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This Clinical Practice Guideline applies to holders of Class 1, 2, or 3 medical certificates that become pregnant.
CASR 1998 contains the following provisions related to pregnancy.
(d) for a woman—pregnancy and the physiological and psychological consequences of pregnancy or of termination of pregnancy.
Gynaecological and obstetrical
If pregnant—the pregnancy is not likely to interfere with the safe exercise of privileges, or performance of duties, under the licence held or applied for
Note: See regulation 67.235 regarding the periods during which a pregnant woman must not exercise the privileges of a licence
(1) A medical certificate held by a pregnant woman who holds, or is an applicant for, a licence is taken to be suspended:
(a) during the period beginning immediately after the end of the 30th week of gestation and ending when a DAME certifies that she is fully recovered following delivery or the termination of the pregnancy; or
(b) if in a particular case CASA directs in writing that a different period should apply—during the period so directed by CASA; or
(c) if, before the start of the period mentioned in paragraph (a), the pregnancy ends in miscarriage or premature labour, or is terminated by medical intervention—from the time of the miscarriage, premature labour or intervention until a DAME certifies that the woman is fully recovered.
Note: This regulation does not preclude a pilot who is pregnant from undertaking or receiving instruction in a flight simulator at any stage of the pilot‘s pregnancy.
2) Despite subregulation (1), a pregnant woman who holds an air traffic controller licence may continue to exercise the privileges of the licence until the end of the 38th week of gestation if:
(a) the medical practitioner who is attending the woman certifies her continued medical fitness to do so each week beginning at the 31st week of gestation; and
(b) a DAME certifies the woman‘s continuing fitness to do so each week beginning at the 31st week of gestation; and
(c) another person who holds an air traffic controller licence, and is medically fit and able to take over responsibility for the function, is on duty and available at the times when she does so.
Pregnancy under normal circumstances can be compatible with flying and controlling duties. However, the certificate holder’s obstetrician should be made aware of the relevant considerations of the aviation environment in order to properly advise of the safety (or otherwise) of flying or controlling when pregnant.
The following effects should be considered.
Flying and controlling are physically and physiologically demanding tasks, and changes due to pregnancy which normally cause only inconvenience can have significant safety implications in the aviation environment. A certificate holder should ground herself as soon as she becomes aware she is pregnant, and seek advice of her DAME prior to returning.
Restricting flying/controlling duties during the first trimester should be considered, given the high prevalence of morning sickness, and the higher risk of miscarriage.
A certificate holder can resume flying or controlling duties provided:
Pregnancy induces progressive changes in a woman’s body. To meet these changing circumstances, a DAME should assess a certificate holder no less frequently than every 2 weeks to re-affirm her fitness to continue flying or controlling.
LEGAL DISCAIMER: Multiple risks associated with pregnancy and the operational environment. These are beyond the scope of Civil Aviation Law, but need to be considered by a pregnant pilot.
The Clinical Practice Guideline is provided by way of guidance only and subject to the Clinical practice guidelines disclaimer