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Over 60 flying ATPL

According to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 1, section 1.2.5.2.1, once an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) holder passes the age of 60, they must sit six monthly medical examindations.

Therefore, the ATPL medical application process becomes more involved after you turn 60 years old.

The information below will help ATPL holders aged over 60 to navigate this process and avoid unnecessary tests and the associated potential costs.

These medical examinations are referred to as "Major" and "Minor" medicals.

Major Medical

Your first medical after your 60th birthday is considered your "Major" medical.  This application must include:

  • Medical Questionnaire and Examination form
  • Resting ECG trace
  • Serum Lipids & Blood Glucose levels (if glucose levels are 5.5 or above, you will need to sit a glucose tolerance test)
  • Calculated Coronary Risk Index (CRI) score to be completed by your DAME (if the CRI score is 15 or above, we will require the results of a Stress ECG)
  • Audiology Hearing Thresholds (every five years i.e. at age 60, 65, 70 etc.)
  • Ophthalmological Review (every two years  at age 60, 62, 64 etc)
  • CASA Audit Requirements (CAR) (if they are applicable - note that  CAR is an administrative flag only. It notes that specified information must be reviewed at the next medical. It is NOT a restriction of privileges.)

If all of this information is satisfactory and within regulations, your Commercial Class 1 medical will be issued for 1 year, however it will include a special restriction stating that your ATPL privileges will only be valid for 6 months from your anniversary date. The restriction will read:

Special Condition: May not exercise the privileges of an ATPL after dd/mm/yyyy except when the validity period has been extended in accordance with CASR Part 67.

Minor Medical

Within 28 days prior to that special restriction date you will need to sit your "Minor" medical. "Minor" medicals are much less in depth.  The requirements for the minor medicals include:

  • Medical Questionnaire and Examination form
  • Any 6 monthly requirements as per CASA Audit Requirements

If all of this information is satisfactory and within regulations, your Commercial Class 1 medical will again be issued for 1 year, and your ATPL privileges will be extended for 6 more months.  

The scenarios below attempt to explain circumstances in some cases where birthdays and medical anniversaries are out of synchronization and result in confusion.

Scenario #1:

If your medical anniversary date falls more than six months after your 60th birthday, you will need to complete two "Major" medicals in a row due to the fact that your medical six months later will be the first medical after your 61st birthday, and therefore also a "Major" medical.

We will always consider the first medical after your birthday your "Major" medical. If for some reason your dates fall ‘out of sync' it would be beneficial to sit two "Major" medicals in a row in order to get back in sync. This will cause less confusion for the applicant and the DAME.

Scenario #2:

If you have been put on a CASA Audit, your "Major" Medical certificate will be issued for 12 months (CPL) and your ATPL for 6 months. However, when you apply for your "Minor" Medical and are on a CASA Audit, then your ATPL validity date will only be valid for the remaining 6 months of the Class 1 medical certificate. 

Requirement chart

Please refer to the Over Age 60 ATPL Requirement Chart for reference.

Contact

If you have any enquiries please call Aviation Medicine at 1300 428 633.