EK/GCAA Medicals
 

Why is it that these doctors want to perform so many extra tests on you for no real known reason when you go in for your flight physical??? Maybe I'm the only guy they do this to.

If I or anyone meets the requirements for a GCAA flight physical, then darn it, we're entitled to the flight physical certificate period. It's a simple concept and we don't go there for things like getting blood work, treadmill tests, and other wasteful and COSTLY referrals. There's no requirement for that stuff to get a flight physical!

If there are other issues, I would offer we can come in to see a doctor on our own time.

Give me the medical certificate if I pass the GCAA REQUIREMENTS!!!!

Thanks for letting me vent…. :-)

Kap

just don't do the extra stuff, works fine, they have to explain to JC why they don't give you a medical

Try and refuse a referral to a specialist...why would you do that anyway. Its your health..

These doctors are blood hounds going beyond what is required by the GCAA.
They are the quickest way for you to lose your job here.

They are primarily following the company line and they are not their for your benefit when you go in for a GCAA medical.

The doctors are now reviewing how many times you called in sick during the year.

We do have good do doctors but they are few and Far between.

@ Gortex: Sent you a PM.

@ DesdiHold:

Couldn't agree more, Desdi!!

Seems to be more and more difficult to get the doctor we prefer or have listed as our primary physician. Doesn't seem to make any difference lately.

Kap

I'm curious, are you permitted to get your medical outside EK medical services?

Simple....NO. Not any more.

Which test do they do that are not required can object to? I honestly have no clue

Well, it is obviously variable- my last medical the Doctor didn't want to hear about anything! He even said so--just finish the medical, other issues could be brought up at another appointment.

Trader. ...

That's exactly how it should be....
Wish all the doctors had that perception.

Over the years I've had to do things like extra blood work.... for no reason, and all other requirements met. It was just because one particular doctor thought he'd be pro active in case the gcaa wanted this info! Really!?!? I've had to go do a stress ECG test for no reason while again, all other indicators said I passed the requirements. Again another doctor trying to be proactive before being queried by the gcaa. Then another time it was a sleep study for being 1.5 kilos over a magic bmi number even though this is not a requirement for a gcaa medical. Just tired of jumping thru unnecessary hoops. If I qualify, I'm entitled to the medical..... no questions.

This is why I have an issue with some of these doctors.

The doctors work to a required standard. This standard is mandated from the GCAA for the pilots' medicals not EK.

K you normally write some great posts. This is not one of them. The GCAA mandate the BMI. If you are over 30 then no medical. It is a GCAA ruling. If the docs pass you and are audited, they will lose their licence.

The doctors go through 10 plus years of training and have to pass an AME course. I think that qualifies them to interpret the GCAA rulings better than pilots. I guess you wouldn't like to be told how to fly your plane if one of the docs googled it??

The GCAA are cracking down on AME's left right and centre. An external AME Dr. RJ just lost his AME licence.

The docs are covering their asses. Just as the pilots do. Given the docs are undermanned, with morale lower than a snake's belly, and are incredibly busy, I really can't see them ordering extra tests.

Unless they need to.

Don't mean to offend. They don't have an easy job.

Happy landings

My BMI is over 30…I have a medical, it appears you are talking out of your posterior.

Falcon.

What a charmer. If your BMI is over 30, you are required to do various blood tests and get seen by the clinic every 3 months to get your weight down.

Hardly a ringing endorsement of your health!

So yes, you do get a licence, I stand corrected.

But what about your health?

I won't stoop to your level of literary ignorance.

Best wishes

Flyboy,

Me, height 193 cm, weight 114kg, BP (assessed 112/75) 46' chest, 35' waist. I bench 135kg, and squat 220kg. Body fat % assessed at 12%. My peak flow and cardio vascular capacity better than someone 20 years younger, oh yeah and I'm a vegetarian.
The BMI assessment is a flawed instrument…my EASA medical takes 5 minutes:hmm:

Thanks for the stats.

I didn't say I agree with the BMI of 30 thing. I don't for what it is worth.

It is a blunt instrument. It needs to be considered with other data.

But that is the rule here.

So, the AME's follow it.

Well done on the good health!

777Boy…

Ya, you're not quite right on this one. The point is that the flight physical should only be based on those requirements and those alone. I agree that we should all be "healthy" but… my point is I should be able to see the doctor when I'm not feeling well or think there's a problem on my own, not during the flight physical.

I go to the flight physical for just that.. the GCAA flight physical. Nothing else. If I have aches and pains I'll go to the doctor on my own time.

My whole and ONLY point is this: If I pass the requirements, I should get my medical and there are doctors here who do not do that. It's simply wrong.

That's all I'm saying guys…. If I meet the requirements, show me the medical!
K

K,

With you all the way.

Only the docs and the GCAA know the rules. We don't

Maybe they do other tests as a mandatory requirement. I have heard that is the case. Like I said previously it is the CYA syndrome.

We all know about our friend who does the sleep apnea thing.....

Good health to all.

I thought they had quietly dropped the fat b@stard BMI thing anyway.

Hell no, I enjoy my 3 monthly visit, booked to coincide with a visit to HQ anyway and watch the nurse look apologetic when she tells me I haven't lost any weight at which point I gently inform her that some of us are skinny, some of us are in the middle and some of us are overweight. That's life and nothing the clinic does will change that fact...

Actually the GCAA BMI limit is 35, 30 coupled with the 3 monthly visits is an EK requirement which should have no bearing on the GCAA medical:=