Small update from my side: it took several months, but now finally moving to the TR phase :)
Anyone else in this stage who wants to connect?

Hey folks,
I am a little bit worried about passing my medical in the Middle East. I am a bodybuilder with BMI of 30.5. Anyone have experienced this before? I currently fly in Canada and BMI is not a thing here unless there are other health related issues.

Mate, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

If you’re one of those properly ripped bodybuilder types, veins everywhere, sub 10% body fat, looking like you live on chicken and broccoli, the doctor will take one look at you and BMI goes straight out the window. They’re not stupid, they know muscle when they see it.

If you’re more in the “enthusiastic gym attendance with a bulking phase that never ended” category, you’ll still likely be fine. The initial Class 1 cut off tends to hover around BMI 35.

That said, being sub 30 just makes the first medical smoother with fewer questions asked so it’s worth aiming for if you can.

It is a requirement for licensing porpouse 30 or less for the issue of the UAE medical class 1. I think EK even lowers it to 29 but i don't know if as a buffer or not. And they are pretty strict with it.

A BMI of < 30 is clearly not a hard limit. You just need to have a look around. Plenty of guys in FZ with > 30 BMI.

What I was told when i apply was the coutry law stated 30 to obtain the Initial Class 1, after that you where in the clear.

What you were told is incorrect. You can actually look this stuff up. EK have their own rules but as far as I can tell we are discussing this topic in relation to FZ.

For the GCAA medical certification purpose the definition of obesity include:

 A body mass index above 30, or

 A waist circumference over 102 cm, female 88cm, or

 A waist to hip ration of 0.9 male and 0.85 female, or

 Body fat content above 25% male and 32% female.

ii. Obese applicant with incapacitation risk of >1%, must be grounded and enter a weight

management program which should include dietary advice, an increased exercise regime and

regular 3 monthly AME follow and should require an additional battery of tests to exclude the

nutritional and metabolic disorders before issuing the medical certificate. The minimum tests

required would be Lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride level and HDL), random blood

glucose estimation with HBA1c and calculation the overall risk of cardiovascular disease. A target

weight reduction of at least 10 % their original weight over one year and all risk factors must be

monitored and controlled.

iii. Obese applicants who are otherwise well and can exercise the privileges of a license safely will be

certificated without restriction.

iv. Obese Individual with OSA should be managed as per the protocol of OSA.

v. If the a class I candidate with BMI of 35 or more fails to lose weight over 6 months period, or even

gain more weight, the GCAA may recommend further assessments with particular attention to his

competency in managing emergency situations and evacuation. Multi-pilot (Class I ‘OML’)

limitation may be required.

vi. If the high BMI does not reflect obesity (e.g. muscular built), then other measurement to be used

as guidelines with the BMI for more accurate assessment, such as body fat percentage.

vii. Failure to comply with any or all of these points may lead to permanent unfitness.

https://www.gcaa.gov.ae/en/epublication/NPADocuments/NPA%2018-2014%20CAAP%2019%20-%20AEROMEDICAL.pdf

What’s the inductive reasoning test like? Any basic physics and math in there?

Is the current advertisement for First Officers (Russia) Non Type Rated applicable to only Russian nationalities?

No, assessment is done in Russia

Thank you for the response. Guess in that case I have to wait for DXB assessment.

I wonder how it’s going these days what with the conflict and all. Scene over there seems precarious from the outside. Though you can’t tell what it’s really like because of all the misinformation out there.

Current conditions
 

Just had a remote panel interview recently for a Type Rated FO position. Just a few key points:
- the earliest start date for those interviewing now is Q4 2026 (i.e. a 9 month delay)
- command upgrade wait times at the moment are around 3.5 to 4 years
- no concrete info on 787 deliveries

Hi, did you go through the online aptitude tests as listed on LPJ for the interview process? if so , how was it?

It is open to all now. It was there due to a roadshow in Russia but that has been cancelled. Anyone can now apply and interview will be online and the remainder in Dubai. Just look past the Russia naming.

FlyDubai doing assessments in war torn Russia to recruit people.

“ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”

To be fair; In my experience, the Russians I’ve flown with and even trained, generally demonstrate good knowledge, skill, and attitude competencies. Some bring extensive wide-body command and examiner backgrounds, yet are willing to accept FO positions to get out of Russia. Can’t blame them.

Ultimately, individual professionals should not be defined by circumstances beyond their control; capability and character remain the more meaningful measures.

i totally agree with you, they have been a valuable addition to our existing group of pilots (dominated by another group..)

I have no idea how you came to the conclusion about nationality , professionalism or character. I was talking about the operating environments.

I’m preparing for the SIM assessment in May and looking for someone to split the cost of a prep session. Prep session will be on May3. Let me know if you’re interested!