Otterman

Just received some interesting news from my union. At a meeting of the JAA at the end of October, 2005. Held in Hoofddorp in the Netherlands, a large package of new measure was agreed to relating to our medical requirements. They all imply a loosing up of many of the stiff regulations that are contained in JAR-FCL 3. Some of the changes are:

1) Pilot above age 40 seeking a renewal of their class 1 medical will only have to be medically tested every 12 months instead of the previous 6 months.
2) The eyesight requirements will become a lot less rigid. No exact details mentioned. But I know at my company alone there are about a 150 guys who are very relieved.
3) Colour-blind tests will no longer be included in your medical renewal, only done during initial medical.
4) The EEG requirement during initial medicals is dropped.
5) Only pilots above age 50 will require an ECG every 12 months. This used to be 40 and every 6 months.
6) A protocol will be set up allowing insulin depended pilots with Type II diabetes to retain their Class I medical.
7) Any pilots not meeting the current requirements, but meeting the new ones will be granted a waiver.
8) And this waiver will be grandfathered when the switch happens from JAA to EASA in 2007.

There are other changes, but these are the highlights I could find. It will take about 12 months before the new rules that have been agreed to will be put into law. But I think this is a great day for many of us. As a plus 40 fellow, not having to go to the doctor every six months is something to look forward to.
Greetings O.

Otterman

Never been a sticky before, but I am a bit surprised at the lack of response. This is a major shift in the way we are medically tested. It will mean that a good number of us will be able to make it to the end of our careers without the devastation that a loss of our medical certificate can bring. Anyway I hope there are people out there who appreciate the news.
Regards O.

Irishwingz

Otterman

you are correct, it is a good day in aviation when there is this type of news. I am personally very interested in the eyesight rules and was aware the JAA medical sub committee had a meeting in October (18th), I wonder is this the same meeting you referred to?

Anyway, if you can get your paws on the eyesight changes I'l either be going on a binge of champagne and women or keeping up the prayers

Thanks for the post.

flash8

thanks for that info
extremely interesting and like you surprised that people don't seem interested in what is a MAJOR shift... this benefits us all....

I have both Transport Canada and FAA licences and would fail a JAR Class 1 Medical... eyesight.... this would be a real boost for me!

-5.5 uncorrected each eye btw

Hawk

Hi Otterman. Yes, I'm surprised at the lack of response. Some very important and significant changes on the way evidently. They wont be ratified for 12 months of course, nevertheless, I'll leave it as a "sticky" for now so the thread has as much prominence as possible.

mutt

Turning 40 in 12 months, so i really like the part about yearly medicals.....

Mutt

Malta_Flyer

got my ppl last yr (Aged 18) but am not able to get class 1 because of my -5.5 correction. Finally i might be able to continue with my studies!

Irishwingz

Malta Flyer

You MAY be able to get a Class 1 issued as a deviation. You are only just outside the initial (-5) but well inside renewal (-8). If I was you I'd investigate it.

If your local authorities wont help then contact the UK CAA aeromedical section and ask to speak to the optometrist

PM me if you like

Good luck

Malta_Flyer

thanks mate. I am suspecting that the diopter limits were removed and if so I would be able to get it without a prob!! My ultimate aim is to become a flight instructor so if they adopt the US system of class 1, 2, and 3 it would also be fine by me!

funfly

What's the situation on class II medicals?
Mart
G-BYZD

Old King Coal

Actually (as I'm mid 40's) I quite like the 6 monthly check-up, i.e. where there's a chance that anything wrong with me will get picked up all the sooner and therein give me a chance to do something about it.

It's just as my old mum always says "You've got nothing if you haven't got your health !".

FAA fit / JAR unfit

Good for many people. Finally the colour vision test nightmare will be removed for all those that passes an alternate test as colour safe but are not very if next time they will, as many times it depends on where you´ve done it..

Great news indeed!! Wish it relly comes into effect soon..

FlapsOne

Have to agree with Old King.

Nice to have the 'tick' every 6 months and pick up potential problems as early as possible.

Malta_Flyer

any idea where i can obtain the official outcome of the meeting?

Irishwingz

Hopefully someone will tell us SOON!!!

You would expect the news to be here

http://www.jaa.nl/licensing/licensing.html

or here

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...49&pagetype=87

sparks-flying

You mentioned the EEG being dropped.
It actually got dropped over a year ago, just before my initial class 1.

Shame , it sounded quite interesting!!!

SF

Malta_Flyer

cant wait for them to publish details! If they did drop the dioper limits it will be my best christmas present ever!!!!!

Otterman

Sparks-flying.
What I have given as news here comes directly from my union. This union was founded in 1929, and has served its constituents very well. It is also a founding member of IFALPA. Their information is as solid as gold. I translated their mailing to me and in it they mentioned that the initial EEG was being dropped. Your country might have been ahead in this, I don’t know about mine. I have been active in this business a lot longer than you, and my initial medical was many moons ago.

To go and put a pathetic line in there about the news being a shame speaks very poorly for you. If you feel you have information beyond the fact you did not require an EEG when you started down the road in aviation, please provide it, otherwise do some growing up. It will not serve you well in this business to jump to these types of conclusions based on limited knowledge and information.

O.

Ps. I also mentioned in my initial post that it will take around 12 months for the new requirements to be put into law, but that the outline of what these new laws will contain is what was agreed upon in Hoofddorp. The exact details for each category will have to wait for that day.

Malta_Flyer

'2) The eyesight requirements will become a lot less rigid. No exact details mentioned. But I know at my company alone there are about a 150 guys who are very relieved.'

would anyone be able to elaborate on that??

thanks

Sans Anoraque

Is that true though?
I'm surprised that blood tests are not done for every exam. As I understand it, incidences of minor heart attacks and the early onset of cancer for example can be evidenced by enzymes in the blood?