Canadian medical requirements class 1

[flying free.LEVC]

Hello, I am a spanish guy who is going to start ppl in few months in my country, Spain. I got the class 1 medical exam some years ago, ( european) I mean JAA.

At at time, maybe in a year I would like to go to Canada to follow my studies as a pilot, (CPL, ME...)

What are the medical requirements for passing the class 1 THE FIRST TIME??

I got my european class 1 and they allow me until 8 dioptries, but just 3 the first time you do the exam, I have -1, 5 and -2,25 dioptries in each eye right now but they are still growing since I am still 20 years old.

Could I have problems with it?? What are the limits for the error refraction in Canada?

Should I pass the INITIAL canadian medical exam before I reach 3 dioptries??

Thanks for all.

[BTD]

Here is a chart listing all the requirements for various catergories.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/regse ... t42402.htm

The vision requirement of 20/200 uncorrected is not usually enforced anymore.

Hope that helps.

BTD

[flying free.LEVC]

Thanks for the answer BTD, but I still have doubts.

What does "20/200" means??

In the link you gave me it says "the applicant possesses a visual acuity without correction in each eye separately, not less than 6/60 (20/200) and the refractive error falls within the range of ± 3.0 diopters (equivalent spherical error)"

Does it means that 3 diopters is the limit??

I am sorry for my missunderstanding

[loopa]

Hey, welcome to Canada.

Let me tell you this, there are some canadian pilot's who have a CANADIAN CAT 1 that would never pass a CAA/JAA CAT 1 Medical.

Coming from Europe, you will come to find that our medical standards are very low. I recently talked to a doctor who said that he has an ATPL that comes in for renewals with +60BMI... That's not even accepted in Europe.



You won't have any problems.

Basically, you walk in, say hello, fill out a form, vision test, ecg, heart beat, blood pressure, hearing test, physical fitness (can you bend over and sideways), the doctor presses different parts of your body to see if there's anything irregular, if you're unlucky he checks your prostate, and then he says you either pass or don't.

There are no blood test and etc such as Europe.

[v6g]

if you're unlucky he checks your prostate, and then he says you either pass or don't.

That's usually only for the over 50's - thought seriously it's good to get that checked at any age.

[loopa]

Well my CAME checks it every time. The Good ol'COUGH.

[flying free.LEVC]

Thanks for your help, loopa and v6g.

I hope not having problems, but could you tell me what are the maximum diopters in the Initial exam??

You won't have any problems.

This would be great

I supose they are more permissive in the renewals, like in Europe, but I am worried for the first one.

I read the requirements but I don´t understand them very well, could anybody make me a summary please?? More specific information, particularly with diopters??

Thanks a lot

[macbainz1]

Visual Requirements

1.33 The function of the eyes and their adnexa shall be normal. There shall be no active pathological or artificially induced condition, acute or chronic, of either eye or adnexae which is likely to interfere with its proper function to an extent that would jeopardize safety in flight or the safe performance of duties.

1.34 The applicant shall be required to have normal fields of vision.

1.35 The applicant shall be required to have a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/9 (20/30) in each eye separately, with or without the use of correcting lenses. Where this standard of visual acuity can be obtained only with correcting lenses the applicant shall be assessed fit provided that (a) such correcting lenses are worn when exercising the privileges of the licence or rating applied for or held;
(b) the applicant possesses a visual acuity without correction in each eye separately, not less than 6/60 (20/200) and the refractive error falls within the range of ± 3.0 diopters (equivalent spherical error);
(amended 2003/06/01)
(c) the applicant has a spare pair of suitable correcting glasses available for immediate use when exercising the privileges of the licence.
NOTE: Correcting lenses" shall be interpreted to mean spectacles or contact lenses. Contact lenses shall not be approved prior to six months trial wear.
(2) Visual acuity shall be measured using Landolt Rings, a chart of Snellen letters, or other similar optotypes situated at an optical distance of 6 metres (20 feet) in either an eye lane or an approved vision testing instrument. Where an eye lane is used, the test chart shall be illuminated to a level equivalent to that provided by a 100 watt lightbulb placed 120 centimetres (4 feet) in front of, and slightly above the chart and the light shielded against the applicant. The examination room shall be darkened with exception of the illuminated chart.
(3) An applicant accepted as meeting the provisions of para. 1.35 (b) is deemed to continue to do so unless there is reason to suspect otherwise, in which case refraction is repeated as required. The uncorrected visual acuity is measured and recorded at each re-examination. Conditions which indicate a need to redetermine the refractive error include, but are not limited by: a refractive state close to the limit of acceptability, a substantial decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity and the occurrence of eye disease, eye injury or eye surgery.


