Class 1 medical validity time?

[RyanRs]

Hi all,
I hope to start training toward my ATPL next year once i have completed my Physics course. Obviously i need to get a class 1 medical before i do anything else, and what i need to know is; how long is the class 1 valid for once passed?

The reason i would like to know is because i would like to get it out of the way as soon as possible, mainly for pieve of mind, but whereas i wont be starting any training for another year yet, its going to be a waste of money if its only valid for a year? (hope that makes sense!)

So, How long is the medical valid, until it requires renewal? and should i worry about this now, or leave it nearer to the time that i start training? Also, i am a regular gym goer, but i only train in the weights department. I am fairly unfit in the cardio area, but i can incorporate some fitness training into my workout should i find a motivative reason to do so. Would being unfit go against getting my Class 1 medical?

Thanks for your help

Ryan

[RJC]

The CAA has all this on their website, a handy document which gives you your answer can be found at...

Revalidation and Renewal of JAR Medical Certificates | Medical | Safety Regulation

There is an information sheet download link at the top of the page, if you want a copy of the dates.

Hope this helps.

[RyanRs]

Ok, thanks for that link. unless im reading it incorrectly, its basically valid for 12months. Thats a shame as i would have liked to get it out of the way in the next month or two, but i guess ill just have to wait.

I see quite a few people get nervous about the medical, would you say this is just because of people reading into it far too much, therefore expecting the worst? or is the medical in general quite gruelling and hard to pass?

I do have two concerns, 1. regarding my hearing -I used to do some Dj'ing and was around loud music quite often, however this stopped about a year and a half ago. I don't have tinnitus but i know my hearing is not perfect..Also, i used to have a quite rare kidney illness, from the age of 2~19, im 26 now and am technically no longer a sufferer of the illness. There is no long term side effects or any disabilities as a result of the illness , so therefore i hope it should not cause any problems? Should i even declare this? -i would imagine they look at my medical files anyway?

[flightychick]

Although the Class 1 is only valid for 1 year, you can use your certificate as a Class 2 for 5 years. You have five years from the EXPIRY date of your Class 1 before you have to return to Gatwick to undertake another Initial Class 1. If you renew it before the 5 years are up it will be to Renewal standards. Hope that helps

[RyanRs]

Ok so if i was to update my class 1 after say, Two years from passing it, then it would be classed as a renewal? So basically if i spend the £400 on the medical asap, then when i come to start my training, which may be 14 months from now, it will still be valid as a class1? Or are you saying the Class 1 requires renewal every 12 months but after the 12th month,it will be basically 'downgraded' to a class 2 and therefore need a class 1 renewal / upgrade?

lol I think i have just found the most complicated way of explaining that ever!! sorry!!

[flightychick]

If you need a Class 1 medical to undertake your training then you will need to revalidate/renew every 12 months.

[RyanRs]

Oke i see. thanks for the help.

[Raz_]

Ryan,

I am in exactly the same situation as you....

So could someone in the know just confirm I am reading all of this correctly...
As I read it... I pay my initial £330 and undertake the medical, which is valid for 5 years?? Then every time it requires revalidating, I pay £27 as it states on the website....??? Then after 5 years I assume the cycle starts to repeat itself...

Have I got that right

[Genghis the Engineer]

Pay obscene amount to CAA initially.

Valid for 1 year (or 6 months if you are over 40), but downgrades to class 2 which it remains for 5 years from the initial medical (or until your 42nd birthday, whichever happens first).

So, for example, you can do a class 1 now to start training, then so long as you don't take more than 5 years about it (which I think is pretty much impossible anyhow), revalidate as a class 1 again towards the end of the CPL flying period in time to take your test.

To the best of my knowledge you don't actually need current class 1 privileges for the CPL training, only for the actual skills test.

The renewal will be less than you paid to CAA, but still fairly pricey. My last (class 1 renewal including ECG) was £224.50 a few weeks ago.

G

[flyasthesky]

Hello Everyone, just found this thread and find it quite interesting. Does Anyone know if this is the same in Ireland? I have my class 1 renewal coming up but I am planning on hour-building for the next year or so. So as I understand my class 1 medical will become a class 2 if I do not renew it and as long as I renew my class 1 within 5 years it will only be a renewal and not have to fork out for an initial again.

Am I correct in saying this, sorry if it seems a bit silly,just want to be sure.
Thanks again

[Heatedfuelreturn]

similar request

I am over 60, and hold a class 1 JAA Medical.

Until this year I have been operating on AOC flights as well as private operations, and have required a 6 monthly class 1 renewal.

I have decided that private operations only are more fun, and as I am being offered a Gulfstream on the Bermudan register I have a question:

Must I hold a Class 1 medical to operate as PIC on a private operation of a turbine aircraft.

Easy really, until you ask the experts, who then are not so certain.

I believe that the answer is you need a CLASS 1 to operate as PIC on turbine aircraft.

Is this correct,

many thanks,

hfr