An EASA Class 1 medical is mandatory to train and fly commercially. The initial assessment takes place at an Aeromedical Centre (AeMC), and renewals can be done by an Aeromedical Examiner (AME). It checks vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, mental health and general fitness. Most first-time applicants pass, and the usual reasons for a deferral are vision outside limits that could be corrected, undisclosed medical history and certain cardiac findings. Get it done before you spend a euro on training.
What the Class 1 assessment covers
| System | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Vision | Distance, near and intermediate acuity; colour perception; eye health |
| Hearing | Pure-tone audiogram across speech frequencies |
| Cardiovascular | Blood pressure, resting ECG (and periodically extended) |
| Respiratory & general | Lung function, BMI, physical examination |
| Mental health | History, substance use, psychological fitness |
| Bloods & urine | Screening for metabolic and other conditions |
Vision and hearing
Glasses and contact lenses are fine as long as your corrected vision is within limits and you carry a spare pair. Your colour vision must be good enough to distinguish the colours needed for safe operation. Refractive surgery can be acceptable after a stable recovery, but you must disclose it. Hearing is tested by audiogram, and hearing aids may be acceptable within limits.
What commonly defers or fails applicants
- Vision outside correctable limits, or refractive surgery that was not disclosed.
- Cardiac findings on the ECG that need a cardiologist's review.
- Mental-health or medication history that was not declared and comes to light later.
- BMI and blood-pressure readings flagged for follow-up.
Most of these lead to a deferral for further tests rather than an outright fail, and being complete and honest on the history form does more than anything else to keep the assessment smooth.
Initial and renewal, and how long it lasts
The initial assessment must be done at an AeMC; renewal and revalidation can be done by an AME. The certificate is valid for 12 months for most airline pilots, which makes it an annual date to track. It is valid for 6 months from age 60, and from age 40 for pilots flying single-pilot commercial passenger operations.
How to prepare
- Book the initial assessment before you commit to a school.
- Have an eye test and, if you need them, up-to-date prescription glasses.
- Gather your full medical history and any specialist letters.
- Avoid caffeine and heavy exercise just before the cardiovascular checks.
FAQ
Can I be a pilot with glasses? Yes, within the corrected-vision limits, as long as you carry a spare pair.
Does the Class 1 expire? Yes, every 12 months for most airline pilots under 60. Track the date, because flying on a lapsed medical is a serious violation.
Watch a first-timer's Class 1 walkthrough on the Veejo YouTube channel (opens in a new tab).
How Veejo helps
Your free Veejo profile holds your medical class alongside the rest of your file, and you can start before you book any training. The Career Log, coming soon to the Veejo app, will alert you before your medical expires so it does not lapse mid-career.