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Recreational pilot medical restrictions

Medical Restrictions

Getting a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) requires that:

  • the individual meets the Australian Fitness to Drive unconditional private drivers requirements; and
  • the individual does not have any of the disqualifying conditions.

If you have any of the disqualifying conditions you are not able to hold a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) but you have the option to apply for a Class 2 medical certificate via a DAME.

Operational restrictions

The conditions of the RAMPC also impose restrictions on the flight rules that may be used by pilots holding this medical, on the aircraft that may be used, on the airspace that may be used, on the carriage of passengers and on the kind of flight that may be engaged in.

Restriction on aircraft

An eligible person holding a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) must only operate single engine, piston powered aircraft (fixed wing or helicopter) with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1500kg or less.

Restriction on flight rules

An eligible person holding a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) must operate only by day and under the Visual Flight Rules (VFR).  Night VFR and IFR flight is not permitted.

Restriction on use of airspace

An eligible person holding a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) must not operate an aircraft as pilot in command in any airspace above 10 000 ft AMSL (above mean sea level).

However, this restriction does not apply if a control seat on the aircraft is occupied by an appropriately licensed pilot with a current class 1 or class 2 medical certificate.

Restriction on carriage of passengers

An eligible person holding a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) must not operate an aircraft with more than 1 passenger on board, and that 1 passenger (if carried) must be a qualifying passenger. This is a defined term meaning a passenger who, before boarding an aircraft has been told by the eligible person that he or she holds a current Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) that is of a lower medical standard than a class 1 or class 2 medical certificate normally required which imposes conditions, all of which are and will be complied with for the flight.

However, this restriction does not apply if a control seat on the aircraft is occupied by an appropriately licensed pilot with a current class 1 or class 2 medical certificate.

Restriction on acrobatic flight

An eligible person holding a Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioner’s Certificate (RAMPC) must not operate an aircraft in acrobatic flight.

However, this restriction does not apply if a control seat on the aircraft is occupied by an appropriately licensed and acrobatic flight-endorsed pilot with a current class 1 or class 2 medical certificate, and the eligible person’s licence is also endorsed for acrobatic flight.

Any person thinking of applying to operate under the recreational pilot medical should ensure they have read and understood the complete explanatory statement.