JAA Class 1 Medical at Gatwick

[alberto86]

Hello everybody
my name is Alberto, I'm italian and on november 15 I'll be at the CAA Aeromedical centre for an initial Class 1 medical.
I've received a folder with any kind of explanation from how to get there to what the visit will be like but I still have a couple of doubts so...I hope some of you more experienced pilots,who usually go to Gatwick CAA centre will give me an answer.
A sheet inside the folder says: "come ready to give a urine sample" >> well, my appointment is at 12:45 so how can I avert eating till that time? May I get a sample by myself in the early morning and then bring it to the doctor? I know this might look quite a stupid question but I don't want anything to compromise my visit!
The other question is : I already know that blood tests will consist on a finger prick to check haemoglobin and choloesterol , do you suggest me not to eat anything up to the time of my appointment or is there something I can do so that I won't faint on the way to Gatwidck :-) ? thank you very much in advance!

[Farrell]

Alberto

I would strongly suggest that you eat and drink NORMALLY on the day of your test.

You have to do your urine sample when you are there - otherwise it could be anyone's sample.

There is no need to not eat. Please eat normally - it is a very thorough examination but you should eat.

[alberto86]

Hi Farrell and thanks for your suggestions!
I was just quite affraid that any blood or urine value could have been altered by eating something at breakfast. Maybe I'd better to have a sugar poor one on that morning. You know what, here in Italy Class 1 medical is quite hard, especially the initial (the aeronautics issues certificates) and blood/urine tests are strict, so pilots who undergo their Class 1 or Class 2 renewals
have to bear themselves with empty stomach since the previous evening and still waiting for ...their urine test to be done.
this all happens at 8:00am though

[VC10 Rib22]

alberto,

I do not know why you would choose not to eat - does your form tell you not to? - as I know I certainly didn't change my eating habits when I went for my medical, and as you say you do not want to faint, nor do you want your body to show any signs of stress due to hunger.

RE: urine sample. I am pretty sure you are not allowed to bring a sample with you - who's to say the sample you bring is genuinely yours? - so you are directed into the men's toilet for the urine sample, the end cubicle having a little metal slide panel on the wall, which you open to pass on your sample.

Being new to the kind of toilet with sliding panels, curiosity got the better of me and, whilst in the process of 'filling up', I opened this slide with my free hand. I don't know who got the bigger shock: me or the nurse who was on the other side . No words were exchanged and as I closed the slide back, I thought "I've learnt from this". When I finished, I opened up the slide, passed over my sample and was rewarded with a smile. I'm still unsure whether this was for the sample or the sight.

VC10 Rib22

[alberto86]

thanks buddies, now I feel better about it.
I think you all know about medical importance so I really felt like solving even the smallest doubt in my mind!


Ps: VC10 Rib22, the sliding panels experience must have been damn funny :-p that made me laugh while reading, I really hope the nurse will be that kind with me aswell

[Preston Watson]

Hey Alberto,

I'd eat normally before it as Farrell and and VC10 suggest.

Things I would do are get a good nights sleep before it and don't use your computer or watch TV too much beforehand.

If you are very tired then this can affect your ammonia levels in the urine beforehand, one of my friends had this problem. Focusing in the distance will help you beforehand for your eye test.

You could reduce your fatty type foods as well to cut down your cholesterol level - http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...lowering&meta=

The people there are very friendly and want you to pass, so there is nothing to worry about.

[DrRedHead]

Hey Alberto,

Speaking from experience for the 12:45 appointment I would generally have a normal breakfast (if you count airline food as normal) and when you there ask to pop up to get your lunch there’s plenty available from curry’s to freshly made sandwiches. I arrived quite early 11:50ish so I got my eyes tested then popped up for lunch but I did refrain from going to the toilet after I got to the airport.
Just eat and drink what you would normally (eating porridge a month till your date before hand should reduce your cholesterol) what you would normally.

The Dr

[sicky]

Hey

I was just wondering how long these medicals generally last? I have to book a flight back, and my appointment is 12:45. There's a flight about 5pm, and the next about 7pm or 8pm.

I take it there is a canteen there for food/drinks?

[FlyVMO]

Hi-
just had mine 2 weeks ago. Took 2 hours but mine was an "ICAO extended" as I already hold a license in another state, so that might have shaved a bit off. They tell you to allow 3 hours, and I think thats not far off if they are busy. There is a cafeteria/canteen on the third floor, the reception staff were all very friendly and will direct you where you need to go.
The 5pm flight I think would be pushing it to say the least, after allowing for security etc. Why make the day any more stressful? Book the later flight and bring a book/magazine etc, thats my advice.
Good luck and hope it goes well.
Vmo

[sicky]

Thanks, i do recall 3 hours being mentioned on the phone, and they definately seemed very friendly whilst i made my booking. I did originaly book a different slot, but later rang up to change, so i'll have to check that i have the right date and time as i was told i'd be called back the next day. Maybe it all went through fine so there was no need.

Thanks for the help and advice anyway, i think a copy each of flight/topgear/fhm should keep me entertained whilst i wait!

[sicky]

Bit of a dumb question and i think i know the answer, but there's no dress code for medicals is there?

[Dave Martin]

Nope, they give you a bath-robe to wear from arrival to departure. You could turn up in flip-flops, shorts and vest if you wanted to.

[Oxeagle]

Originally Posted by sicky

Hey

I was just wondering how long these medicals generally last? I have to book a flight back, and my appointment is 12:45. There's a flight about 5pm, and the next about 7pm or 8pm.

I take it there is a canteen there for food/drinks?

Hey Sicky,
I had my class one initial last wednesday. As some of the other guys have stated they tell you it should take around 3 hours, though mine took about an hour and three quarters with 5 other guys going through the process at the same time.

There is a canteen, which is on the third floor. It serves some excellent food; I had a continental breakfast whilst watching aircraft on the approach!

[sicky]

thanks - i've just booked my flights...due in at 11.05 which should be fine but the flight back isn't 'til 21.40! It was £40 cheaper though. I'll be quite happy finding a nice view of the runways though, and watching the planes come and go.

Let's hope all goes well at the medical, pretty confident i won't have any troubles as i had my eyes tested a month or so ago and she said i was well within the boundaries . That was my only real concern.

[captwannabe]

It's great watching the planes fly over the airport bus on your way there! Just make sure you get off at the right stop!

[sicky]

I'm flying directly to Gatwick from Newcastle, so i hope getting off at the right stop isn't going to be a problem!!

[mcgoo]

err sicky he was on about getting off the bus at the right stop!

[sicky]

Sorry i thought he was talking to me, thinking i was getting the train/bus down to Gatwick

[mcgoo]

sicky he is talking to you, he said the airport bus, presumably you will not be walking to your medical from the airport???

[sicky]

haha, you can tell i've just had an afternoon nap can't you! Sorry i'm awake now!