The LAA has welcomed future changes to private pilot medical requirements which the CAA has pledged to implement later this year. The move will remove the need for UK private pilot licence or national private pilot licence holders to be approved by a specialist aviation medical examiner or have a self-declaration of fitness signed by a general practitioner.

 

The licence holder will instead complete a form on the CAA website to declare that they meet the DVLA standard for a Group 1 Ordinary Driving Licence (ODL). Pilots under the age of 70 will need to do this once, while pilots over 70 must confirm their declaration every three years. Existing medical options will also remain available when the changes come into effect in late summer 2016 when a new version of the Air Navigation Order is published.

 

“The LAA and its members, many of whom supported this initiative during the recent public consultation on the ANO, welcome this common-sense initiative which will save private and leisure pilots both time and money” said LAA Chief Executive Steve Slater. “It is very much in line with a commitment shared both by the LAA and CAA GA Unit, to offer lighter-touch oversight and proportionate regulation. Here’s to more initiatives to help support affordable sport flying in the future.

 

The formal announcement can be found on the CAA website.

 

10th May 2016