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Q. Do I need to specifically use the CASA Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate certificate (Form 166C), or can I use a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate provided by Austroads or my state based transport authority?
You must use the CASA Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate certificate (Form 166C) for your medical to be valid. Download the complete package (forms and guidance material for your GP) from the CASA website to take the complete package with you when you visit your doctor.
Q. What medical conditions disqualify you from obtaining a driver licence medical?
Please read the recreational pilot medical disqualifying conditions.
Q. If I do not have a driver licence, can I apply for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
As long as you meet the required minimum medical standard, you are eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. There is no requirement for you to hold a driver licence.
Q. I have a driver licence without any conditions listed. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate? or I already hold a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate issued by a GP. Can I fly using that medical?
The Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate has further aviation sensitive medical requirements in addition to the Austroads driver licence medical standard.
You cannot fly if you hold a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate issued by a GP.
The conditions which are aviation sensitive or require assessment or case management are listed below. Your GP cannot assess you for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate without taking into account these conditions.
Cancer
The standard is not met if there is evidence of cancer in the brain, or if there is history of cancer in other parts of the body within the last 5 years. You are eligible to hold the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if the cancer relates only to basal cell skin cancers which have been removed, with no metastasized sequelae.
ECG changes
You are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if ECG changes are present.
Heart failure
The standard is generally not met if there is history of heart failure, however you will be eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if all of the following conditions apply:
Hearing
If you are able to hear conversational voice at a distance of 2 metres, with or without a hearing aid, you are eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. If you fail to meet this standard, you are not eligible.
Physical limitations
Pilots with any physical limitation or disability are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate, however they can be assessed by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) for a Class 2 medical with conditions, such as the use of an appropriate aircraft modification.
Transient Ischaemic Attacks
If you have had a Transient Ischaemic Attack, you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease
If you have a history of multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Head Injury
If you have experienced a head injury resulting in loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia, or abnormal findings on a head CT or MRI investigation, you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Renal Calculus Disease (Kidney Stones)
Kidney stones can result in sudden, acute, incapacitating pain. For this reason, if you have a history of renal calculi or renal colic you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Vestibular Disorders (Vertigo)
Aviation activities are not conducted in an exclusively upright position. The presence of vertigo or a history of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) means you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Q. I have a 'conditional' driver licence. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
If the only condition on your driver licence is that you must wear corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses) to meet the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate standard, you are eligible to be assessed for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. Note that the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate has additional medical requirements above the Austroads driver licence medical standard.
If there are any other conditions on your driver licence, you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. You can still visit a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) to be assessed for a Class 2 medical, perhaps with conditions.
Q. I have a medical condition. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
The following list includes examples of medical conditions that will exclude you from obtaining a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate , however you can still be assessed by a DAME for eligibility to fly under a Class 2 medical (with conditions).
Full details of the private unconditional driver licence medical standard can be found on the Austroads website, and details of additional CASA medical requirements to hold a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate can be found in the Guidance Material for GPs.
Q. I have a history of cancer. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
The standard is not met if there is evidence of cancer in the brain, or if there is history of cancer in other parts of the body within the last 5 years. You are eligible to hold the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if the cancer relates only to basal cell skin cancers which have been removed by excision, with no metastasized sequelae, and you are under case management by your doctor. You should talk to your DAME who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions).
Q. I have a history of ECG changes. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
You are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if ECG changes are present. You should talk to your DAME who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions).
Q. I have a heart condition. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
Your GP will need to assess you in accordance with the Austroads driver licence medical standard. If you have a history of heart failure, you may still be eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if all of the following conditions apply:
Q. I have hearing difficulties. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
If you are able to hear conversational voice at a distance of 2 metres, with or without a hearing aid, you are eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. If you fail to meet this standard, you are not eligible. You should talk to your DAME who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions)
Q. I wear a hearing aid. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
If you are able to hear conversational voice at a distance of 2 metres, with or without a hearing aid, you are eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. If you fail to meet this standard, you are not eligible. You should talk to your DAME who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions)
Q. I have a physical limitation or disability. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
Pilots with any physical limitation or disability do not meet the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate standard, however they can be assessed by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) for a Class 2 medical with conditions, such as the use of an appropriate aircraft modification.
