Types of CASA Medical Pilot Licences

COMMERCIAL PILOT

Class 1

This medical standard applies to holders of an Air Transport Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence (other than balloons), Multi-crew Pilot (aeroplane) Licence, Flight Engineer Licence or Student Flight Engineer Licence. Unless otherwise advised, a Class 1 medical certificate is valid for one year.


PRIVATE PILOT

Class 2

This medical applies to holders of a Student Pilot Licence, Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot (Balloon) Licence and Flight Radio Operator Licence. Unless otherwise advised, a Class 2 medical certificate is valid for four years for applicants less than 40 years of age on the day of issue or two years for those aged over 40 years


AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Class 3

This medical standard applies to holders of an Air Traffic Control Licence or and Flight Service Officer. Unless otherwise advised, a Class 3 medical certificate is valid for two years.

TYPE 2 DIABETES RISK EVALUATION

HISTORY

updating the patient’s history

PREVIOUS CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

List any previous cardiovascular risks

PREVIOUS METABOLIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SEROLOGY

LFTs

Fasting Lipids

TC

HDL

LDL

TG

HBa1c

FBSL

SNAPE

  • Smoking – nil
  • Alcohol – minimial at x per day
  • Nutrition – adequate and varied good nutritional intake that appears toy be inaccordance with the NHMRC guidelines
  • Mental Health – NAD
  • Exercise – 30 min per day on average

SUN EXPOSURE

History of sun exposure

early signs of skin cancer

FAMILY HISTORY

Any familiy histpry of chronic disease

MEDICATIONS

List medications

EXAMINATION

undertaking physical examinations

Observations

Gen – well

Obs – NAD

Blood Pressure – xx/xx

Random BSL

done in office

RBSL =

Anthropometrics

Height

Weight

BMI

Waist circumference

Neck circumference

Cardiovascular system

Pulse Rate – xx regular

Heart Auscultation – HS I + II + O

Carotid pulse character  – NAD

Radial pulse character – NAD

Radio-radial delay – NAD

Lower Limb examination

Paedal pulses intact at dorsalis pedis and medial malleolus

Nil signs of peripheral neuropathy

Nil trophic changes

Nil ulcers

ABI =

Tone – NAD

Power – NAD

Reflexes – NAD

Coordination – NAD

Sensation – NAD

Upper Limb Examination

Nil signs of peripheral neuropathy

Nil trophic changes

Nil ulcers

Tone – NAD

Power – NAD

Reflexes – NAD

Coordination – NAD

Sensation – NAD

Ophthalmic Examination

Nil signs of diabetic retinopathy seen on fundoscopy

Nil arcus cornelius

Nil xantholasma

Nil signs of cataracts on red reflex examination

Skin

Nil bruising or bleeding

Nil skin tags

Nil spider naevi

No early signs of skin cancer

Abdo

Nil hepatosplenomegaly

Nil palpable liver

OFFICE INVESTIGATIONS

ECG

UWT

Fingerprick Glucose

ABI

AUSDRISK SCORE

The type 2 diabetes risk evaluation must include:

? evaluating a patient’s ‘high risk’ score as determined by the Australian Type 2

Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool, which has been completed by the patient within a

period of 3 months prior to undertaking the type 2 diabetes risk evaluation;

INVESTIGATIONS RESULTS

LFTs

Fasting Lipids

TC

HDL

LDL

TG

HBa1c

FBSL

IMPRESSION

Habitus – Obese with BMI x

T2DM risk = x

Cardiovascular risk factors = x

Lifestyle = x

Fracture risk =

CVD Risk =

PLAN

Refer for investigations

Advice regarding weight management provided

Advice regarding nutrition provided

Advice regarding lifestyle changes provided

Human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years

Mammogram for women dependent on her individual degree of risk

Alcohol Use and Misuse in Aviation Medicine

Return to flying after alcohol use requires documented abstinence from problematic use, no sequelae from use, and normalisation of blood tests (LFTS, MCV and carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT))

dr thomas perkins, casa designated aviation medical examiner

Definition

This protocol refers to suspected or confirmed “problematic use” of alcohol such as:

  • Positive workplace test
  • DAME opinion
  • DUI within 5 years of application
  • Self-reported use and confirmatory blood tests (e.g. LFT’s / MCV and CDT)

Aeromedical Implications

Effect of aviation on condition

  • Hypoxia – increase cognitive decrement caused by alcohol

Effect of condition on aviation

  • Subtle incapacitation – impaired alertness / reaction / decision-making
  • Loss of situational awareness & vertigo
  • Distraction due to impaired concentration.

