First CLASS MEDICAL QUSTIONS
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did mine a year ago, about £370 then. The initial one has to be done at Gatwick; thereafter at a local AME authorised to issue Class 1s. These will be about £100.
However, when you book your medical (and the details are all on the CAA website), they offer you a morning or afternoon. One thing to be aware of (which they didn't tell me) is that there is a possibility you MAY need a particular type of eye test which would mean that your vision will be affected and that you shouldn't drive afterwards. So make sure you have an escape route planned if you do have this test and are affected.
Cheers
Whirls
However, when you book your medical (and the details are all on the CAA website), they offer you a morning or afternoon. One thing to be aware of (which they didn't tell me) is that there is a possibility you MAY need a particular type of eye test which would mean that your vision will be affected and that you shouldn't drive afterwards. So make sure you have an escape route planned if you do have this test and are affected.
Cheers
Whirls
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hi
what type of eye test do they use on you, does it blind you and does it affect u permarnatly,
can you give me the contact of the caa and the Medical centre at gatwick.
and finally so iam looking to spend around 400£ on my first class medical right
can you give me the contact of the caa and the Medical centre at gatwick.
and finally so iam looking to spend around 400£ on my first class medical right
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi, i rang up the caa the other day to book my 1st class medical and the lady told me that she needed a payment of £302 which she claimed was the full cost. Where are u gunna be doing your training etc???
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NO of course the eye test doesn't permanently blind you!! If it did, we'd have no pilots!
I don't know what that particular test involved as, in the end, they decided I didn't need it but some people do. They recommend that you can arrange to be driven there or picked up if you do need it doing. The problem is, is that you book the date (which you cannot change without losing money) and THEN tell you, you may need someone to drive you.
If you want their contacts, then go to the CAA website and then the safety section - I'm not doing it for you!
Cheers
Whirls
I don't know what that particular test involved as, in the end, they decided I didn't need it but some people do. They recommend that you can arrange to be driven there or picked up if you do need it doing. The problem is, is that you book the date (which you cannot change without losing money) and THEN tell you, you may need someone to drive you.
If you want their contacts, then go to the CAA website and then the safety section - I'm not doing it for you!
Cheers
Whirls
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: London
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
australia
i would maybe wanna do my training in australia or spain, but not england, i wanna see another country
i just check on the caa website
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med...s_Jan-2006.pdf
if they charge that much, then why are people getting there First class medical for inly 370£
i just check on the caa website
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med...s_Jan-2006.pdf
if they charge that much, then why are people getting there First class medical for inly 370£
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Because not all the tests are required; it depends on your age and the results of other tests as to whether you need more.
Give them a ring in the morning; they'll answer all your questions.
Cheers
Whirls
Give them a ring in the morning; they'll answer all your questions.
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a test where they push a probe onto your eye to measure the pressure inside( glacoma ???) . Before that they put a few drops of local into it.
You can't see jack **** due to your eye watering like a goodun for about 30-60mins afterwards. And you have to be really carefull you don't rub your eye because you won't feel any damage your doing. And I really wouldn't suggest you do anything to do with avoiding action including walking into bollards for at least 2-3 hours afterwards. I got the test because the old RAF coffin dodger bloke that was covering didn't know how to use the puffer and the old fart did both eyes even though the first was well within limits. I have since had the puffer thing and it isn't in the same league as the poke you in the eye with a steel pin contraption.
But..... They normaly use the pulse of air onto your eye instead which is marginally less traumatic but still not very pleasant. It doesn't have the after effects.
I might add the ladies and gents of the Medical Deptment are completely different to the rest of that building. They are very helpful, very understanding and very friendly. It is not a place to be scared of, if they can find a way for you to meet the required standard they will pass you. I have heard of people with white coat allergy being sat with a mag for an hour with an automatic BP machine on their arm in a waiting room due to high BP with a doctor taking it.
