UK goes to Drivers License medicals

[Nomore767]

Wow, the UK has moved to DL medicals for PPLs by late summer. If only the US authorities could act as swiftly!

From the UK's "Pilot" magazine.

I'm going to the UK for a few weeks in a couple of weeks so I'll see what I can find out. Meanwhile...NPPL is National pilot license, sort of like the US Sport pilot; a GP is a General Practitioner, or your own physician in USA. DVLA is Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority, CAA is like FAA.

"The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced planned changes to medical requirements for PPL and NPPL holders to be introduced in late summer 2016. In most cases, these will bring cost and time savings for pilots and remove the need for GP or AME involvement. The changes will not apply to pilots with commercial licences or those displaying at airshows.


After the introduction date, the medical requirement for UK PPL and NPPL licence holders, and private balloon pilots, will be to meet the same standard as that required to hold a DVLA Group 1 Ordinary Driving Licence and pilots will be able to complete a form on the CAA website to declare that they meet the DVLA medical standard. Existing medical options (for example a UK declaration with GP counter signature) will remain available.

Under the changes, which will be published in a new version of the UK Air Navigation Order, pilots under age 70 will need to complete the CAA website form once, while pilots over 70 must confirm their declaration every three years.

Currently pilots with an NPPL are required to comply with DVLA Group 1 or 2 standards and have their self-declaration of fitness countersigned by their GP. Holders of a UK PPL currently need an EU class 2 medical or the NPPL medical requirements if they only use the privileges of an NPPL licence.

The change follows a public consultation, in which 96 percent of those responding agreed with the proposal. It is supported by a study of the risks associated with GA flying and a review of the causes of light aircraft accidents and the likelihood of these being triggered by a pilot being medically incapacitated."

[Hambone]

Interesting! This may influence my decision to retire back in the UK rather than the US.

I wonder if this allows a UK non-medical PPL holder to fly to countries in Europe that still require a medical.

[MrMorden]

The description makes it sound like it's different from our DL medical, like every so often you have to certify that you would pass a medical if you took one...

[drseti]

Aren't flight physicals in the UK covered under the national healthcare plan? If so, they have a strong financial incentive to eliminate the requirement.

[MackAttack]

Interesting! This may influence my decision to retire back in the UK rather than the US.

I wonder if this allows a UK non-medical PPL holder to fly to countries in Europe that still require a medical.

That's a very interesting question and the answer may, in part, turn on the outcome of the Brexit vote on June 23 ...

Cheers!

[Hambone]

Aren't flight physicals in the UK covered under the national healthcare plan? If so, they have a strong financial incentive to eliminate the requirement.

I don't think so. I had to pay when I was living in England.

[Half Fast]

Hmmmmm..........

Maybe we need thousands of private pilots insisting that medicals be provided free under Obamacare. The administration might prompt the FAA to make a few changes.

[SportPilot]

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[drseti]

Anyone who can afford to fly can afford to pay for their own health insurance.

Although this is undoubtedly true, <I know you understand and agree that> it's not what the driver's license medical is all about. Just because we can afford to pay for entirely unnecessary physical examinations with an AME every couple of years doesn't mean we should have to!

(Edited to clarify, by adding comment in pointy brackets)

[Wm.Ince]

I doubt there are any people receiving subsidies from Obamacare who are also aircraft owners or even renters.

I wouldn't bet on that.

[SportPilot]

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[drseti]

I did not imply anything about the necessity of a physical examination or if we should have to have one.

Yes, I know and understand. That comment was for the benefit of others, and not at all directed to you.

I have been a huge advocate of the PBOR2, but have only 17 days left to personally benefit from it.

Your advocacy is noted and appreciated. I do regret that your personal time constraints may not be satisfied, considering the current lack of progress in DC. For me, it's a non-issue, since my flying itch is completely scratched under Sport Pilot rules.

[SportPilot]

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[drseti]

That's why it's best not to quote someone then make a point that seems to imply some other meaning to the quote.

I think maybe you're being overly sensitive here (I'm pretty sure our lurkers got it), but point well taken.

[SportPilot]

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