To be allowed to fly an aircraft, regardless of whether it is a sports aircraft or a commercial aircraft, it is not enough to have a pilot’s license.
The Medical Class 1 or 2 requirements must also be fulfilled and verified. This assessment of medical fitness is carried out by an aviation physician specially approved by the Federal Aviation Office (LBA). To fly a sports aircraft or glider, it is sufficient to meet the requirements of Medical Class 2, which is less restrictive. However, anyone wishing to fly a commercial aircraft or fly commercial airplanes or helicopters must meet the Medical Class 1 requirements.
The Medical Class 1 requirements in detail
If you feel normally healthy and fit and have no complaints or chronic illnesses, you can face the medical fitness examination with relative peace of mind. Nevertheless, it is advisable to undergo this medical check before starting flight training. In order to obtain a Medical Class 1 or 2 for the first time, you must undergo a so-called initial examination. This can only be carried out at one of the Aero Medical Centers (see table below for address list). A repeat examination must be carried out every 12 months up to the age of 40. From the age of 41, even every six months. These repeat examinations, which serve to check whether the Medical Class 1 requirements are met, can then be carried out at an approved aviation physician near your place of residence.
The exact Medical Class 1 requirements are very extensive and can be viewed in detail in the EASA Acceptable Means of Compliance (download at the end of the article) or in the Official Journal of the European Union (also download at the end of the article). This shows that it is not possible to give a general answer to many of the questions we are often asked, such as the maximum number of dioptres permitted, as this depends largely on the type of visual impairment, for example.
If in doubt, it is therefore advisable to study the Medical Class 1 requirements carefully in advance and to undergo an initial examination before starting your training.
Finally, it should also be noted that some airlines have even more extensive medical requirements. These can be viewed on the websites of the respective airlines in the recruitment requirements section.
Please note: The Medical Class 1 requirements are only the specifications of the aviation authorities.
| Hamburg | Aeromedical Center Medical Service of Deutsche Lufthansa AG Weg beim Jäger 193 22313 Hamburg Head: Dr. med. Jan Gebhard Phone: 040 50702081 Fax: 040 50704565 |
| Berlin | Aeromedical Center Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain Landsberger Allee 49 10249 Berlin Head: Prof. Dr. med. H. Landgraf Phone: 030 13023-1575 Fax: 030 13023-2130 |
| Cologne | Aerospace Medicine Center of the German Aerospace Center e. V. Institute of Aerospace Medicine Porz-Wahnheide Linder Höhe 51170 Cologne Head from 01.09.2013: Dr. med. Franz Hauer Phone: 02203 601-3368 Fax: 02203-601-3810 |
| Frankfurt | Medical Service of Lufthansa AG Airport Area West 60546 Frankfurt Head: Prof. Dr. med. Uwe Stüben Phone: 069 696-47611 or -47601 Fax: 069 696-47612 or -47623 |
| Frankfurt | Aeromedical Center FLYMED – MAC Main Airport Center Unterschweinstiege 8 60549 Frankfurt Head: Prof. Dr. med. Dirk-Matthias Rose Phone: 069 697687-91 Fax: 069 697687-93 |
| Ettlingen | Aeromedical Center Dr. med. Andreas Gabel Kirchstraße 9 76275 Ettlingen Head: Dr. med. Andreas Gabel Phone: 07243 505990 Fax: 07243 505992 |
| Stuttgart | Aeromedical Center Germany Airport Business Center II Gottlieb-Manz-Str. 1 70794 Stuttgart Head: Dr. med. Roland Quast Phone: 0711 707092-3 Fax: 0711 707092-50 |
| Fürstenfeldbruck | Department of Clinical Aviation Medicine of the Aeromedical Institute of the German Air Force Fürstenfeldbruck Aeromedical Center Fürstenfeldbruck Straße der Luftwaffe 322 82256 Fürstenfeldbruck Head: Colonel Dr. med. H.-D. Marwinski Phone: 08141 5360-2028 or -2044 Fax: 08141 5360-2288 |
Downloads for the Medical Class 1 requirements:
- EASA Acceptable Means of Compliance
- EU Regulation 1178-2011