MJ
You can't see jack **** due to your eye watering like a goodun for about 30-60mins afterwards. And you have to be really carefull you don't rub your eye because you won't feel any damage your doing. And I really wouldn't suggest you do anything to do with avoiding action including walking into bollards for at least 2-3 hours afterwards. I got the test because the old RAF coffin dodger bloke that was covering didn't know how to use the puffer and the old fart did both eyes even though the first was well within limits. I have since had the puffer thing and it isn't in the same league as the poke you in the eye with a steel pin contraption.
But..... They normaly use the pulse of air onto your eye instead which is marginally less traumatic but still not very pleasant. It doesn't have the after effects.
I might add the ladies and gents of the Medical Deptment are completely different to the rest of that building. They are very helpful, very understanding and very friendly. It is not a place to be scared of, if they can find a way for you to meet the required standard they will pass you. I have heard of people with white coat allergy being sat with a mag for an hour with an automatic BP machine on their arm in a waiting room due to high BP with a doctor taking it.
MJ
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But..... They normaly use the pulse of air onto your eye instead which is marginally less traumatic but still not very pleasant. It doesn't have the after effects.
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In my own little world
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Whirlygig
What do mean, no after effects? The first time I had the "puff-of-air" test, I fell off the stool!
It was more like shoving the high pressure air line for your car tyres into your eye.One thing I have wondered though, do you ladies get the equivalent of the "and now if your could drop your trousers and underwear Mr. Leezyjet"
I wrote a report on here the day after I had mine about what they do to you - try running a search on Class One medical and see if it comes up.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In my own little world
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For those after class 1 info :-
I had my class one the day before the flyer show so I am pretty well placed to tell you what they do.
It's pretty straight forward and not much to worry about.
You arrive at the CAA building and get issued with ID pass then report to Medical Section just inside the main entrance.
They then direct you into a cubical and you strip off above waist level and put on a white dressing gown then sit and wait in the waiting area.
You then get called and get your height and weight checked and they put a little cup through a hole in a wall into the toilets. You then enter the toliet and produce your urine sample and place it back in the hole in the wall - I went first so there was no other urine cups there, but all the guys who went after said that the part filled cups were still in the wall even when the last chap went in (6 of us). One guy mentioned to them that this wasn't a very secure way of doing it as the samples could be tampered with, but they said they are only checking for sugar levels and glucose and not for drugs so it wasn't a major concern to them.
You then return to the waiting area. They then begin calling out names, and each person goes off to have a different part of the remaining tests done so they can get you all done quickly, and you rotate around between each test.
I had my eyesight test first. It was only slightly different from a standard opticians eye test. They have you reading lines from a chart with each eye then both eyes, looking at a red line and telling them where the other red line crosses it (which I couldn't grasp at first as I was looking at the wrong lines oops!!!). You then look at the books for colour blindness, then he checks the back of your eyes. You then sit at a machine that blows a puff of air into your eye - this is quite strange as you reaction is to pull back but you have to try not to - this is the worst test they do.
After the eye test is over it's back to the waiting area.
Next I was called to do the hearing test. You sit in a sound proofed booth and they play different frequencies into the headphones and you indicate that you can hear them.
After this was a blood test. They prick your finger and take a couple of drops of blood and test them for cholesterol etc. (My cholesterol had been at 6+ 2 weeks before but I had been drinking those Flora pro-active things and drastically reduced my saturated fat intake during those 2 weeks and I was suprised to see it was down to 4 which is a normal level).
I then went to another room where they hook you upto a machine that checks your heart rate at rest, and then you do a lung capacity test which you get a couple of chances at. Basically fill your lungs up with as much air as you possibly can then blow it all out at a constant rate for as long as you possibly can. Then you repeat the test but this time you have to blow out as much air as possible as fast as possible. There is a bit of a knack to this that's why you get a couple of attempts.
Was then back to the waiting area.
The other guys had chest x-rays but I didn't require this as I already had one from my Class 2 in South Africa back in March so I got the cost of that and the attached report refunded. They are just checking though that all your internal organs are the right size and you have the right number of each and they are in the right places.
I was the last to go see the Doctor - the other guys had been discussing what SHE did to them, and when I was called I walked off giggling like a school kid, whilst the others were winking and laughing.
