Well when I was there, no one had to run around the car park. Mind you, my heart was raising as I know that I didn't relax. I know that my blood pressure was also sky high - fortunately only the top number (the bottom is apparently the important one) - as I called my Dad after my medical (he is a Dr) to see if that was really bad (I knew what was normal and my top number was above it). The medical isn't designed to catch you out. It isn't designed to to be an obstacle. It is there to ensure that you are medically fit to fly. It cost me a lot of money as I had to get two pairs of glasses following it (my prescription is the lowest that you can get) - but that does demonstrate how thorough it is, but also how fair it is. :). It is hard but try to relax. I cannot say that it is the most pleasant few hours of my life, but it certainly wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. As I have said before, all of the staff are extremely friendly and extremely professional. You cannot ask for more than that IMO. There are no tricks, there are no catches, the medical is designed to see if you meet what is deemed to be the medical requirements to fly. That doesn't mean that those requirements won't change in a week/a month/ a decade. It just means that if you meet the requirements on the day that you go, you receive a Class One. If you need further investigations, you get referred and if you don't meet them you are told why.

thanks guys, I'm not so worried now, I'm sure it will all go ok :}

I was thinking about filling in the forms last night - it asks for the number of hours flown and the number of hours flown since last medical... since I've never had a medical and I'm only a student, do I fill these boxes in?

It also asks for type of flying - I'm assuming I just put "pleasure" if I'm just doing my PPL at the moment? And it asks if I fly single pilot or multi pilot... bit confused about this one since I will be flying single pilot eventually but just now I'm flying with an instructor... :confused:

Any help very much appreciated - I'm rubbish at form filling :ugh:

Hi,

I had my Class 1 last thursday.

Some of the questions are a bit ambiguous, if in doubt leave them blank, make yourself a reminder sheet and ask them when you get there.

The staff there are very helpful.

I think I put PPL in the type of flying, and just put in the number of hours you have flown to date.

Thanks, I think I'll do that - just ask them when i get there.

How did the medical go?

Well, I thought it had gone ok, but I have to have further tests on my eyesight. So it's back to Gatwick for me :*

Ok I've managed to answer all but two questions:

1. Type of license applied for. I'm not sure if this should be "private pilot" or "student pilot" as the guidance notes are slightly misleading.

2. Present Flying activity. Either single or multi pilot....

Anyone have any ideas? If not its being left blank and asked about next week :}

Just write private pilot and single pilot. It's irrelevant to the medical anyway. Probably just for their records. It doesn't matter whether you fly, sorry flew Concorde or an ultralight the medical standard remains the same.

I've just renewed mine complete with high blood pressure (under medication) and with my eyesight heading unerringly towards reading glasses. Don't worry too much about the medical. After all there are many older pilots with all kinds of niggling infirmities. I have to admit I never worried about medicals until they found high blood pressure. With that being treated. I don't even have to worry about that either.

Thanks corsair - I was wondering what the relevance of it all was!

I'm not too worried about the medical, I think I should pass ok. The only thing that might be dodgy is my lung function as I had asthma when I was younger. But I'm thinking if I get a good nights sleep it should be fine.

what exactly do they examin whilst you are in your underwear / dressing gown?

I'm looking into booking mine very soon, i wasnt aware that there would be an undressing part of the examination!

any pms/ replys would be appreciated

this hasnt put me off by the way, im just curious to know!

You have to take your top off but you are given a bath robe/dressing gown to wear. You might have to be in underwear for the general physical with the GP. Nothing to worry about.

Relax, it's not often you get to lounge around in the afternoon in a dressing gown! I hope everything goes well for you.

Good luck :ok:

Helen, I'm not sure what you are not understanding, your question has already been answered by previous posters. If you have any further questions the Sticky at the top of the forum might make it clearer. Check this thread also http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=230714

Helen,
The Doc (could be female) will probably want to, at least, listen to your chest with stethoscope - hard to do through clothing.
GAGS
E86

link appreciated

JAR Class 1 and 2 medical requirements
 

The CAA requirements for medical exams are here:

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?ca...68&groupid=211

A bit of imagination should make it clear what you will be required to do. It's frankly up to the individual Doctor what technique they use to conduct the exam as long as the requirements are fulfilled. If you still have questions:

CAA Safety Regulation Group
Aviation House
Gatwick Airport South
West Sussex RH6 0YR

For enquiries:

Telephone Call Centre +44 1293 573700