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Is a medical examination necessary to learn to fly?

All pilots require a medical examination prior to gaining a licence and regular examinations thereafter to retain their licence.  The exact requirements vary with age and licence.  Generally, if you are flying for-

• Private purposes, ie personal recreational activities, you will need to obtain a Class 2 medical.
• Commercial purposes, ie you want to make a career out of flying, then you will need a Class 1 medical.

What happens after my medical examination?  How often do you need to be examined?

At the completion of the medical, the examining doctor will issue a temporary medical certificate.  This will be followed, at a later date, by the permanent certificate valid for up to four years.  More specifically, for Private Licence, the medical certificate is issued for a period of four years for persons under the age of 40 years and two years for persons over 40.  Note, if you are under the age of 40, however suffer from certain medical conditions, your renewal period may be less than every 4 years.

A Class 1 medical (required for your CPL), regardless of age, is only valid for one year.

Your pilot licence number or ARN (Aviation Reference Number) will be issued with that certificate.

The medical branch of CASA in Canberra processes these details.

Our Chief Flying Instructor will issue your Student Pilot Licence, upon siting your medical certificate.

The cost of medical examinations varies but is generally around $75.00 for the initial issue of a Class 2 medical. Enclosed in this package is a list of doctors approved by CASA to conduct aviation medical examinations.

You can make your choice based on location or personal preference.

A pilot's licence remains permanently valid so long as the medical certificate appropriate to that class of licence is current.  If a medical certificate has expired the pilot may only fly with a flight instructor until the medical has been completed and a temporary certificate issued.

Can any doctor conduct an aviation medical examination?

Only doctors certified by CASA as being "Designated Approved Medical Examiners" (DAME) can conduct an aviation medical examination.  Similarly, only CASA approved ophthalmologists can conduct the examination required for the Class 1 medical.

Click here to view CASA's information on Aviation Medicals relating to:-

• Requirements for medical examinations

• Photographic ID needed for examinations

• Searches for Designated Aviation Medical Examiners (DAMEs), Designated Aviation Ophthalmologists and Designated Aviation Eye Examiners (DAOs and DAEEs), Audiologists and DAMEs approved to conduct medicals for Overseas Flight Crew Licensing Authorities

Moorabbin Airport has an approved medical practitioner onsite.  Click here for details.

Alternatively, click on the relevant link below, to find the approved practitioner nearest to you.

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