the HGV style medical required for the NPPL. Initially it was confined to non EASA licences, but has now expanded to cover all UK issued licences. Additionally, there are two different weight bands, 5700kgs and 2000kgs depending on your medical status. details here: https://www.caa.co.uk/General-Aviati...rivate-pilots/

[BristolScout]

Understood. I was paraphrasing for brevity. The exemption was indeed to cover EASA types.