FAQs
Q: WHICH MEDICAL CATEGORY/CLASS DO I NEED?
A: Following is a brief outline of each medical category and the activities each permits. Complete details can be found on these links… (scroll down to relevant section).
Canadian Aviation Regulations Medical requirements / certificate (1)
Canadian Aviation Regulations Medical requirements / certificate (2)
CANADIAN (TRANSPORT CANADA) REQUIREMENTS
- CAT 1 CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ANY AND ALL COMMERCIAL AIR OPERATIONS. That is, if you want to be paid to operate an aircraft, you need a Cat 1 medical. This includes everything from a flight instructor to an airline transport pilot and everything in between.
- CAT 2 CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ATC)
- CAT 3 CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE (PPL). This allows the pilot to fly almost anything that he or she has trained and been endorsed for……….but not for remuneration.
- CAT 4 CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED TO FLY GLIDERS, ULTRA LIGHTS OR CERTAIN AEROPLANES. The airplanes allowed by this certification are restricted to single engine, light aircraft with 4 seats or less and not high performance. In addition, such operation is restricted to daytime VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and only one passenger may be carried.
- The Canadian (Transport Canada) Category 4 certification can also be very useful if an exam by a CAME is not immediately possible (e.g. during COVID). It does not require a CAME exam if all the requirements listed on form 26-0297 are met and the form is completed as directed by the applicant and (if applicable) any physician licensed in Canada. Follow this link to obtain the form
UNITED STATES (FAA) REQUIREMENTS
- FIRST CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED FOR AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOTS.
- SECOND CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL AIR OPERATIONS.
- THIRD CLASS MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED FOR A PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE.
Q: HOW DO THE MEDICAL EXAMS FOR EACH CATEGORY / CLASS DIFFER?
A: The physical exam for categories 1, 2 and 3 (Canada) or First, Second and Third class (U.S.) do not differ. What does differ are the standards to be met and the ancillary investigations required (such as ECG, audiogram).
For Canadian details follow this link… tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-424-medical-requirements-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars
For FAA details follow this link…Synopsis of Medical Standards FAA Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Q: I HAVE A MEDICAL PROBLEM. WILL IT PREVENT ME FROM OBTAINING OR KEEPING MY MEDICAL CERTIFICATION?
A: BEAR IN MIND THAT THE GOAL OF BOTH TRANSPORT CANADA AND THE FAA IS TO ENSURE AVIATION SAFETY. IT IS NOT TO GROUND PILOTS OR PREVENT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS FROM DOING THEIR JOBS. THANKS TO ADVANCES IN MEDICAL TREATMENTS, MANY CONDITIONS WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DISQUALIFYING IN THE PAST ARE NOW ACCEPTABLE, PROVIDED CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET. EACH CASE IS TREATED INDIVIDUALLY. IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION IN DETAIL, FEEL FREE TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT.
Q: DO I NEED AN ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)? *
A: TRANSPORT CANADA REQUIREMENTS FOR ECG *
FOR CAT 1 AND 2
UNDER AGE 30: At first aviation medical
BETWEEN AGES 30 - 40: Every 2 years
AGE 40+: Every year
FOR CAT 3 (PRIVATE PILOT)
UNDER AGE 40: Not required
OVER AGE 40: At first exam then every 4 years
FAA REQUIREMENTS FOR ECG *
FIRST CLASS
At age 35 and then annually after age 40
SECOND AND THIRD CLASS
Not routinely required
*N.B. AN ECG MAY BE REQUIRED ANY TIME IF CLINICALLY INDICATED.
FOR CAT 1 AND 2
UNDER AGE 30: At first aviation medical
BETWEEN AGES 30 - 40: Every 2 years
AGE 40+: Every year
FOR CAT 3 (PRIVATE PILOT)
UNDER AGE 40: Not required
OVER AGE 40: At first exam then every 4 years
FAA REQUIREMENTS FOR ECG *
FIRST CLASS
At age 35 and then annually after age 40
SECOND AND THIRD CLASS
Not routinely required
*N.B. AN ECG MAY BE REQUIRED ANY TIME IF CLINICALLY INDICATED.
Q: WHERE MAY I OBTAIN THE ECG?
A: AT ANY LAB THAT PROVIDES ECG SERVICE. THE ECG TRACING WITH INTERPRETATION IS REQUIRED TO FORWARD TO TC AND/ OR THE FAA. A REQUISITION FOR THE ECG WILL BE PROVIDED IF NEEDED.
Q: I REQUIRE MEDICATION. WILL THAT INTERFERE WITH MY CERTIFICATION?
A: BOTH TRANSPORT CANADA AND THE FAA TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE MEDICATION ITSELF, THE CONDITION FOR WHICH IT IS BEING TAKEN, AND THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSE TO THE MEDICATION IN DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT IT IS ACCEPTABLE. CERTAIN MEDICATIONS (E.G. NARCOTICS) ARE DISQUALIFYING. OTHERS ARE CONSIDERED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. IF YOU WISH TO DISCUSS YOUR SITUATION IN DETAIL, FEEL FREE TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT.
THE LINKS BELOW PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
THE LINKS BELOW PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THESE AND MANY OTHER QUESTIONS.
RESOURCES
Transport Canada www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/menu.htm
Federal Aviation Administration www.faa.gov
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/cami/
Medical Requirements Transport Canada tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-424-medical-requirements-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars
Medical Requirements FAA www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/standards/
FAA MEDXPRESS
MedXpress application form: https://medxpress.faa.gov
For further information concerning requirements:
www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/medxpress.pdf
FLIGHT SCHOOLS
Spectrum Airways www.spectrumairways.com
Great Lakes Helicopter www.greatlakeshelicopter.ca
SOSA Gliding Club www.sosaglidingclub.com
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology www.senecacollege.ca/school/aviation
Brantford Flight Centre www.flybfc.com
Conestoga College www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/aviation-general-arts-and-science
Mohawk Flight Centre www.mohawkflightcentre.ca/Default.html
St. Catharines Flying Club www.stcatharinesflyingclub.com
University of Western Ontario www.mos.uwo.ca/undergraduate/cam/index.html
Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre www.wwfc.ca
Confederation College www.confederationcollege.ca/program/aviation-flight-management
Brampton Flight Centre www.bramptonflightcentre.com
for a more complete listing of flight schools and information concerning a career in aviation please see the following:
PILOT CAREER CENTRE www.pilotcareercentre.com
Federal Aviation Administration www.faa.gov
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/cami/
Medical Requirements Transport Canada tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-424-medical-requirements-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars
Medical Requirements FAA www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/standards/
FAA MEDXPRESS
MedXpress application form: https://medxpress.faa.gov
For further information concerning requirements:
www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/medxpress.pdf
FLIGHT SCHOOLS
Spectrum Airways www.spectrumairways.com
Great Lakes Helicopter www.greatlakeshelicopter.ca
SOSA Gliding Club www.sosaglidingclub.com
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology www.senecacollege.ca/school/aviation
Brantford Flight Centre www.flybfc.com
Conestoga College www.conestogac.on.ca/fulltime/aviation-general-arts-and-science
Mohawk Flight Centre www.mohawkflightcentre.ca/Default.html
St. Catharines Flying Club www.stcatharinesflyingclub.com
University of Western Ontario www.mos.uwo.ca/undergraduate/cam/index.html
Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre www.wwfc.ca
Confederation College www.confederationcollege.ca/program/aviation-flight-management
Brampton Flight Centre www.bramptonflightcentre.com
for a more complete listing of flight schools and information concerning a career in aviation please see the following:
PILOT CAREER CENTRE www.pilotcareercentre.com