What are an airline pilot medical requirements?
We have already described basic information about pilot medical checks in our step-by-step guide on how to become an airline pilot. Let’s have a closer look at what medical requirements are necessary in order to be assessed as fit for flying as an airline pilot.
In this article we only summarize the most common specific requirements. Please refer to EASA Part-MED for complete guidance on each body system.
Disclaimer: Applicants with health problems marked with an asterisk (*) may be assessed by the authority to consider their fitness. This means that in most cases the applicant can be assessed as fit if under approved medication, stable condition and asymptomatic.
Cardiovascular system
Below you can find the most common cardiovascular system problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Cardiac murmurs with no other complication
- High blood pressure (with acceptable medication)
Fitness may be considered:
- Cardiac valve replacement/repair*
- Underwent heart attack*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Heart congenital abnormality
- Exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia
Respiratory system
Below you can find the most common respiratory system problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Allergy (with approved medication)
- Asthma (no steriod medication, no attacks)
Fitness may be considered:
- Chronic obstructive airways disease*
- Pneumothorax*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Sleep apnoea syndrom
Digestive system
Below you can find the most common digestive system problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Gallstones (if asymptomatic)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Fitness may be considered:
- Pancreatitis*
- Peptic ulcer disease*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Oesophageal varices
Metabolic and endocrine systems
Below you can find the most common metabolic and endocrine system problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Obesity (BMI < 35)
- Diabetes mellitus (with no hypoglycaemic episodes)
Fitness may be considered:
- Addison’s disease*
- Gout*
- Thyroid disfunction*
Usually assessed as unfit:
Any unstable metabolic or endocrine system disease condition.
Haematology
Below you can find the most common hematological problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the haematology system problems require further investigation before fit assessment may be considered.
Fitness may be considered:
- Anaemia*
- Polycythaemia*
- Haemoglobinopathy*
- Coagulation disorder*
- Haemorrhagic disorder*
- Thrombo-embolic disorder*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Splenomegaly
- Acute or chronic leukaemia
- Sickle cell disease
- Arterial embolus
Genitourinary system
Below you can find the most common genitourinary system problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the genitourinary system problems require further investigation before fit assessment may be considered.
Fitness may be considered:
- Urinary calculi*
- Compensated nephrectomy*
- Renal transplantation*
- Total cystectomy*
Usually assessed as unfit:
NIL
Infectious diseases
Below you can find the most common infectious disease problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the infectious disease (tuberculosis, syphilis, hepatitis) are not disqualifying once fully treated and recovered.
Fitness may be considered:
- HIV infection*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Acute tuberculosis
- Acute syphilis
- AIDS
- Infectious hepatitis
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Below you can find the most common obstetrics and gynecological problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Pregnancy (the first 26 weeks)
Fitness may be considered:
NIL
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Severe menstrual disturbances
- Pregnancy (after 26th week)
Musculoskeletal system
Below you can find the most common musculoskeletal system problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the musculoskeletal system problems are not disqualifying following a satisfactory medical flight test or simulator testing.
Fitness may be considered:
- Limb deficiency*
- Inflammatory, infiltrative, traumatic or degenerative disease*
- Abnormal obesity or muscular weakness*
Usually assessed as unfit:
NIL
Psychiatry
Below you can find the most common psychiatric problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the psychiatric problems are disqualifying unless in the case of a single episode with no permanent impairment and no recurrence.
Fitness may be considered:
- Mood disorder*
- Neurotic, stress-related or somatoform disorder*
- Personality or behavioural disorder*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Use or abuse of psychotropic substances
- Schizophrenia, schizotypal or delusional disorder
- Deliberate self-harm
Psychology
Where there is suspicion or established evidence that an applicant has a psychological disorder, the applicant should be referred for psychological opinion and advice.
The psychologist should submit a written report to the AME, AeMC or licensing authority as appropriate, detailing his/her opinion and recommendation.
Neurology
Below you can find the most common neurological problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the neurological problems are disqualifying unless in the case of a single episode with no permanent impairment and no recurrence.
Fitness may be considered:
- History of epilepsy (fitness may be considered after 10 years with no episode)*
- High propensity for cerebral dysfunction*
- Head injury*
- Spinal or peripheral nerve injury*
- Myopathy*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Epilepsy
- Epileptiform paroxysmal EEG abnormalities
- EEG focal slow waves
- Episode of disturbance of consciousness
Visual system
Below you can find the most common eye problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Hypermetropia
- Myopia
- Astigmatism
- Anisometropia
- Uncorrected visual acuity
- Keratoconus
- Refractive eye surgery
- Cataract surgery (after 3 months)
- Retinal surgery (after 6 months)
- Glaucoma surgery (after 6 months)
Fitness may be considered:
- Reduced central vision*
- Acquired substandard vision*
- Visual field defect*
- Heterophoria*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Impaired color vision
Otorhino-laryngology
Below you can find the most common otorhino-laryngological problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
Most of the otorhino-laryngologic problems are not disqualifying once fully treated and recovered.
Fitness may be considered:
- Use of hearing aids*
- Unhealed perforation of the tympanic membranes*
- Oral/upper respiratory tract infections*
- Sinus dysfunction*
- Vestibular disturbance*
Usually assessed as unfit:
- Significant abnormal caloric or rotational vestibular responses
- Significant speech disorder
Dermatology
Below you can find the most common dermatological problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Mild eczema
- Acne
Fitness may be considered:
- Severe eczema
Usually assessed as unfit:
In cases where a dermatological condition is associated with a systemic illness, the illness may be a reason to be assessed as unfit.
Oncology
Below you can find the most common oncological problems classified according to chance you can pass the Medical Class 1 assessment.
Usually still assessed as fit:
- Malignant disease after satisfactory treatment
- Pre-malignant conditions of the skin
Fitness may be considered:
NIL
Usually assessed as unfit:
Applicants who currently undergo treatment for malignant disease.
Dentistry and teeth
Many people wonder if it’s OK to have dental (tooth) fillings in order to be an airline pilot. There is no specific dental examination required during Medical Class 1 screening. So, it’s not a problem to have fillings in your teeth. However, make sure your teeth are fixed correctly. Trapped air under the filling may cause pain during pressure changes on the airplane.
For detailed information on medical certificates and acceptable means of compliance please refer to EASA Part-MED amended by ED Decision 2013/016/R.
