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UK Civil Aviation Regulations

These are published by the CAA on our UK Regulations pages. EU Regulations and EASA Access Guides published by EASA no longer apply in the UK. Our website and publications are being reviewed to update all references. Any references to EU law and EASA Access guides should be disregarded and where applicable the equivalent UK versions referred to instead.



The following are the requirements for the medical certification of aircrew, including guidance material issued by the UK CAA Medical Department in relation to decrease in medical fitness of Cabin Crew.

Implementing Rules

MED.A.020 Decrease in medical fitness

  1. Licence holders shall not exercise the privileges of their licence and related ratings or certificates at any time when they:
    1. are aware of any decrease in their medical fitness which might render them unable to safely exercise those privileges;
    2. take or use any prescribed or non-prescribed medication which is likely to interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges of the applicable licence;
    3. receive any medical, surgical or other treatment that is likely to interfere with flight safety.
  2. In addition, licence holders shall, without undue delay, seek aero-medical advice when they:
    1. have undergone a surgical operation or invasive procedure;
    2. have commenced the regular use of any medication;
    3. have suffered any significant personal injury involving incapacity to function as a member of the flight crew;
    4. have been suffering from any significant illness involving incapacity to function as a member of the flight crew;
    5. are pregnant;
    6. have been admitted to hospital or medical clinic;
    7. first require correcting lenses.
  3. In these cases:
    1. holders of Class 1 and Class 2 medical certificates shall seek the advice of an AeMC or AME. The AeMC or AME shall assess the medical fitness of the licence holder and decide whether they are fit to resume the exercise of their privileges;
    2. holders of LAPL medical certificates shall seek the advice of an AeMC or AME, or the GMP who signed the medical certificate. The AeMC, AME or GMP shall assess the medical fitness of the licence holders and decide whether they are fit to resume the exercise of their privileges. EN L 311/174 Official Journal of the European Union 25.11.2011
  4. Cabin crew members shall not perform duties on an aircraft and, where applicable, shall not exercise the privileges of their cabin crew attestation when they are aware of any decrease in their medical fitness, to the extent that this condition might render them unable to discharge their safety duties and responsibilities.
  5. In addition, if in the medical conditions specified in (b)(1) to (b)(5), cabin crew members shall, without undue delay, seek the advice of an AME, AeMC, or OHMP as applicable. The AME, AeMC or OHMP shall assess the medical fitness of the cabin crew members and decide whether they are fit to resume their safety duties.
Close Implementing Rules

Guidance Material

Cabin crew should either:

  • Seek the advice of an AME, AeMC or OHMP
  • Seek advice from an occupational
    health professional acting under the
    supervision of an AME, AeMC or OHMP
Close Guidance Material