Well, it is May, an odd numbered year and it's........ medical time. Oh, JOY!!
I had sort of put this off (or, maybe forgotten about it) and only got around to getting an appointment after my current medical had expired. I decided to go to a local Grade 1 Medical examiner (ME1), someone I knew professionally (I am a medic in my day job) but haven't come across for a few years. He is also a microlight pilot. I had previous medicals with someone else (an occupational medicine guy) but thought it better to go to someone with some sort of aviation experience.
So, the medical itself wasn't too much of a hassle (see later) but the new CAA rules are a bit of a burden. Let me run you through it:
Before you even present yourself for a medical you have to pay a "Medical Certification Application Fee" which the CAA charge you to cover their "Administration Costs"; $ 313
OK, I have done that, got the appointment and it is off to the medical laboratory for the blood tests; $ 25
Found I don't need an ECG this time - good - so I present myself for the medical appointment; $ 245
That goes (almost) OK, but...
I then discover that records of my previous spirometry 4 years ago have been "lost" so I need that doing again; $ 60
My blood pressure problem ("White Coat Hypertension") rears its ugly head and it is off to my "own doctor" for a Ambulatory 24-hour BP monitor, more cash and more time; $ 85
So, finally, I get a call from the "Aviation Nurse" today at work to tell me my Class 2 (PPL; non-IFR) certificate is all ready to be collected (another advantage of going to an ME1; he can issue the certificate straight away, the previous chap had to be "rubber stamped" by an ME1) - Hooray!!
So, $728 lighter (any back pain should improve with that lightening of my wallet, right?); I am "good to go" once again.
For discussion; $700+ is quite a lot of dosh and, although I can afford it, 43% of that is the CAA "Medical Certification Application Fee "; a little disproportionate, what?. Also, I guess some recreational pilots might baulk at that sort of money - about 3 hours single engine private hire flying time (more in an ultralight). Any comments on that? (and, yes, I know there has been a lot of talk on various aviation bulletin boards).
Back in the air soon, weather permitting, of course......
