GCAA examination specifics
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GCAA examination specifics
Good afternoon fellas,
I apologize up front if this is off topi for this section.
I've been asked to fulfill a GCAA medical exam and am wondering the exact specifics of it. I have searched the forum and have only found general ideas of how the exam is administered.
1. How many people (dr.'s, nurses) are involved?
2. Are you under a watchful eye the entire time?
3. Is it a single examining room where the entire exam is carried out?
4. Is the vision testing done separately by an ophthalmologist? If so, what extent do they test vision (what device/machine?)?
5. Color vision tested with Ishihara?
6. Protocol for wearing glasses/contacts?
Long list, sorry, but any info would be greatly appreciated!
I've held an FAA Class 1 for years and easily get it renewed each time, however my Dr. is extremely lenient (no complaints) when it comes to vision testing which I am assuming GCAA officials will not be.
Thank You
I apologize up front if this is off topi for this section.
I've been asked to fulfill a GCAA medical exam and am wondering the exact specifics of it. I have searched the forum and have only found general ideas of how the exam is administered.
1. How many people (dr.'s, nurses) are involved?
2. Are you under a watchful eye the entire time?
3. Is it a single examining room where the entire exam is carried out?
4. Is the vision testing done separately by an ophthalmologist? If so, what extent do they test vision (what device/machine?)?
5. Color vision tested with Ishihara?
6. Protocol for wearing glasses/contacts?
Long list, sorry, but any info would be greatly appreciated!
I've held an FAA Class 1 for years and easily get it renewed each time, however my Dr. is extremely lenient (no complaints) when it comes to vision testing which I am assuming GCAA officials will not be.
Thank You
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Generally not much different from an FAA check during recurrents, but the first time is the most thorough, and usually requires the drawing of blood and examination by specialists. Subsequently, blood is only drawn if you are above 30 BMI or have another issue that requires close monitoring. Weight, height, urine sample, audiogram and EKG (if you are over 40) by the nurses. Vision was tested by an ophthalmologist the first time I did it, but on recurrents I have been checked for acuity and field of vision only by nurses on a machine similar to the one at many DMVs in the US. Color is tested by use of the charts with numbers hidden amongst the bubbles, also by the nurses. Doctor just makes sure you haven't reported anything on the online form (done before you go), follows up on complaints or previous problems, does a quick 10 minute examination and sets you on your way. Expect more than 90 minutes the first time, and about and about half the time on recurrents if there is no waiting, but there usually is (not enough AMEs for this region). Unicare clinic in Burjuman and Synergy Clinic on Wasl road are pretty good, the latter will also do your FAA and/or EASA checks if required (not sure if Unicare do that as well).
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NinER fIvEr, thanks for the help, much appreciated.
To clarify, do the clinics have an in house ophthalmologist in order to complete the medical in one fell swoop the same day or do you need to find a separate vision clinic? Did he/she check eyes using the machine with the different lenses to see what your prescription is (if needed)? And for wearing glasses, will they allow you to wear glasses when examined?
Cheers
To clarify, do the clinics have an in house ophthalmologist in order to complete the medical in one fell swoop the same day or do you need to find a separate vision clinic? Did he/she check eyes using the machine with the different lenses to see what your prescription is (if needed)? And for wearing glasses, will they allow you to wear glasses when examined?
Cheers
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Mate it's an ICAO medical, the initial will always be harder and if you do not have 20/20 vision at the outset you will be sent to an ophthalmologist for screening to ensure there is no degenerative disease.
A few years ago we had a colour blind guy asking the same sort of questions who joined one of the carriers and then tried to defraud the insurance scheme. The GCAA will expect you to be able to see!
A few years ago we had a colour blind guy asking the same sort of questions who joined one of the carriers and then tried to defraud the insurance scheme. The GCAA will expect you to be able to see!
short flights long nights
I'm intrigued by the questions, is the exam done in a single room?, and, are you under a watchful eye the whole time?
What relevance does any of this have?
What relevance does any of this have?
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Looks to me like A300600 is a tad nervous about the vision tests.
If he has a problem that the FAA doesn't test certain medical elements that the Gulf States actually do include, or something else like a nervous eye twitch or tic, he should say what his problem is and ask advice here.
If he has a problem that the FAA doesn't test certain medical elements that the Gulf States actually do include, or something else like a nervous eye twitch or tic, he should say what his problem is and ask advice here.
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IMO…
These GCAA medicals are becoming more and more like the infamous Chinese Astronaut physicals.
Heaven help you if you tell the doc you have a sore index finger. Next thing you know, you'll be going to referral after referral for: ECG, blood work, brain scan, and the ever beloved sleep study. While a very few docs are good, a significant number are afraid of submitting to the GCAA for fear of it coming back requiring more info. To mitigate this, they simply over-do what is common sense and rational.
And if you get a particular doctor whom we affectionally call the Gnome… just call in sick!!
These GCAA medicals are becoming more and more like the infamous Chinese Astronaut physicals.
Heaven help you if you tell the doc you have a sore index finger. Next thing you know, you'll be going to referral after referral for: ECG, blood work, brain scan, and the ever beloved sleep study. While a very few docs are good, a significant number are afraid of submitting to the GCAA for fear of it coming back requiring more info. To mitigate this, they simply over-do what is common sense and rational.
And if you get a particular doctor whom we affectionally call the Gnome… just call in sick!!
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I think I know his problem. PM me with your problem and I'll give you the details of the tests carried out. I assure your confidentiality. Not many pilots will be able to tell you in Middle East, there are only a few. None in China as you need to pass the astronaut medical. I can fly anywhere in the world but Far East with my condition.
It does make a difference if you are taking FAA, EASA, CASA or ICAO medical exam when it comes to vision.
It does make a difference if you are taking FAA, EASA, CASA or ICAO medical exam when it comes to vision.
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Thank you all for the additional information.
Having taken many FAA medicals and Air Force flight physicals, I can tell you the difference between those two alone is vast, especially the initial screenings. The issue I have is easily passable for an FAA First Class with a non overly zealous doctor, whereas the Air Force is a cat and mouse game to the point that it does matter the size of the examining room and who is conducting each portion of the testing, etc.
I will state that the issue stems from color deficiency which has increasingly developed since my first ever flight physicals to the point I have to make necessary accommodations for myself at each physical from here on out. If any of you have had to have your FAA First Class renewed you understand that it can be a very casual experience depending on the doctor you use. This is why I am asking the specifics of the GCAA exam since I have not had to get a full examination in years for a new class of medical. It sounds as stringent as the military.
Thank You
Having taken many FAA medicals and Air Force flight physicals, I can tell you the difference between those two alone is vast, especially the initial screenings. The issue I have is easily passable for an FAA First Class with a non overly zealous doctor, whereas the Air Force is a cat and mouse game to the point that it does matter the size of the examining room and who is conducting each portion of the testing, etc.
I will state that the issue stems from color deficiency which has increasingly developed since my first ever flight physicals to the point I have to make necessary accommodations for myself at each physical from here on out. If any of you have had to have your FAA First Class renewed you understand that it can be a very casual experience depending on the doctor you use. This is why I am asking the specifics of the GCAA exam since I have not had to get a full examination in years for a new class of medical. It sounds as stringent as the military.
Thank You
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Hello everyone 
, I would like to know if someone can tell me how long it takes for the GCAA to issue the medical certificate since the status is "In Process with GCAA". Thank you
, I would like to know if someone can tell me how long it takes for the GCAA to issue the medical certificate since the status is "In Process with GCAA". Thank you