You go into a room and strip off to your underwear and lie on a bed. She takes your blood pressure and checks your breathing with a stethascope, then prods around at your abdomen. Then she poilitely asks you to pull down your underwear whilst she puts on a rubber glove. She then gives your nuts a quick feel, then you pull your underwear back up and stand up. She then checks your range of movement of your back, neck and arms. You then have a general chat about your medical history etc. then sign the forms they sent you.
If you take medication, take it with you so they can see check out whether it would be a problem, as most people don't tend to take it and have to get it checked out later via the CAA website.
One guy turned up in a full suit and shirt and tie. This is not necessary - it's not an interview after all and YOU are paying THEM. I just wore my jeans and a pair of trainers, and a sweatshirt - basically smart casual.
I would suggest wearing shoes that you can run in as the guy in the suit had to run around the car park for 10 minutes as he had trouble with the lung test, and you might also have to run for the heart rate test too.
They will tell you whether you have passed or not on the day, so no need to sit around at home worrying. the certificate should take 7-10 days to come through.
This link explaines what they are looking for generally :-
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med...ass1_Medex.pdf
This link is for the visual requirements :-
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MED...isual_Stds.pdf
They are a very nice bunch of people and really make you feel at ease. It really is nothing to worry about."
I had my class one the day before the flyer show so I am pretty well placed to tell you what they do.
It's pretty straight forward and not much to worry about.
You arrive at the CAA building and get issued with ID pass then report to Medical Section just inside the main entrance.
They then direct you into a cubical and you strip off above waist level and put on a white dressing gown then sit and wait in the waiting area.
You then get called and get your height and weight checked and they put a little cup through a hole in a wall into the toilets. You then enter the toliet and produce your urine sample and place it back in the hole in the wall - I went first so there was no other urine cups there, but all the guys who went after said that the part filled cups were still in the wall even when the last chap went in (6 of us). One guy mentioned to them that this wasn't a very secure way of doing it as the samples could be tampered with, but they said they are only checking for sugar levels and glucose and not for drugs so it wasn't a major concern to them.
You then return to the waiting area. They then begin calling out names, and each person goes off to have a different part of the remaining tests done so they can get you all done quickly, and you rotate around between each test.
I had my eyesight test first. It was only slightly different from a standard opticians eye test. They have you reading lines from a chart with each eye then both eyes, looking at a red line and telling them where the other red line crosses it (which I couldn't grasp at first as I was looking at the wrong lines oops!!!). You then look at the books for colour blindness, then he checks the back of your eyes. You then sit at a machine that blows a puff of air into your eye - this is quite strange as you reaction is to pull back but you have to try not to - this is the worst test they do.
After the eye test is over it's back to the waiting area.
Next I was called to do the hearing test. You sit in a sound proofed booth and they play different frequencies into the headphones and you indicate that you can hear them.
After this was a blood test. They prick your finger and take a couple of drops of blood and test them for cholesterol etc. (My cholesterol had been at 6+ 2 weeks before but I had been drinking those Flora pro-active things and drastically reduced my saturated fat intake during those 2 weeks and I was suprised to see it was down to 4 which is a normal level).
I then went to another room where they hook you upto a machine that checks your heart rate at rest, and then you do a lung capacity test which you get a couple of chances at. Basically fill your lungs up with as much air as you possibly can then blow it all out at a constant rate for as long as you possibly can. Then you repeat the test but this time you have to blow out as much air as possible as fast as possible. There is a bit of a knack to this that's why you get a couple of attempts.
Was then back to the waiting area.
The other guys had chest x-rays but I didn't require this as I already had one from my Class 2 in South Africa back in March so I got the cost of that and the attached report refunded. They are just checking though that all your internal organs are the right size and you have the right number of each and they are in the right places.
I was the last to go see the Doctor - the other guys had been discussing what SHE did to them, and when I was called I walked off giggling like a school kid, whilst the others were winking and laughing.
