Class 1 Medical
 

I'm booking in for my aviation medical in Australia. Going for the Class 1 Medical. I already have my SPL etc, so in getting ready to fly I want to get my medical done.

CASA says:

Class 1 Initial Issue
ECG, audiogram, estimation of fasting serum lipids and fasting blood glucose and an examination by CASA Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist.

What does this involve in lamens terms, because I really hate needles and If I get one I could quite possible faint, as I did other times when blood was taken.

Regards,
Aviatah

The only needle you have to put up with is a tiny pin-prick to the figure to get a drop of blood. So no needles to extract fluid, just one to break the skin.

Si

Not quite... it's a bit more than that.

Don't mean to scare you, but it will involve a needle/syringe in the upper forearm to extract 5-10cc of blood which will be collected into 2 vials for analysis.

One is for the Lipid Profile and the other for the Fasting Glucose test. Results at the end of the day.

If it's for the Oz Class 1, the good news is that you'll only need to do this blood test only once... now... and (especially if you're young) perhaps not again for quite a few years. So that's the jab for you.... you can faint once in a few years, can't you? :} You'll do that for a career as a pilot, won't ya? :p

The eye check :cool: is done by a CASA Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist. Again, only for your initial medical... and not again until you really need to see an "eye specialist" again.

The ECG (heart ticking ok?) and General Medical is done by the DAME :8 in max 20 minutes.

The Audiogram may or may not be done by the DAME. If not, you'll need to get it done by any ENT specialist.

The reports are collected and forwarded to CASA for evaluation and approval... and you'll get your Class 1 in the mail within 2 weeks.

Good luck! :ok:

So it's not going to go on my record or anything that I fainted. Because, chances are I'm going to faint. 2 vials, holy crap I'm sure to faint.

I just dont want it to affect getting the actual Class 1 :p

Also, say I fail my ECG or something. I\'m 19, just I eat tonnes of junk food it isn\'t funny. (Maccas everyday) say I fail anything

Can I just redo it when I fix myself up and pass the next time?

I dont want to screw up my career from this one test haha

At 19 you'll get away with eating tonnes of junk food.
At 29 you might get away with eating tonnes of junk food.
At 39 you won't.

The medical is nothing. The sting of the needle is absolutely nothing compared to the sting in the wallet.

large pork pie and a pint of guiness please
 

aviatah! g'day!!

No one is going to find you unsuitable because you fear needles. But they sure might if you choose an avoidable lifestyle that damages your health. Especially when you should be in tip-top condition, all grown up but still so young!

The first medical provides authority with the best opportunity to keep people out. Subsequent medicals provide the opportunity to keep people in. So don't fail the first one. It isn't like re-sitting an exam till you pass or like giving up self-abuse only when you need glasses. [It doesn't make you go blind but don't ask how I know].

Never mind about needles. Worry about the little prick who leaves you numb. There's quite a few of those in the other seat.

If the nurse is a she I always ask her to hold my hand. She may take me for a wuss but I still get to hold her hand. Though after 12,000+ hrs it gets a bit trickier to get that one to work. I guess they're breeding a smarter kind of nurse these days.

Good Luck!

I hate them too - but you'll be sitting down so no worries.

Do what I do and don't look at the needles and don't look when the nurse does his/her work. Redsnail is right and I've had mossie bites that sting more. :ok: