Medical at CAA Gatwick
 

Hi folks,

I'm off to Gatwick on Thursday for my medical. Can anyone give me any advice with regards where to park, how easy it is to find the place etc. My medical is in the afternoon, so will be driving down from Stafford on the morning. Any tips or hints from anyone that has been through this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Barney

To find the place: find Gatwick Airport then head south on the A23. The CAA are held (sorry-housed) in the large untidy grey building known as the "Belgrano" which is to the left of the A23 just beyond the centre line of the runway.
Parking is easy with plenty of spaces. It is rare to have to park in one of the designated slots for the CAA elite.
The Medical part is on the ground floor.
Best of luck sport!

[This message has been edited by Lou Scannon (edited 13 June 2000).]

And, in addition to all of the above, should you stop and ask anyone, (older than about 45 years, I would think!), you could also ask for directions to the "Beehive" as it is the white round building behind Belgrano that has been there many, many years and uses the same or very adjacent parking space.
To first find Gatwick, from the Midlands,(M1?), find the M25, turn Eastbound ,(anti-clockwise), then exit to the M23 and then all as Lou Scannon said.

Cheers for the info....have a good 'en!

How'd it go Barney?
Did they tell if you were ok there and then?

Thanks, VFE.

If it is your first Class ONE medical..

You only have to wait (about 2-4 weeks) for the the Certificate, as the ECG and EEG need to be examined by a specialist and blood tested.

For the eyes, lungs, ears, and general examination, you would have been told about those components of the medical there and then.

A nice bunch of people I reckon.

Rob99

VFE,

You want to know how it went..........read on my friend.

I am now aged 26, and for a long time I have wanted to be a commercial pilot. However, since the age of 16, I have been just outside the Class 1 Limits of +/-3 D.

At age 17 I was -3.25 in each eye. I was told then that I would not be able to obtain a Class 1 Medical without having flown 500 hrs on a Class 2.

I then went to Uni etc, and now, 10 years down the line, I still felt that flying was what I wanted to do. I contacted the CAA again, and they said that I should come for a UK Class 2 (only being issued until the end of June 2000). If everything was OK, they would then consider me for a Class 1 after 500 hrs.

So, last tuesday I booked a UK Class 2. Wednesday I went to my optician for an eye test. I was -3.75 in each eye. I faxed a report to the CAA about my eyesight (I had to do this as I wear contact lenses).

Thursday, I left for Gatwick at 6am. Arrived 10am. Medical was at 12.45........did some reading in the library.

I then filled in forms for my Class 2 etc, and went for my ECG. I then went for my eye test. The optician asked why I wanted a Class 2, so I told him. His reply was that although I was outside the limit for Class 1, my prescription had been stable for a number of years, and that I wasn't that far outside. He said he would do a full JAA Class1 eyesight test. After the test he turned to me and said that I was out side +/-3 (I think he got me at -3.5 in both eyes, but that was from a quick sneaky look at his form!), but he was quite happy to recommend me for a Class1 on the fact that:

1. Corrected vision was better than 6/4 in each eye separately with glasses/contact lenses.
2. My prescription had been stable for nearly 10 years.
3. The amount by which I was outside the limit was within the error of measurement. He admitted, that if he tested my eyes tomorrow, he may get something very different.

So, after a chat with his colleagues, he said they would do the rest of the tests for a JAA Class1.

Barring any probs with the ECG, EEG and blood tests, I should have a shiney Class 1 through the post in a couple of weeks.

Those of you in a similar position to what I was..............don't sit there moping, thinking you cannot get a Class 1. I have done for nearly 10 years, when there was no need to! If you are just outside the limit contact the CAA, or even go for the medical. As rob99 said, they are very helpful.

I have heard horror stories and slagging-off of the CAA. I can't thank the folks at Gatwick enough. I went for a Class 2, and now Have a Class 1. I am still a Wannabee, and probably will be for a some time to come. One thing I do know.............I'm now one large step closer to being a Gonnabee!!!

A happy ending (well, of this chapter anyway!)

If anyone wants any more info, you can post it here or email me.

Regards to all...................**** man, ain't life just the tops!!!!!!!!!!


Barney
(not as blind and deaf as he previously thought!!)

Good on ya Barney! I'm happy for you. ;)

Me too!!!!!
Well done mate.

------------------
And up we go!

Don't hold your breath, waiting for your class 1 to arrive. I've been waiting since mid-April. Twelve month validity! By the time mine turns up, there'll be less than 10 months left. CAA, thanks, you've been great.

Have you tried 'phoning medical reception (01293 573685/573686).

The girls on reception are very helpful.....maybe they can tell you where your certificate is.

Bye for now

Barney

P.S.
Did you get the nice nurse with the long brown hair who comes from Devon.......I'm glad I'd had my ECG before she started to ruffle my hair when doing the EEG!

[This message has been edited by Barney (edited 19 June 2000).]

Yup, she's a babe. Blood pressure, heart rate normal and then....

I've called them twice, left e-mails; all to no avail and am getting really p155ed off! They were very helpful when I was there though. And such beautiful eyes. Sigh.

Ham Phisted,
That seems really BAD.
God, I hope mine does not take that long to come through because I need the class 2 to go solo soon.
I had the class 1 booked because I would really like to know if I can make it commercially.
Yikes, it's getting a little worrying.

Sorry for the spelling.

Take care.