Getting your medical – what you need to know

The medical certificates you require depend on the licence pathway you plan to follow:

1. UK CAA Class 1 Medical
   For all flight training programmes offered in the UK, you must hold a UK CAA Class 1 Medical Certificate. A valid Class 1 Medical is mandatory before you can begin commercial flight training, so arranging this early is essential to keep your plans on schedule.
2. EASA Class 1 Medical (if enrolling on the Ryanair Future Flyer Programme and completing a dual licence – UK CAA / EASA)
   If you are looking to obtain a dual UK CAA and EASA licence through our Ryanair Future Flyer Academy programme, you will also need an EASA Class 1 Medical, issued by an approved Aeromedical Centre (AeMC).
3. FAA Class 3 Medical
   As we conduct all our single-engine flight training at our U.S fair-weather base in Florida, you will also need an FAA Class 3 Medical.

If you’re unsure which medicals apply to you, our Flight Training Adviser team can provide guidance. However, securing your medical early is your responsibility.

Your UK CAA and EASA examination must be completed at an approved Aeromedical Centre (AeMC).

Find a location: https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/find-an-ame/

FAA Class 3 Medical
To book your FAA Class 3 AME (Aeromedical Examiner) online, you can use our U.S. agent:

U.S. Skyborne agent
ICO: Kaitlyn Vulpetti, Skyborne Wellfair Officer
Email Address: Kaitlyn.Vulpetti@skyborne.com
Address: 2825 Airport Dr., Vero Beach, FL 32690-1942

FAA Class 3 initial medical, location finder:
https://designee.faa.gov/designeeLocator

*Please note, that if you try and book your UK CAA and FAA medicals on the same day, this could mean your appointment is months away, rather than weeks.

Before attending your appointment, you’ll need to:

• Register on the appropriate online portal (UK CAA and/or EASA, FAA)
• Pay the relevant authority fee at least 10 days prior to your appointment
• Complete your medical history declaration form
• Gather supporting medical documentation (e.g. optician prescription if you wear glasses or contact lenses)

Preparing these steps in advance will help ensure a smooth process.

To become a pilot, it is a requirement to hold a medical certificate.

Flying an aircraft demands a high and consistent standard of physical and mental fitness. Aviation authorities (such as the UK CAA and EASA) require medical certification to ensure pilots can operate safely, protect passengers, and manage high-pressure situations in the air.

Holding a medical and regularly renewing it is part and parcel of commercial pilot life.

Here’s why it’s essential:

• Safety of Passengers and Crew
  Pilots are responsible for hundreds of lives. A sudden medical issue, such as loss of consciousness, heart problems, or impaired vision, could have serious consequences. The medical assessment reduces the risk of in-flight incapacitation.
• Ability to perform under pressure
  Flying involves complex decision-making, situational awareness, and clear communication, often in time-critical environments. A medical evaluation ensures pilots are mentally and psychologically fit to handle these demands.
• Vision and hearing standards
  Pilots must meet strict eyesight and hearing requirements. Accurate instrument reading, radio communication, and visual scanning are fundamental to safe flight operations.
• Cardiovascular and general health
  Heart health, lung function, blood pressure, and overall physical condition are assessed to confirm that a pilot can tolerate altitude changes, long duty periods, and varying cabin pressures.
• Ongoing monitoring
  A Class 1 Medical isn’t a one-time check. It must be renewed regularly (typically every 12 months, or every 6 months over age 40 in some operations). This ensures continuous oversight throughout your pilot career.
• Regulatory requirement
  Beyond safety, holding a valid Class 1 Medical is a legal requirement. Without it, you cannot begin commercial flight training or exercise the privileges of a commercial licence.

Issued by: UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Who it’s for: Commercial pilots (CPL, ATPL, MPL holders). All UK applicants are required to hold a UK CAA Class 1 Medical
Purpose: Required to fly for hire or reward in the UK

The CAA Class 1 Medical is the highest level of medical certification in the UK. It’s mandatory if you want to become a professional pilot and fly commercially.

