A range of changes to the aviation medical certification system have been introduced in 2018.

From March 2018 : A Class 2 medical is permitted for pilots operating commercial flights that do not carry passengers (up to a maximum take-off weight of 8618 kilograms).

: A Class 2 medical is permitted for pilots operating commercial flights that do not carry passengers (up to a maximum take-off weight of 8618 kilograms). From April 2018 : All DAMEs have the option to issue Class 2 medical certificates on the spot, in most circumstances.

: All DAMEs have the option to issue Class 2 medical certificates on the spot, in most circumstances. From July 2018: A new category of private pilot medical certificate (Basic Class 2) is available and can be assessed by any medical practitioner against the commercial driver standard.

Class 2 medicals for non-passenger commercial operations

A Class 2 medical certificate is now permitted for pilots operating commercial flights that do not carry passengers. This applies to operations with a maximum take-off weight of less than 8618 kilograms and is likely to be of specific benefit for aerial agriculture flights, flight instruction or flight examination. Previously pilots required a Class 1 medical for these operations.

Read the legislative instrument (CASA EX46/20) that applies to these changes.

On the spot Class 2 aviation medical certification (from 4 April 2018)

All designated aviation medical examiners (DAMEs) now have the ability to assess and issue a Class 2 medical certificate on the spot, in most circumstances.

The fee for Class 2 medical certificates has also been reduced to $65.

The changes introduced include optimisation of the CASA medical records system (MRS) to instantly process certificates that meet the required medical standard.

If MRS flags a review is needed, every DAME now has the option to either conduct that review themselves and assess whether a certificate can be issued – or refer the assessment to CASA. The only exceptions are for conditions of psychosis, irreversible dementia or epilepsy – or if an applicant has previously had a Class 2 application declined.

CASAs’ medical team will be involved in Class 2 assessments only where a DAME chooses. If your cases is complex, your DAME may elect to refer it to CASA.

Where a DAME has assessed you as fit to fly, you should receive your Class 2 certificate by email before you leave the surgery.

DAMEs need to have completed a short online eLearning module to use the new system features. When you make your next appointment, ask your DAME “Are you set-up to offer on-the-spot Class 2 medicals?”

If you are a DAME who wants to complete the online eLearning and you are a first-time user of CASA's online education platform AviationWorx you will need to register your details.

Read the Issue of Class 2 Medical Certificates (Designated Aviation Medical Examiners) Delegation 2018.

If you have any questions, contact us at avmed@casa.gov.au or call 131 757.

Basic Class 2: A new category of private pilot medical certificate (from July 2018)

A new basic Class 2 medical certificate is now available for most private operations and is based on an assessment by medical professionals, including general practitioners, against the commercial driver standard.

The CASA fee for the Basic Class 2 medical certificate is $10.

Medical practitioners will use the same Austroads standards that are currently used to assess commercial vehicle drivers of heavy vehicles, public passenger carrying vehicles and vehicles carrying bulk dangerous goods.

Applications are made through a new streamlined process in MRS. If an applicant is assessed by their GP as meeting the standard, a certificate will issued immediately when the applicant makes a declaration in MRS.

Full details about the operational restrictions of a Basic Class 2 medical certificate are available on our medical certificate classes page.

Further information about the changes are available in our Basic Class 2 medical certificate fact sheet for pilots (pdf 1.29 MB) and Basic Class 2 medical certificate fact sheet for medical practitioners (pdf 1.26 MB).

Read the legislative instrument (CASA EX/6518) that applies to these changes.