Do I Need a Medical
Certificate Before I Start?
You don't need a medical to fly a trial lesson. But before you fly solo you'll need a valid Class 2 medical certificate issued by a UK CAA-approved examiner — and if commercial flying is your long-term goal, it's worth thinking about a Class 1 from the start.
Your trial lesson — no medical needed
You can fly your trial lesson without any medical certificate. You'll be under the supervision of a qualified instructor at all times, and no formal medical clearance is required at this stage.
The medical only becomes a requirement before you fly solo — which typically happens after around 10–15 hours of dual instruction. That gives you time to settle into training before you need to arrange it.
We'd recommend arranging your medical early in training rather than waiting until it's urgently needed. It removes an unknown and lets you focus on flying.
The Class 2 medical — PPL standard
A UK CAA Class 2 medical certificate is the standard requirement for a Private Pilot Licence. It is issued by a CAA-approved Aeromedical Examiner (AME) following a routine health assessment, and must remain valid throughout your training and beyond.
Most applicants pass without difficulty. The assessment is broadly similar to a thorough GP check-up, covering the areas most relevant to safe flight. Validity varies with age — your AME will confirm how long your certificate is valid for when it's issued.
The Class 2 is the only medical standard required for PPL flying. You may have seen references to the LAPL medical online — that applies to the more restricted Light Aircraft Pilot Licence, not the PPL.
| Area | What's assessed |
|---|---|
| Vision | Visual acuity, colour vision, and field of vision. Glasses and contact lenses are permitted provided corrected vision meets the required standard. |
| Hearing | A basic hearing assessment to confirm you can communicate effectively in a cockpit environment. |
| Cardiovascular | Blood pressure and resting heart rate. An ECG may be required depending on age or medical history. |
| General health | Urinalysis, BMI, and a review of your medical history and any current medications. |
| Neurological | A review of any history of epilepsy, blackouts, or significant head injury. |
Planning for commercial flying? Consider a Class 1
If you have any interest in flying commercially — as an airline pilot, charter pilot, or in any paid capacity — you will ultimately need a Class 1 medical certificate. The Class 1 standard is more stringent than the Class 2, particularly around cardiovascular health and vision.
This is worth thinking about early. A condition that satisfies the Class 2 standard may not meet Class 1 requirements, and the sooner you know, the better placed you are to make decisions about your training pathway. Getting a Class 1 assessment before committing to significant commercial training is something we'd strongly encourage if that's your direction of travel.
Class 1 medicals are carried out at CAA-approved Aeromedical Centres (AeMCs) rather than individual AMEs. The CAA's website holds a full list of approved centres in the UK.
If you're working towards your PPL and commercial flying isn't currently on your radar, a Class 2 is the right certificate to get. You can always pursue a Class 1 later if your goals change.
Pre-existing conditions
A pre-existing medical condition doesn't automatically prevent you from flying. Many conditions are fully manageable within aviation medical standards, and the CAA assesses each case individually rather than applying blanket rules.
If you have a condition you're unsure about, the best first step is to speak with a CAA-approved AME before booking a formal assessment. In some cases the CAA's Aircrew Medical Section can also be approached for informal guidance ahead of any application.
Don't assume the answer is no — most people are surprised by how straightforward the process is.
How to find an approved examiner
Class 2 medicals are carried out by CAA-approved Aeromedical Examiners (AMEs). The CAA maintains a searchable directory on their website — you can filter by location to find someone near you. There are approved AMEs across Scotland including in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.
Appointments can have some waiting time, so it's worth booking once you've started training rather than leaving it until you're close to going solo. Most assessments take around an hour and require no special preparation beyond arriving rested and well-hydrated.
The full list of approved Aeromedical Examiners is available at caa.co.uk — search for 'find an AME' to access the current directory.