Class 1 medical becoming a class 2?
 

I've been loooking through JAR FCL3 but not found any info, so I was hoping someone could help me out?

I have a class 1 medical, as I under stand it that becomes a class 2 once it expires? Is this true?

Also since the class 2 is valid for 5 years does that mean I don't have to do/tell anyone until the 5 years is up when I book a class 2 renewal??

If I then decided at somepoint in the future to get a class 1 again, would I have to undergo the initial test or just the renewal test plus any ECGs/hearing bits that have elapsed?

Thanks
smithgd

5 years?
 

Last time I checked there was no difference between a Class 1 and a Class 2 except for the interval: 6 months for a Class 1 and 12 months for a Class 2. The medical itself was exactly the same, including a stress ECG and an audiogram. The Class 3 has different standards, I believe.

I am talking JAR, there is no class 3 and according to JAR FCL3 there are differencies to 1 and 2, and I don't just mean the costs:)

I think the precise wording is that a Class1 medical may be used for Class 2 privileges and validities. In other words, yes, when it lapses it may be used as a Class 2 for as long as that Class 2 would be valid.

About getting a Class 1 back again, normally you can just renew it when you want it; I've done so. However, there is a limit after which you have to go back to Gatwick for another initial Class 1. I believe that limit is 5 years, but I'm not certain. Be patient; one of the AMEs on here will know.

I have the same understanding as Whirlybird regarding the class 1 to class 2 validity. Class 1 expires but degrades to class 2 level for the remaining validity period of a class 2.

I was at Gatwick earlier this year (Class 1 renewal) and the AME reminded me of the 5 year renewal period (to help me save money). I suspect the five years starts ticking down from the date of the last Class 1 exam.

I've been through all this recently too. From what I understand of what the AME told me, the above is correct, but you should get in touch with the CAA before three years are up, if you leave it that long. Five years is quite a long time to leave a class 1 dormant and I think they may make you go through the joys and £s of the intial again unless you have previously notified them of your ongoing circumstances & plans and come to an agreement based on them.