Aviation Medical Exam Q&A

When can the medical be renewed?
Medicals can be renewed up to 45 days before current certificate expiry.

How do I book in?
Please complete the Contact me form fully

To avoid disappointment, please appreciate I may not always be able to respond to phone calls the same day.

An online booking system is work in progress.

Which medicals can Mark provide?
CAA Class 1 Medical (Wilmslow, WIProgress for Fife)
CAA Class 2 Medical
CAA LAPL and
CAA Cabin Crew Medical
FISO Medical
UK Parachute Medicals

Pilots please ensure you have applied this year for your renewal revalidation medical for CAA cellma portal, a medical cannot be conducted until this is completed
Pitfall: beware the pitfall that after applying for the medical on CAA cellma portal you MAY need to pay CAA an applciation fee (applies to class 1 and class2)

What medicals is Mark NOT authorised to provide?
EASA medicals.Due to Brexit I am no longer authorised to provide EASA medicals.The website will publish if and when I regain that authorisation.

What days are A M Exams typically offered? (please ask should you need another time /day)

Contact me for availability which varies by LOCATION.

Where are the A M Exams conducted?
The premises approved by CAA include:-

Click for Locations

Can Mark initiate treatment if required?
Although the A M Examiner is a regulatory role, Mark is happy to sign post you to the necessary doctor for further assessment or treatment.

Top Tips: What do I need to do before the AME?
do
Arrive well rested

Bring photo ID eg. driver licence or passport

Bring recent spectacles / contact lens eye prescription (which must be within 3 months of AMExam)-this item is the most commonly forgotten item by pilots attending the AME

Bring current / most recent medical certificate

Bring list of medications

Bring your pilots licence

Bring payment (BACS payment preferred, cash or cheque accepted too)

What should I avoid doing prior to the AME?
do NOT exercise strenuously in preceding 24hr
do NOT eat a curry immediately prior to exam (this can affect the ECG)
do NOT drink too much caffeine prior to the exam
do NOT have very cold drinks prior to the ECG
do NOT empty your bladder immediately prior to examination (alternatively bring a fresh same day sample)
do NOT wear contact lenses during the examination
do NOT post correspondence/ cheques to The Alex. Hospital

Will anyone else be there?
All female pilots and cabin crew examinations are conducted with a chaperone present. Any male pilots are welcome to also have a chaperone present (with advance notice at the time of booking).

Please note the General Medical Council (GMC) Guidance which governs my practice:
The patient should be offered a ‘chaperone' during intimate examinations. This applies whether or not the Dr is same gender as the patient.

2.The GMC has recently issued guidance on mentoring and separately revalidation, so from time to time another doctor may observe and audit my service provision.

So what is examined?
It aims to be a thorough top to toe examination and is prescribed by the CAA ( I will email you the Medical Examination form that we work through together).

So typically height, weight, Urine test, Hearing, vision, chest and heart, heart tracing ECG, abdomen, joints, spine, mental state, blood test may be done to rule out anaemia, and lipid blood test may be indicated depending on risk of heart disease.

It should be noted that unless pilots conduct self examination of breasts / testes then the CAA also expect these to be examined.

How long does the examination take?

A pilot should allow 1hr for the examination, and cabin crew should allow 30 minutes for the examination, but please note the efficiency of that will depend on me receiving all requested documents from you in advance. 

Does Mark keep my GP informed?
There may be occasion where further investigation of a problem requires the coordination of your GP.

Service to LAPLicence holder and GPs
If your GP needs to refer you to me please use this form
LAPL GP referral to AME form
Link: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=7099

Bloop pressure issues
I've been told I have white coat syndrome (or I am taking Bp medications)and my Bp always goes up at a medical, what can I do to achieve satisfactory Bp at the medical
This is a really common issue.I advise the following
do four consecutive days of Bp readings at rest, twice in the morning at rest, twice in evening at rest.And keep a record on word or excel file

  • And to minimise elevated Bp:-
  • Avoid exercise prior to the Bp
  • Avoid smoking prior to Bp
  • Avoid caffeine (stimulant drinks) prior to Bp
  • Avoid full bladder prior to Bp
  • Avoid applying cuff over clothing
  • Avoid talkingfidgeting during the measurement
  • Avoid crossing your legs
  • Ensure it is an arm cuff, as wrist Bp /finger Bp reading is unreliable
  • Ensure you are calm at rest with your back supported during Bp
  • Ensure the cuff size is appropriate for your arm if muscular or large
  • Ensure you have taken your Bp medication as prescribed