During your assessment, an Aviation Medical Examiner will carry out a range of checks, including:

• Comprehensive medical history review – Discussion of any previous illnesses, operations, or ongoing conditions
• Vision (including colour vision) testing – Ensuring you meet required eyesight and colour perception standards
• Hearing assessment – Testing your ability to hear across frequencies
• ECG (heart monitoring) – Evaluating heart rhythm and function
• Lung function testing – Measuring respiratory performance
• Blood tests – Including haemoglobin and cholesterol checks
• Urine tests – Assessing kidney function and identifying potential health concerns
• General physical exam – Height, weight, blood pressure, and overall health review
• Psychological assessment – Comprehensive mental health evaluation

If all requirements are met, you’ll typically receive your certificate on the same day. Should additional investigations be required, the examiner will explain the next steps.

Validity:
If you are aged under 40 = 12 months
If you are 40 and over = 6 months

Renewals must be completed before expiry to maintain licence validity.

Without a valid Class 1, you cannot exercise the privileges of a UK commercial licence.

Issued by: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Who it’s for: Private pilots and recreational pilots. As we conduct our single engine training in Florida, U.S, all UK applicants are required to hold an FAA Class 3 Medical before they start training on any of our UK programmes.
Purpose: Required to fly privately (not commercially)

The FAA Class 3 Medical is designed for non-commercial flying. It’s less stringent than FAA Class 1 or 2 medicals (which are required for commercial and airline transport pilots in the U.S).

During your assessment, an Aviation Medical Examiner will carry out a range of checks, including:

• Medical history review
• Vision test (distance and near vision)
• Hearing check
• Blood pressure measurement
• Basic physical examination

An ECG is not routinely required unless indicated by age or medical history.

If all requirements are met, you’ll typically receive your certificate on the same day. Should additional investigations be required, the examiner will explain the next steps.

Validity:
If you are aged under 40 = 60 months
If you are 40 and over = 24 months

The FAA system differs from the UK/EASA system in structure — a Class 3 is sufficient for private flying only.

Issued by: An EASA-approved Aeromedical Centre (AeMC) under an EASA member state authority
Who it’s for: Commercial pilots operating under EASA licences. At Skyborne, if you are to start the Ryanair Future Flyer programme, you will need an EASA Class 1 Medical in addition to your UK CAA Class 1 Medical
Purpose: Required for professional flying within EASA-regulated states

The EASA Class 1 Medical is equivalent in standard to the UK CAA Class 1. Since Brexit, UK CAA and EASA medicals are separate, meaning pilots who want dual UK and EASA licences must hold both medical certificates.

During your assessment, an Aviation Medical Examiner will carry out a range of checks, including:

• Comprehensive medical history review – Discussion of any previous illnesses, operations, or ongoing conditions
• Vision (including colour vision) testing – Ensuring you meet required eyesight and colour perception standards
• Hearing assessment – Testing your ability to hear across frequencies
• ECG (heart monitoring) – Evaluating heart rhythm and function
• Lung function testing – Measuring respiratory performance
• Blood tests – Including haemoglobin and cholesterol checks
• Urine tests – Assessing kidney function and identifying potential health concerns
• General physical exam – Height, weight, blood pressure, and overall health review
• Psychological assessment – Comprehensive mental health evaluation

If all requirements are met, you’ll typically receive your certificate on the same day. Should additional investigations be required, the examiner will explain the next steps.

Validity:
If you are aged under 40 = 12 months
If you are 40 and over = 6 months

Renewals must be completed before expiry to maintain licence validity.

A Class 1 Medical assessment is comprehensive and typically lasts around four hours. The evaluation is designed to thoroughly assess your physical and mental fitness to fly.

Here are our top tips for a successful medical:

• Be transparent – Always declare medical history honestly.
• Get good rest – A full night’s sleep makes a difference.
• Hydrate sensibly – Drink water and avoid excess caffeine.
• Bring documentation – ID, medical forms, prescriptions, and relevant reports.
• Stay calm – If you’re in good health, there is usually nothing to worry about.

If you have already obtained the required medicals for your training path, please send copies of your certificates to our Flight Training Adviser team who will add them to your records.

If you don’t yet have these documents, you will need to make sure you’ve booked your UK CAA Class 1 Medical (and EASA Class 1 Medical if applicable) and your FAA Class 3 Medical in advance of training. You will need to hold your medicals before we can offer and confirm your training start date.