Q. I have had a Transient Ischaemic Attack. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
If you have had a Transient Ischaemic Attack, you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. You should talk to your Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions)
Q. I have Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy or Parkinson’s Disease. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
If you have a history of these conditions you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Q. I sustained a head injury. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
If you have experienced a head injury resulting in loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia, or abnormal findings on a head CT scan or MRI investigation, you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. You should talk to your Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions)
Q. I have a history of kidney stones. Am I eligible for a driver licence medical (aviation?)?
Kidney stones can result in sudden, acute, incapacitating pain. For this reason, if you have a history of renal calculi or renal colic you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate. You should talk to your DAME who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions)
Q. I suffer from vertigo. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
Aviation activities are not conducted in an exclusively upright position. The presence of vertigo or a history of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) means you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Q. I have diabetes. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
Subject to your GP’s assessment, you may be eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate if you are not insulin dependent and manage the condition with dietary control and oral medication. If you have insulin dependent diabetes, you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate but you should talk to your DAME who will advise if you may be able to hold a CASA Class 2 medical (with conditions)
Q. I have epilepsy. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
No, if you have epilepsy you are not eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate.
Q. I’m pregnant. Am I eligible for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate?
Yes, however it is your responsibility to cease flying when the safety of flight could be compromised. The requirements of CASR 67.235 still apply, meaning that your licence is taken to be suspended from the end of the 30th week of gestation until after delivery.
Q. I failed my Class 2 medical. Can I still apply for a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate ?
Yes, you are still eligible to fly under a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate as long as you meet that medical standard and you follow the instructions on the CASA website.
Q. What happens if my doctor does not issue me with a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate ?
You cannot fly. However you can still visit a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) to discuss your medical condition further. The DAME is qualified to determine whether you are eligible for a Class 2 medical with conditions (for example, you may need to do additional medical tests or only fly with a safety pilot).
Q. What are the privileges and limitations of flying with a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate?
You can fly a single engine piston aircraft (fixed wing or helicopter) up to 1500kg MTOW, under day VFR only. These conditions apply even if you are carrying another pilot in a control seat. If you are currently permitted to operate cross country and in controlled airspace, you may continue to do so as long as the aircraft is suitably equipped and maintained and you have completed a flight review within the last two years.
You must not fly above 10,000 feet AMSL or conduct aerobatics, and there is a limit of one passenger. However, these three conditions are removed if a control seat is occupied by an appropriately qualified pilot who holds a Class 1 or Class 2 medical. If you wish to conduct aerobatics, the ‘safety pilot' must be endorsed for aerobatics.
In other words, a ‘safety pilot' must be qualified to conduct the flight in that aircraft, at that location, and in that type of operation.
For further information on the limitations if the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate, please refer to the Fact Sheet.
Q. If I have a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate, can I fly Night VFR, IFR or under a PIFR?
No, it is condition that you must fly day VFR only.
Q. If I have a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate, can I fly over populous areas?
Yes, you can fly over populous or built up areas as long as the aircraft being flown has a certificate of airworthiness which allows this, and the aircraft is appropriately maintained. The minimum height requirements detailed in CAR 157 still apply and the aircraft must be operated in a manner that it can glide clear of persons and buildings on the ground in the event of a serious failure.
Q. If I have a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate, can I fly in controlled airspace?
Yes. You can fly in Class C or D airspace as long as you are qualified to do so, and your aircraft is suitably equipped and maintained.
Q. Can I fly a helicopter on a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate?
Yes, as long as it is a single engine piston helicopter up to1500kg MTOW and you are appropriately licensed.
Q. Can I do my flight training using a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate? Can I go solo?
Yes. As a student pilot you can fly with the driver licence medical, including solo flight, as long as you comply with the conditions of the CASA instrument. All other existing CASA regulations still apply, such as the need for a pass in the General Flying Progress Test (GFPT) before you can carry a passenger. You can visit a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner at any time during your training to be assessed for a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate.
Q. Can I sit for a RPL, PPL, or CPL flight test while operating under a driver's licence medical ?
You can only do a flight test for a recreational pilot licence under the privileges of a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate.
Q. Can I use a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate to conduct commercial operations?
No. To fly commercial operations, a driver licence medical is not sufficient - you must hold a current Class 1 medical certificate.
Q. Do I need to carry my medical certificate when I fly?
Yes. You must carry the medical certificate (Form 166C) and CASA's email acknowledgement document with you when you fly, as you would carry a Class 1 or Class 2 medical.
Q. Do I need to tell my passenger that I am flying with a driver licence medical?
Yes. You must advise your passenger that you are flying with a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate which is of a lower standard than a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate. You must also tell the passenger that you are flying under a lesser standard medical which imposes conditions that you will comply with during the flight.
Q. My aircraft is over 1500kg MTOW. Can I modify the placards and flight manual to reduce the MTOW so I can fly with the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate?
No. The MTOW is certified by the aircraft manufacturer or the authorised person who issued the Certificate of Airworthiness. The only way to certify the aircraft for a different MTOW is to apply for a Supplemental Type Certificate or to have the aircraft issued with a new Certificate of Airworthiness.
