You may be aware that CASA Medical Class 5 has now been released. This is good news for General Aviation pilots. It is also good news for our Tow Pilots. More on CASA Class 5 medicals later.
In this article I will outline the medicals we use in Gliding Australia at present and how they apply to our different forms of flying. It is important to remember the different forms of medical certificates or declarations are CASA required and approved.
This can be confusing, and the Gliding Australia office can help. If in doubt, before approaching a medical professional for a certificate, call our office and discuss it with our staff. We are very happy to help you navigate the process, especially when it may be your first time.
I am not a solo pilot, or I do not wish to fly as Pilot in Command, what medical should I use?
In this case you would add a Medical Credential to your JustGo profile. In the Medical Credential you will be asked: “Do you intend to fly solo/in command?” You select No. The medical will record your intention and will present the message: “Not intending to fly solo/ in command. This declaration is valid for 12 months. If you are going to fly solo/in command a new credential will have to be created.”
I am a solo pilot, what medical should I use?
The first step is to check the medical conditions list that excludes you from making a Gliding Australia Declaration of Physical Fitness. If none of the below apply, you can make a Gliding Australia Declaration of Physical Fitness. The conditions are:
- Heart failure within the last 3 years
- Cancer in the last 5 years
- ECG changes
- Insulin dependent diabetes
- Transient ischaemic attacks (sometimes referred to as a mini stroke)
- Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease
- Significant head injury
- Renal calculus disease (kidney stones)
- Vestibular disorders (vertigo)
- Inability to hear conversational voice at a distance of 2 metres (a hearing aid may be used)
- Physical limitations or disabilities
If you have one of the conditions mentioned or you may be suffering from any physical condition that would preclude operating a glider as pilot in command, you will need either:
- CASA Class 2 or higher medical certificate
- Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness
- A Foreign country medical that is a ICAO Class 2 or higher Medical Certificate issued by your licensing country.
I am a Gliding Instructor, what medical should I use?
CASA and our Gliding Australia operation rules, MOSP 2, require Instructors to have a higher standard of medical certification. This applies to AEI, Instructor L1,L2,L3. To act in these roles, you will need:
- CASA Class 2 or higher medical certificate
- Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness
- A Foreign country medical that is a ICAO Class 2 or higher Medical Certificate issued by your licensing country.
I am a Tow pilot, what medical should I use?
If you are flying a VH registered tow plane, you may use:
- CASA Class 2 or higher medical certificate
- CASA Class 5 self-declaration medical certificate
- A Foreign country medical that is a ICAO Class 2 or higher Medical Certificate issued by your licensing country If you are flying a RAAus registered tow plane, you may use:
- RAAus medical certificate
I am a Tow pilot and a Gliding Instructor, what medical should I use?
Because you are an instructor, the instructor medical requirements apply. See above.
Because you are a tow pilot, the tow pilot requirements apply, See above.
Typical combinations of medicals for this category are:
- CASA Class 2 or higher medical
certificate
Or
- A Foreign country medical that is a ICAO Class 2 or higher Medical Certificate issued by your licensing country
Or
- CASA Class 5 self-declaration medical certificate, plus
- Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness
I am a Sports Coach, what medical do I use?
Coaches are required to be an AEI, except for High Performance
Let’s talk about two of the certificates, CASA Class 5, and the Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness.
CASA Class 5
CASA Class 5 was released recently, and it allows pilots of VH registered aircraft to self-declare their medical status. You must meet the fitness and eligibility requirements, complete and pass online training and self-declare and operate in accordance with specified operational limitations. Operationally, there are conditions:
- Day VFR only
- MTOW 2000kg
- 2 POB
- 10,000 feet ceiling
- No aerobatics
Full information is available at: casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/aviation-medicals-and-certificates/class-5-medical-self-declaration
Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness is a benefit to Gliding but is not easily
understood by our pilots and General Practitioners.
The key to this is the standards used are the Austroads standard. The form that is required to be signed is the Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness form. Gliding Australia Officers do not have the authority to accept any other form. If you have failed a CASA Class 2 Medical, you may obtain a Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness if you meet the Austroads standards.
General Practitioners may feel they are being asked to approve a person to fly an aircraft, that is not correct, they are asked to assess the pilot against the Austroad standard. Education of your GP before the visit is key. Sending the form and the OPS_F006(d2) – Medical FAQs-GPs document ahead will assist in educating the GP. This document is available from the Gliding Australia office and will be placed on the website shortly.
CASA Class 5 medicals are limited to 10,000 AMSL and no aerobatics. That restriction is okay for Tow Pilots; however, it is not okay for Instructing.
The medical for Instructing in gliders requires one of the following:
- CASA Medical Class 2 or above
- Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness
- ICAO Class 2 or higher medical certificate
The medical for Tow Pilots requires one of the following:
- CASA medical Class 5
- CASA Medical Class 2 or higher
- CAO Class 2 or higher medical certificate
- RAAus Medical – if flying RAAus tow aircraft
What if you are a tow pilot and an instructor?
Please log into JustGo and add a Medical credential. When you get to the question: “I intend to Instruct and fly Tugs”:
1. If you have a CASA Medical Class 2 or higher, upload that and use the dates on that medical, or
2. If you have a CASA Medical Class 5, you will also need a Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness
3. If you have a RAAus medical, you will also need a Gliding Australia Medical Practitioner’s Certificate of Fitness
NOTE:
a. In relation to points 2 and 3 - please Upload both documents, and
b. The end date to be used, is the shorter of the two documents
The JustGo system has been modified and is ready to accept your new medicals.
In advance, thanks for your consideration and assistance.
If you have any issues you can email
Dave Boulter
Executive Manager Operations