Approach to medical certification

Based on the condition

  • As per CASR 67.150 Table 67.150.1.5 and 1.6.
    • demonstrated abstinence from problematic use
  • no sequelae from problematic use
  • Normalisation of blood tests

Based on Treatment

  • As per CASR 67.150 Table 67.150.1.5 and 1.6, 2.5 and 2.6, 3.5 and 3.6. – currently undertaking or completion of appropriate course of therapy
  • no safety-relevant medications (benzodiazepine or naltrexone)

Demonstrated Stability

  • Abstinence or harm minimisation as per risk stratification
  • Blood parameters and breath testing
  • Sponsor reports
  • Surveillance plan from applicant and/or employer detailing intended alcohol use and monitoring by doctor, laboratory and sponsors

Risk assessment protocol – Information required

New cases

  • Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine specialist [FAChAM] for an assessment in regards to:
    • diagnosis
    • past and present alcohol consumption
    • current clinical status
    • physical and psychological sequelae/co-morbidities
    • LFTS, MCV and carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT)
    • treatment, response to treatment and side effects
    • prognosis
    • ongoing management plan
  • FAChAM follow-up report, where applicable following treatment intervention, demonstrating
    • abstinence from problematic use of alcohol and other substances.
    • freedom from the ill-effects of substance misuse
    • recent blood tests (LFT’s, MCV and CDT)
  • Consider Police report

Renewal

  • Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine specialist FAChAM for an assessment in regards to:
    • diagnosis
    • alcohol consumption
    • review of physical and psychological sequelae/co-morbidities
    • current clinical status and compliance with established goals and requirements
    • review of LFTS, MCV and carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT)
    • review of sponsor reports and tests as listed below
    • treatment, response to treatment and side effects
    • prognosis
    • ongoing management and surveillance plan

(NOTE: In certain circumstances, reports may be accepted from psychiatrists or other alcohol or addiction medical specialists. Prior agreement must be sought to avoid unnecessary expense and delays.)

  • 3 monthly LFT’s MCV and CDT
  • Random breath alcohol testing
  • Sponsor / peer / employer reports (as appropriate)

Indicative outcomes

The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate fulfilment of the regulatory requirements. Careful attention to the conditions requiring testing or reports by a particular date, is essential to give confidence that aviation safety is being maintained. Failure to submit tests and reports on time will be treated as indicators of possible relapse.

Favourable

  • Demonstrated absence of problematic use for a pre-defined period. This is usually a minimum of 12 months, and includes sponsor and clinical reports
  • Ongoing normal blood and breath-alcohol tests

Unfavourable

  • Problematic use
  • 2 relapses following diagnosis
  • Alcohol-related convictions: 3 or more
  • Abnormal blood or breath-alcohol tests
  • Complications of alcohol-use e.g. psychiatric, portal hypertension, varices, clotting etc.

Pilot and Controller Information

  • The hazardous and problematic use of alcohol has been associated with aviation accidents
  • For pilots and controllers who have problematic use of alcohol, the most successful treatment has resulted from abstinence from all alcohol use. For this reason, certification may be possible when pilots and controllers demonstrate abstinence
  • The best way to demonstrate abstinence is through objective evidence of abstinence and careful attention to monitoring
  • Problematic use of alcohol is associated with serious medical problems quite apart from the hazard to aviation activities..

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Disclaimer

The clinical practice guidelines is provided by way of guidance only and subject to the clinical practice guidelines disclaimer.Last modified: 5 September 2018

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Aviation Medicine

“ADHD needs to be in full remission, off stimulant medication for a minimum of 6 months after the completion of treatment.”

dr thomas perkins, casa dame and aviation medical officer

Effect of condition on aviation

  • Premature and ill-considered actions
  • Restlessness and excess of movement causing distraction
  • Impaired split attention affecting multi-tasking and situational awareness

Approach to medical certification

Based on the condition

  • In full remission

Based on Treatment

  • No safety-relevant medication such as stimulants

Demonstrated Stability

  • Absence of symptoms for a minimum of 6 months after treatment completed. (Reflects DSMIV diagnostic criteria)

Risk assessment protocol – Information required

New cases

  • Copies of medical records from date of diagnosis to the present
  • Copies of records from Medicare detailing consultations and prescription of medications
  • An up to date assessment by the treating paediatrician or psychiatrist if available detailing:
    • History of condition
    • Precise confirmation of the diagnosis with reference to DSM-IV criteria
    • Co-morbidities, including drug and alcohol use
    • Requirement and response to treatment
    • Current clinical status with respect to DSM-IV criteria
    • Current functional status, with reference to collateral information if available from school, family, workplace etc.
  • Completion by the paediatrician/psychiatrist and the chief flying instructor of the  ADHD and autism spectrum disorder instructor’s questionnaire form 420 (PDF 617.14 KB) regarding symptoms in the context of and noting the implications to both the normal day to day life and the conduct of aviation. Attached questionnaire
  • Copies of academic records and employment history
  • Copies of traffic infringements and criminal records
  • Copies of any special investigations performed such as QEEG or neuropsychological testing
  • Follow-up plan
  • Previous specialist reports if available

Renewal

  • May be subject to annual review by an appropriate specialist on a case by case basis.

Indicative outcomes

Favourable

  • Stable off medication for at least 6 months and satisfactory reports
  • Instructor questionnaire and annual specialist reports for 5 years following cessation of treatment. After 5 years consideration of removal of surveillance requirement.

Unfavourable

  • Recurrence of symptoms
  • Stimulant medication

Pilot & Controller Information

  • Any recurrence must be reported to the DAME

Feedback

We value your feedback.

Disclaimer

The clinical practice guidelines is provided by way of guidance only and subject to the clinical practice guidelines disclaimer.Last modified: 5 September 2018