How to prepare for a pilot medical

Whether you are sitting an initial Class 1, a Class 2, a LAPL or a cabin crew medical, good preparation makes the appointment easier for everyone. This article is the background companion to our medical preparation page. The two cover similar ground, so use this one for the why and that one for the step-by-step detail.

This article is general information, not individual medical advice. Requirements depend on the examination and your history, and fitness is assessed case by case against CAA standards. Always check the latest guidance with the UK CAA.

What documents should you bring?

Having the right paperwork ready is the single most useful thing you can do. As a general checklist, bring:

• Photographic identification (for example a passport or driving licence)
• Your current or previous medical certificate, if you hold one
• A list of any medication you take, including doses
• Your glasses or contact lenses, and your current prescription, if you use them
• Any relevant specialist or hospital reports, test results or letters

If you have an existing medical condition, recent reports from the relevant specialist are worth their weight in gold. They often let the examiner reach a decision on the day rather than deferring while they write off for information, which is what causes most delays.

Complete the CAA online application first

For most examinations you will need to register and apply through the CAA's online medical records system (Cellma) and pay the CAA fee before your appointment. Setting this up in advance means your record is ready when you walk in. The CAA fee is separate from the examiner's fee, and you will find current detail on our prices page. If you have never used Cellma before, allow a little extra time, as you may need to create an account and confirm your identity.

How far ahead should you book?

Book early, especially for an initial Class 1 or Class 3, as the longer first exams are only done at an Aeromedical Centre and those slots can fill up. If you are renewing, a Class 1 revalidation done within 45 days before expiry keeps your original expiry date, so there is no penalty for going early and a real benefit to not leaving it late. For private pilots, booking a few weeks ahead usually gives you a comfortable choice of dates. Our renewals and revalidations page explains the timing rules in full.

Can your GP carry out the medical?

For most certificates, no. The exam is carried out by a CAA-certificated Aeromedical Examiner (AME), or for an initial Class 1 or Class 3, at an Aeromedical Centre. The one exception is the LAPL medical, which in limited cases your own GP may issue: they must hold your full NHS record, you must have no significant medical history, and your GP has to register with the CAA through its medical records system. Anyone ever assessed as "Unfit" on a CAA medical must see an AME for a LAPL medical rather than a GP. The certificate requirements guide sets out who can issue each class.

Vision and hearing

Vision and hearing are both checked at an aviation medical. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them with an up-to-date prescription, along with any spare pair you normally carry. Recent eye-test results are worth bringing too. These checks are a routine part of the assessment and are simply there to confirm you meet the standards that apply to your certificate.

Looking after yourself on the day

There is no need to overhaul your lifestyle before a medical, but a few sensible steps help you feel your best:

• Try to get a normal night's sleep beforehand
• Stay hydrated, and have a normal meal unless you have been told otherwise
• Keep taking any prescribed medication as usual, unless you are advised differently
• Allow plenty of time to arrive without a last-minute rush

These are general tips, not medical instructions. If you are unsure whether something you take or do might affect your assessment, raise it with the examining doctor rather than guessing.

If this is your first medical, it is normal to feel a little nervous, and the examiner will have seen it many times before. The appointment is a professional health check, not an exam you can revise for, so the best approach is simply to turn up rested and honest. Caffeine and a poor night's sleep can nudge a blood-pressure reading, so an ordinary routine the day before tends to give the most representative result.

What happens on the day?

The examination starts with a review of your medical history, followed by the clinical checks that apply to the certificate you need. An initial Class 1 or Class 3 assessment is the most involved and can take several hours, while a routine Class 2 or LAPL assessment is usually quicker. The examiner will talk you through the outcome and any next steps before you leave. For a fuller walk-through of the appointment itself, see what to expect.

What if something needs following up?

Occasionally the examiner needs a further test, a specialist report or more time before a certificate can be issued, and sometimes a decision is referred to the CAA. This is a normal part of how the system works and does not mean the answer is no. What happens next depends on your individual circumstances, so no one can promise a particular result in advance. The most useful thing you can do is come prepared, be open about your history, and follow whatever steps the examiner or the CAA set out.

Related guides

If you are not yet sure which examination you need, read the certificate requirements guide or the Class 1 vs Class 2 comparison. For detail on a specific assessment, start from our services overview.

Last reviewed: October 2026