Class 2 Medical Examinations

A Class 2 medical is required for most private pilots and is carried out in accordance with UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards. The assessment is designed to ensure that you meet the medical requirements to exercise the privileges of your license safely.

Booking Your Appointment

Before your appointment can take place, you must complete your medical application through the CAA Medical Services system (Cellma). If you have not previously used the system, you will first need to register for a CAA Customer Portal account and request access to Medical Services.

Please allow sufficient time for this process, as access approval can take several working days. You must also pay the CAA application fee which is currently £11.67 for class 2 medicals. Unfortunately, I cannot undertake the examination until your Cellma application has been approved.

If you have a significant medical history, have recently been under the care of a hospital specialist, or are unsure whether any condition may affect your medical, please get in touch on booking. Early advice often avoids unnecessary appointments and delays.

If you are a glasses wearer please ensure you bring your glasses and a recent optometry prescription to the appointment. If you have a significant distance correction you may need to request that your optometrist completes a further MED162 assessment. Applicants who have had laser eye surgery or other refractive procedures must provide a report from the centre that carried out the surgery. If you plan on wearing contact lenses for the assessment please be prepared to remove these as uncorrected vision must also be assessed.

On the Day

Most appointments take around an hour, although this can vary depending on whether additional investigations are required.

To help everything run smoothly, please:

  • arrive with a comfortably full bladder, as a urine sample is mandatory for certification

  • bring any glasses or contact lenses you use whilst flying as well as an up-to-date optometry prescription. Please be prepared to remove contact lenses as uncorrected vision is required to be assessed

  • wear clothing that allows a straightforward physical examination. Please note that while there is no need for any intimate examinations, female applicants that require an ECG should wear suitable undergarments, e.g. a sports bra, to aid ECG lead placement

Please also bring photo identification together with any previous CAA medical certificates that you have.

If you take regular medication or have been treated for any medical condition, please bring copies of relevant clinic letters, hospital correspondence or investigation results where available.

During Your Medical

Every assessment is individual. The exact examination depends on your age, license privileges and medical history.

Your appointment may include:

  • discussion of your medical history and any medication

  • urine testing

  • vision assessment

  • blood pressure and pulse measurement

  • physical examination

  • colour vision assessment where required

  • ECG or other investigations where indicated by CAA requirements

  • blood testing, e.g. haemoglobin or cholesterol

If further information is needed before certification can be completed, I will explain what is required and why.

ECGs and Other Tests

Some Class 2 examinations require a resting ECG:

  • Initial medical, then first examination over 40 years

  • At first examination over 50, then every 24 months, or when clinically indicated.

Additional investigations such as hearing tests (audiometry), lung function testing (spirometry) or specialist reports are occasionally necessary depending on your medical history or licensing requirements.

In some cases, an ECG must be overread by a Consultant Cardiologist before a certificate can be issued.

After Your Examination

At the end of your appointment, the outcome of your assessment will be explained as well as any next steps.

Many applicants can be certified immediately. If the CAA requires further information, such as a GP summary or specialist report, we will advise you on exactly what is needed and how the process will proceed.