Class 1 Medical 💉
- Connor Raven
- Mar 12, 2017
- 4 min read
Having been offered a place on a course all that I really needed to get sorted was my (Initial) Class 1 Medical. My experience of obtaining my Class 2 Medical a few years back is one that I remember being pretty easy... And the good news is the Class 1 was by and large the same.
I arrived at the AME (Heathrow Medical Services) nice and early at about 12:25 for a 1pm appointment. The day started by handing the receptionist my passport and Med 160 form that I had completed prior. The Med 160 form asks for basic contact information as well as any medical information that the doctors/CAA should know. (if there is something that you think will stop you from obtaining your medical, put it down on this form). When completing this form it's best to be open and honest as, firstly, it'll save you time and money but also it could have negative impacts on your future if you try and cover up any medical condition. Additionally, the form will ask for current number of flying hours and any details of medication taken. It is quite straight forward and will not take long to complete.
Having completed the admin and shown my Class 2 Medical it was a case of waiting for one of the doctors to come and get me to start the assessments. Luckily there were 2 other guys waiting for their medicals who I could chat to. Shortly after 1pm the receptionist pointed me towards the toilet to complete the urine test and also took my height and weight. Afterwards, it was back to the waiting room. At about 13:20 the Optometrist called my name and we went upstairs for the first part of my medical.
- Optometry -
Letters chart
"Follow the light"
Duochrome test
Peripheral vision
Ishihara book
Puffer test
The optometry test was just like any other optical tests that I'd had previously at the opticians/ Specsavers, albeit there were a few extra tests done too. For the first part, I was required to read the letters off the screen on the other side of the room. Most people would have done this kind of eye test before. (I also completed a number of tests, including this one, without my contact lenses in; so make sure you bring contact lenses/glasses with you if you wear them).
Afterwards, I completed a peripheral vision test. I had to put on an eye patch, put my chin onto the chin-rest of a machine and stare at a yellow dot in the centre. Each time I saw a yellow light appear somewhere else on the screen I would need to press a button on the clicker provided. The test lasted for about 4 minutes. After, I swapped the patch to the other eye and completed the test again. The test is quite long and boring but you have to stay focused.
Having completed the peripheral vision test I was directed back to the main chair in the corner of the room where the optician completed a field of view and colour vision test. He looked into my eyes using the slit lamp and asked me to focus on a small letter on a stick he was holding. Most people would have done this kind of thing at the opticians before, so it is nothing to worry about. I then completed the Ishihara colour vision test where you have to read a series of numbers from a book made from a load of coloured dots as shown below.
Next, I had to complete a puffer test where I rested my chin onto another machine and a short puff of air was blown into my eye to check the pressures. The optician did this 3 times per eye. I personally did not like this test as although you are expecting it, it is quite a shock when the air hits you. It doesn't hurt but it did make me jolt a bit so make sure you rest your head and chin firmly against the machine.
Once completed, I was directed back down to the waiting room to await the next stage of the medical assessment.
- Physical Examination -
General health chat
Heart and pulse rate
Blood pressure
ECG
Body functions and reactions
Haemoglobin test
Hearing test
Lung capacity test
The physical examination started with a quick chat about any past or current medical conditions before being asked to strip down to my underwear and lie on the bed in the corner of the room ready to start. (Don't worry a privacy sheet is provided and for women, chaperones can join you in the room if you wish). The doctor then listened to my heart and checked my blood pressure and pulse. He then attached a number of sticky pads to my body to complete the Electronic cardiogram test (ECG) and also checked that my body functions were working properly by asking me to raise and lower my limbs, push against him and move my arms and head in different directions as well as a scratch test on the bottom of both of my feet to see if I react.
I then got dressed and headed back to the chair in the room where the doctor took a sample of my blood by pricking my finger to check my Haemoglobin levels. Don't worry it doesn't hurt and no needles are used. I was then asked to complete a hearing test where I entered a little booth, put on some headphones and was asked to press a button every time I head a noise. Lastly, I was required to complete a lung capacity test where I had to take a deep breath and blow as hard as I could and for as long as I could into a small handheld machine provided. It did start to hurt after a few attempts but you have to keep going...
Having completed all of the tests, I once again headed back out to the waiting room to await the result.
After waiting for about 20 minutes or so the receptionist called me in to sign my certificate. I had passed!! I am now medically fit to fly! I gathered my belongings and left the building... just as an Air New Zealand 777 was getting airborne from 27R at Heathrow.
If you have any questions about the medical examination then feel free to contact me directly.
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