Is a Class 1 medical really something to be worried about?

I hadn't given it a second thought before reading this thread.

I'm in reasonable health, though perhaps not as healthy as I could be. I don't have any sight/ hearing problems and am a pretty avid hiker. That said, I'm not as slim as I could be (though still in the normal BMI range) and I'm pretty nonathletic.

I'm planning on getting my medical in Poland. Good information about the military centre, as I am planning to get my medical there...

Thanks for the PM! Replied!

RedDragonFlyer, I suspect you're more fit than I am. I do manage a good number of steps during the day while at work but I've had to admit to myself that I'm a comfort eater and it has shown over the years. My BMI is on the higher side and because of that, or because of the work I'm in, I'm on the borderline on some aspects of the Class 1 medical. Having to drive 4-5 hours to London and spend £500+ on an initial Class 1, I'd like to be more secure about my ability to deal with any concerns they might have over my health.

I'm under 35 on the BMI, so that's not an issue. It's other aspects that I'm at or a little past the borderline. For example, the blood pressure should be below 140/90 and I'm at 148/95 without medication, things like that. I guess I should really just bite the bullet and take the medical, but like I said, the time, effort, and cost to get one only to fail.... I'd like to have a bit more confidence in passing it or being able to address any concerns and come out with a pass.

What happens if they're not happy with certain aspects of my health? Is it a "fail" and "come back to us when you're sorted" and I'm stuck looking at another £500+ payment for another medical?

I am indeed going! It is stories like this that makes me worry more! Like I said in another post, one guy was told he couldn't fly because of his eyesight, but nobody told him he could've gone to any opticians, gotten glasses or contact lenses, gotten re-tested, and would've passed his Class 1! It was only after he told his story to his flight school that his instructors told him of the "fix!"

I know it sounds bizarre but that story was told to me in front of 2 or 3 other instructors and there was no reaction from them to indicate that the guy telling the story was fibbing or exaggerating, so I can really only go by that.

I'm getting mixed signals here as well. Some people would say that older chaps are better than younger, bright-eyed applicants because the older chaps have "seen the world" more and perhaps less idealistic maybe than a young pilot?

Wasn't really working on the BP issue, was going to the gym to lose weight anyway so killing two birds with one stone here! Might get significant fuel savings later on during hour-building time too!

Sorry but I don't understand how that ties in with what we were discussiong previously?

Firstly, I don't live in Europe/UK... I'm UTC+13, so YMMV etc

I think they were trying to point out that in most cases, the "ability" of the applicant (as shown through the Sim) seems to be the overriding factor as to whether or not said applicant is successful... "Age" is probably less of a factor than you think.

Regarding age, I got my CPL when I was 35 and I just got my first twin turboprop job a couple of months back... Started the ground course a week before my 43rd birthday.

Experience wise... I had around 600 hrs in GA and 1000 hrs in the RHS of a Cessna Caravan with Susi Air. (1950+ TT). Prior to my interview at the beginning of August, I hadn't flown commercially since 2016. I'd been "self funding" currency by going for the odd jolly in a 172 and doing my yearly Single Pilot MEIR (Partenavia and Duchess) renewals while knocking on doors and sending CVs etc.

While my previous flying experience definitely helped (CTO/ATO + turboprop time etc), part of the feedback I got was that my "life experience" and maturity also played a part in getting that "congratulations" phone call (and of course, a satisfactory Sim session)

As for the medical, my advice is to just do it. Book the medical and go. You're not going to get anything close to an accurate assessment of your ability to gain a Class 1 medical from an online forum. Only a qualified (D)AME will be able to do that. Also, the cost involved is a drop in the ocean compared to the overall costs involved with gaining a pilot licence.

Generally, if the doc has any concerns with something (and it isn't an outright showstopper like Diabetes), they'll discuss it with you and make recommendations to help you rectify it. They're not there to try and fail you. At least, none of the (D)AMEs I've ever used have...

Thanks for the replies, guys! I got an initial booking now but will need to swap around shifts to make this happen. Thankfully, the event next weekend will allow me to visit the AeMC prior to the medical so at least I'll be more familiar with the area come actual medical day/date so hopefully that will be one less stressor on my mind.