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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.



Medical records system

The guidance on the medical records system (Cellma).offers further information.


Anyone wishing to become an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) will need to obtain a Class 3 medical certificate as part of the licensing requirements. The initial medical examination must be carried out at an Aeromedical Centre.

A step-by-step guide to the classes of medical certificates for pilots and air traffic controllers and how to apply can be found in this overview.

Pre-requisites

There is no minimum age for the application of a Class 3 medical certificate. However, those applicants under the age of 17 may require additional specialist paediatric review.

How long is it valid for?


Validity of medical certificate
Under 40 24 months
  40 plus 12 months
Electrocardiogram
At initial  
  Under 30 48 months
  30 plus At all examinations thereafter
Audiogram
At initial  
  Under 40 48 months
  40 plus 24 months
Comprehensive Ophthalmological examination
At initial  
  If exceeds +3D to -3D 4 years
  If exceeds -6D

2 years

Tonometry
At initial then first examination

 

  Over 40

 

Pulmonary function tests
At initial (FEV/FVC), then if clinically indicated

 

Urinalysis
At every examination

 

Blood lipids
At initial, then at age 40

 

Close How long is it valid for?

What happens next?

The initial medical examination includes:

  • a full physical medical examination by a doctor
  • detailed eyesight tests including a colour vision assessment
  • a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart
  • spirometry to assess your lung function
  • an audiogram to evaluate your hearing
  • urine testing
  • blood test to check lipids
Close What happens next?