What happens in the Class 2 Medical?
 

I have already read this page btw, before you link me to Google :P

Initial JAR Class 2 (Private Pilot) Medical Examination | Medical | Safety Regulation

However, I'm still paranoid about what they'll make me do. I'm incredibly sensitive even about just taking my shirt off (there's a tangible reason for this I won't go in to) so in order to escape any nasty surprises can anyone outline exactly what happens during the medical? I hear they'd want to look at your genitals is well?

Sorry for the rather awkward question. :8

I've had two of these medicals so far. They involved disrobing down to underpants but no further.

My AME has a notice reminding candidates that they can have a chaperone present.

See Initial JAR Class 2 (Private Pilot) Medical Examination | Medical | Safety Regulation

If the idea of removing your shirt may cause you anxiety, it would be sensible to mention it to the AME in advance. He/she is, as a doctor, bound by the oath applicable to his/her profession and will discuss any issue with you in the strictest confidence. The doctor is only checking that you're fit to fly, not judging a beauty contest.

A chap I once knew had the misfortune to be born as a 'blue baby' and had needed some pretty serious surgery to correct matters. This left him with an enormous scar (legacy of the sawbones we had in those days!). He never mentioned it when he met a new doctor - until he took his shirt off which invariably aroused the quack's professional curiousity. He developed a wide range of inventive tales of explanation, including wrestling with sharks, playing with his pet crocodile and fighting hillbillies with chain saws!

So try not to worry - and in any case, most of the horny-handed old nut-grabbers know that pilots have a deep, instinctive but rather unwarranted distrust of them!

You cant tease us with that one. These are anonymous forums...... ;)

Just had mine so fairly well versed on the procedure:

Eye tests - check squint etc, along with the usual short and long range sight.
Blood pressure - usual cuff on the arm
Diabetes - pee in a cup!
Haemoglobin - pin in the finger to test a blood sample
ECG - shirt off for this I'm afraid, sticky pads in various places then linked to the machine that reads your heart beat.
Liver - push down on the area while you breathe in and out
Forms - various to complete and sign, health, family health and history, hospital visits etc etc.

Think that's about it. Didn't have to strip to underpants though, glad I didn't go to JOE-FBS's AME :rolleyes:

The most distressing part is paying for it all...

The also check if your g00lies hang down within 5mm of each other.

On a Class 1 medical the limit is 2.5mm.

Females are exempted from this requirement, but only on renewal medicals.

Don't knock the CAA; they know best what is relevant to aviation safety.

Mine doesn't, maybe yours just fancies you :}

Im going to get mine done on monday, and, after reading the comment about the 5mm hanging 'g00lies' I'm not really comfortable with a guy with his tape measure down below.
Does this happen on every medical :(

M1995.

They don't actually measure (I don't think, I may have mentally blocked that bit out though), they just make sure they are attached. They do this by giving them a firm tug! ;)

Yup afraid so. They also check shape and size so it all gets very intimate...





:rolleyes:

Then there is violation bit they do just like family guy !

Seriously now I have had class 2 and a class 1 (Gatwick) and don't remember having my balls grabbed or taking of trousers and definitely did not have no finger up the bum !:=
Had to take shirt off for ecg
pee in a cup and the doctor does not watch

All very harmless

I heard they check your prostate by sticking a finger in your bum

They do, but only if you pay extra.

Enough of the nonsence ..... its a medical not a perv's day out.

Class 2 medical ----

You will be asked to pee in private on a stick to check for diabetes and any kidney problems..... 4 different tests are on the one stick. You will have a standard eye test for short / long sight ... with without glasses if you need them. Your eyes will also be checked for colour correctness ..... you must read coloured numbers from a card with different coloured spots, you will be weighed and your height messured. You will be asked to fill a form on your and your immediate family medical history ... any heart conditions .. drug use.. mental illnesss ... do you smoke ... are you on any medication ... suffer dizziness .. etc etc. If you are over 55 years of age ( i think ) you will require an ECG. For this you will need to have electrodes placed on your chest, arms and legs and remain still for a moment while it is recorded. I can only speak for men ... but this is done while stripped to underpants and while laying on a standard Doctors surgery type bed. Also for men .... you will be required to turn and cough ... to ensure all's well with the undercarrage !!! -- this is done outside of your underpants and certainly not intrusive. You will certainly not have anything placed in your bum !!! . For some reason you will be asked the approx number of hours you have flown in the last year. .... hey it's the CAA !!!
Thats about it. Look upon as it as a good thing. For most this is the only medical you will have in a year or two - depending on age .... so make the most of it -- afterall you are having your health checked in a reasonably thorough manner. --- surley a good thing if not only for your flying.:8

And remember that when on these forums that some of the replies are from ACTUAL pilots !!!!.

I was always impressed by a work mate who used to " fly" 2 - 3 times a week for a couple of hours at a time and was an enthusiastic contributer to this forum ...... he used to say " I'm off flying tonight " to anyone who would listen ... made my flying a couple of hours a month in an Arrow look feeble !!! ---- until after some months it dawned on me that he was flying radio controlled models !!!!!!! .:ugh::ugh::ugh:

I'm 32 and had the ECG - no record of any heart problem so presume it was standard procedure.

No stripping to underpants though just shirt off, and definitely no checking of the undercarriage. Can't see why they would do that - they're looking for things that may affect you when flying so it's not really related?

It does cost a lot of money, but as you say it's good to have a fairly comprehensive health check regardless of the flying aspect.

It's fun to see how much one can write without a smiley and how many take it seriously :)

They do check your goolies but I think it is just a test for a hernia (they ask you to cough at the same time) though I can't remember whether this was in the CAA or the FAA medical; I have a Class 1 of each. Class 2, maybe not.

ECG is pretty standard, unless one is "very young" which in GA means under 80 :)

im getting this done on satueday so i little bit interested.

i am diagnosed with mild asthma although ive never had an attack and havent used an inhaler since my early teens.

what should i do?

Spin round three times, shake your fist in the air, and then spit? :)

Seriously, for a class 2 I don't think you will have a problem, but you'll find out for sure when you go!

What amazes me about these replies is the fact that there are any differences at all between the experiences. I would have thought that the routine was very, very, tightly controlled.

The doctor I go to does do a check of my testicles but I have never read a chart with coloured spots.

It does cost a packet of dosh, but the upside is that once a year (for me) I have a pretty good medical going over that could throw up early symptoms of something nasty.

My doctor has an excellent sense of humour which makes the experience not so bad. When I first went (many years ago) the ECG involved a whole raft of wires attached to a mechanical printer with a chart. One year it changed to a few neat wires attached to a PC - no buzzing noises and a lot faster. When I commented that there wern't many wires and buzzes the doctor just said 'Oh well, of course I could still provide that but it will, of course, cost a little extra'.

Overall it is not such a bad experience, but you can't avoid it so get used to it.