1.36 The applicant shall be required to have the ability to read the N5 Chart or its equivalent at a distance of 30 to 50 centimetres (12 to 20 inches). If the requirement is met only by the use of correcting lenses, the applicant shall be assessed as fit provided that such lenses are available for immediate use when exercising the privileges of the licence. NOTE: N5 refers to the Faculty of Ophthalmologist's Reading Type.
(2) An applicant who needs correction to meet this requirement will require "look-over", bifocal or trifocal lenses to enable him to read the instruments and a chart or manual held in the hand, and also make use of distant vision through the windscreen without removing his lenses. Single-vision near correction (full lenses of one power only, appropriate to reading) significantly reduces distant visual acuity. Whenever there is a requirement to obtain or renew correcting lenses, an applicant shall advise the refractionist of reading distances for the visual flight deck tasks relevant to the type of aircraft in which he is likely to function or to other aviation tasks.

1.37 All contact lens wearers shall have replacement spectacles available for immediate use in the event the contact lens(es) become dislodged or are required to be removed in flight; and Hard contact lens wearers shall be required to have two pairs of spectacles available to overcome the frequent phenomenon of spectacle blur. In such cases, one pair of spectacles shall correct the vision immediately following removal of the lens(es), the second pair shall correct the vision after the eye is stabilized.
NOTE: When an applicant is licensed with the limitation "Valid only when wearing required contact lenses" further evaluation shall be required should the applicant, in the future, wish to wear spectacles only on a continuing basis while flying.
(2) Prescription sun lenses shall not be deemed to meet these requirements for flight at night.

[flying free.LEVC]

Thanks for your answer, the problem is that I have read it before but I can´t undestand it since I am not an expert in vision topics, in Spain we call it in a different way

applicant shall be required to have a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/9 (20/30) in each eye separately, with or without the use of correcting lenses

the applicant possesses a visual acuity without correction in each eye separately, not less than 6/60 (20/200) and the refractive error falls within the range of ± 3.0 diopters (equivalent spherical error);

What does it mean?? 3 diopters?

If I had 3,5 diopters in each eye in this moment, could I pass the Initial exam??

I don´t understand it yet

Anyway, thanks for your simpathy

[macbainz1]

What does it mean?? 3 diopters?

If I had 3,5 diopters in each eye in this moment, could I pass the Initial exam??

I don´t understand it yet

Anyway, thanks for your simpathy

Hey Flying Free

I'm no expert either, I know how frustrating it is looking up medical info and worrying etc.

Your best bet is to print the info out ( http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/regse ... t42402.htm )
and bring it to your doctor or best your optician and let them explain and see if you can pass. (translate it if they speak spanish).

Thats all the advice I can give you because I have no idea what the hell a diopter is

[flying free.LEVC]

Can´t anybody give more specific information please??

Came on All of you are canadian pilots, you must know the visual requirements of your own license,

Please, I really need it but I don´t understand the text

I just want to know the specific number of diopters the first time, in the initial exam

[FlaplessDork]

Can´t anybody give more specific information please??

Came on All of you are canadian pilots, you must know the visual requirements of your own license,

Please, I really need it but I don´t understand the text

I just want to know the specific number of diopters the first time, in the initial exam

Ask the Doctor.