Q. What if I want to fly without the limitations and conditions?
If you wish to fly without the operational restrictions of a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate, you will still need a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate issued by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner. For example, if you wish to operate Night VFR, IFR, or fly a multi-engine aircraft, you must hold a Class 2 or Class 1 medical.
Q. I do not have any problems achieving the Class 2 (or Class 1) medical standard, but I only fly private, day VFR operations with one passenger. Can I fly with a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate rather than renewing my Class 2?
You can choose to fly under a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate even if you hold a CPL or ATPL, as long as you comply with all of the conditions of the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate. The Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate can only be used for private operations
Q. I have a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate certificate. Can I upgrade this to a Class 1 or Class 2 medical certificate?
Yes. If you have a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate and you want to remove the operational restrictions, you can visit a DAME at any time to be assessed for a Class 1 or Class 2 medical.
Q. If I have a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate but in the future I plan to fly a twin, do an instrument rating or fly commercially. Can I do a Class 1 or Class 2 medical to remove the operational restrictions of a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate?
Yes, as long as you meet the required medical standard, you can visit a DAME to be assessed for a Class 1 or Class 2 medical at any time.
Q. I can pass the Class 2 medical, but each time I need to do additional medical tests, which can be expensive. Can I fly with a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate and do I still need to do the additional medical tests?
You can choose to fly under a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate as long as you meet the medical standard and comply with all of the conditions. There is no cost to register with CASA and CASA will not ask you to do any additional tests. Your GP however may request additional tests in order to satisfy him or her that you meet the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate standard.
If you are currently subject to medical audit conditions imposed by CASA you will not qualify for the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate.
If you do not meet the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate standard and still want to fly, you will need to visit your DAME to be assessed for a Class 2 medical, which may require additional tests.
Q. If a RA-Aus certificated pilot has a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate, does this result in additional privileges, such as access to controlled airspace?
No. The privileges of the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate only apply to holders of a CASA issued pilot licence, not to holders of a RA-Aus pilot certificate.
Q. I am a RA-Aus certificated pilot and also hold a licence issued by CASA (eg PPL), can I fly my RA-Aus aircraft in controlled airspace with a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate?
If you hold a CASA issued PPL or higher licence, and a RA-Aus certificate, you may access controlled airspace in a RA-Aus registered aircraft as long you have appropriate, current qualifications to fly in that airspace, and the aircraft being flown is suitably equipped and maintained.
Q. Can pilots flying with a RA-Aus flying school at a towered aerodrome (such as Camden, Coffs Harbour, Moorabbin, or Archerfield) use a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate or must they hold a Class 2 medical?
A Class 2 medical is required, as each of the RA-Aus flying schools based at Class D aerodromes operate under the approval of an individual legislative instrument which specifies a minimum of a Class 2 medical.
Q. What must I do if I become medically unfit to fly?
It is your responsibility to stop flying and to notify CASA at rec.medical@casa.gov.au that you are no longer exercising the privileges of your Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate.
Penalties apply if you continue to fly when you are unable to achieve the Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate standard. If you ignore your doctor's advice and are involved in an accident, action may be taken against your licence and there may also be legal and insurance implications, including imprisonment or refusal of a claim for damages.
Q. Do I need to advise CASA of a short-term medical unfitness, such as a sprained or broken limb?
Your doctor may advise that you restrict your flying activity temporarily if your condition is only short-term (for example, a sprained or broken limb). You do not need to report the condition to CASA, but you must not fly until your doctor has advised that you are fit to do so.
Q. Do I need to advise and re-register with CASA if I wish to start flying again following medical unfitness?
Yes. If your Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner's Certificate has been withdrawn by a doctor, or if you have previously advised CASA that you are unfit to fly, you must return to your doctor to be assessed in accordance with the medical standard. Log on to the CASA website to re-register, attaching a copy of the new certificate.
Q. Can my doctor report me to CASA if I'm medically unfit to fly?
Yes. If your doctor has given you advice and is concerned that you may ignore the advice, or they feel that your condition poses a risk to public safety, they are encouraged to advise CASA.
Q. What should I do if I'm concerned about a friend or relative's fitness to fly?
It is important that you advise them to talk to their doctor. With appropriate treatment or restrictions, the person may be able to continue to fly.
If they are unwilling to talk to their doctor, you can provide this advice to CASA. Supporting evidence, such as advice from a police officer or health professional, should be included where possible to substantiate your claims. Include your name and address, together with the name and address of the person you believe to be medically unfit to fly.
Based on the Transport and Main Roads website regarding Medical condition reporting Jet's Law.