You go into a room and strip off to your underwear and lie on a bed. She takes your blood pressure and checks your breathing with a stethascope, then prods around at your abdomen. Then she poilitely asks you to pull down your underwear whilst she puts on a rubber glove. She then gives your nuts a quick feel, then you pull your underwear back up and stand up. She then checks your range of movement of your back, neck and arms. You then have a general chat about your medical history etc. then sign the forms they sent you.
If you take medication, take it with you so they can see check out whether it would be a problem, as most people don't tend to take it and have to get it checked out later via the CAA website.
One guy turned up in a full suit and shirt and tie. This is not necessary - it's not an interview after all and YOU are paying THEM. I just wore my jeans and a pair of trainers, and a sweatshirt - basically smart casual.
I would suggest wearing shoes that you can run in as the guy in the suit had to run around the car park for 10 minutes as he had trouble with the lung test, and you might also have to run for the heart rate test too.
They will tell you whether you have passed or not on the day, so no need to sit around at home worrying. the certificate should take 7-10 days to come through.
This link explaines what they are looking for generally :-
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_Med...ass1_Medex.pdf
This link is for the visual requirements :-
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MED...isual_Stds.pdf
They are a very nice bunch of people and really make you feel at ease. It really is nothing to worry about."
"I just wore my jeans and a pair of trainers, and a sweatshirt - basically smart casual."
Smart casual?
Currently, despite job applicants having all their qualifications - some even have type ratings - airline recruiters reckon that around 50% of fATPL holders are unemployable. Why? It's because they are simply not the sort of people the airlines wish to have sitting in their cockpits. Many don't even get as far as being called forward for interview, because their applications are almost unintelligible....... Writing in lazy yoof-speak 'txt msg' slanguage rather than proper English is a habit which anyone aspiring to an airline career should break as soon as possible.
"anyone no how much the CAA is charging for a first Class MEDICAL, i heard is the first step in wanting to fly a jet plane
THANK U"
If that is an example of your normal standards of English grammar and spelling, I would suggest that you take some remedial English lessons. Not every airline accepts applications on-line or typed on a PC... Pen and paper will feature at some stage.
The only way to have reasonable assurance that the airlines would really want you is to consider some form of aptitude assessment before parting with all that money. Although even that is no guarantee.
Smart casual?
Currently, despite job applicants having all their qualifications - some even have type ratings - airline recruiters reckon that around 50% of fATPL holders are unemployable. Why? It's because they are simply not the sort of people the airlines wish to have sitting in their cockpits. Many don't even get as far as being called forward for interview, because their applications are almost unintelligible....... Writing in lazy yoof-speak 'txt msg' slanguage rather than proper English is a habit which anyone aspiring to an airline career should break as soon as possible.
"anyone no how much the CAA is charging for a first Class MEDICAL, i heard is the first step in wanting to fly a jet plane
THANK U"
If that is an example of your normal standards of English grammar and spelling, I would suggest that you take some remedial English lessons. Not every airline accepts applications on-line or typed on a PC... Pen and paper will feature at some stage.
The only way to have reasonable assurance that the airlines would really want you is to consider some form of aptitude assessment before parting with all that money. Although even that is no guarantee.
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One thing I have wondered though, do you ladies get the equivalent of the "and now if your could drop your trousers and underwear Mr. Leezyjet"
I did have the chest x-ray (but I'm an old fart) and they told me I had passed subject to its results. So you may not know there and then but they were very quick in issuing the certificate.
Cheers
Whirls
PS - Hamil000, is English your first language? If so, then I'm inclined to agrees with BEags
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Midlands
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm early 40's, did my Class 1 last month down at Gatwick, paid £302 for the privilege, and was told by the Doctor (after I'd asked) that I'd passed ok. If you don't ask, you don't get. . . . .
Certificate turned up at home about 3 days later.
HW
Certificate turned up at home about 3 days later.
HW
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: AUH
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Certificate turned up at home about 3 days later.[
waterpau
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They can as you sign a form permitting it but they don't need to unless they feel there's a reason. I don't believe they contact your GP as a matter of course.
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls