Medical Requirements

Follow this link for EASA Medical Requirements

Introduction

At present, the medical requirements to fly a glider in the UK are specified by the BGA. These are described under the heading 'BGA Medical Requirements'.

EASA Medical Requirements

Under European Commission rules which apply to us from April 2015, all pilots who intend to fly an aircraft with an EASA Certificate of Airworthiness must hold an EASA licence and an EASA medical certificate appropriate to that licence held. Details of the EASA medical requirements are on the EASA Medical page.

BGA Requirements

The BGA Executive Committee approved BGA medical requirements effective from 1st March 2003. The requirements followed those previously established for the NPPL. For more information, follow the links below:

Medical Fitness Validation and Procedures (updated 19/9/05)
Medical Fitness Requirements - Briefing Notes for Pilots (updated 19/9/05)
Guidance Notes on the Medical Fitness Required for Glider Pilots (updated 19/9/05)
DVLA Standards
CAA Self Declaration Form (with GP endorsement) (updated 2012) See note below.

Please note that the CAA Self Declaration Form does not list gliding. This is because the CAA does not regulate gliding. Applicants who intend to use the CAA Self Declaration Form for gliding should tick the 'Other' box and specify 'Gliding'. The BGA has requested that the CAA modify the form to identify gliding.

The standards for a GP endorsed self-declaration medical for gliding are the same as those for a GP endorsed self-declaration medical for SLMG, SSEA and microlight.

As an alternative to the BGA medical requirements based on the NPPL, for glider flying only, any of the following are acceptable:

• a JAA or EASA Class 1 or 2 Medical Certificate
• an EASA LAPL Medical Certificate
• a FAA Class 3 medical certificate issued in accordance with ICAO
• any NATO Military Aircrew Employment Standard or Air Cadet gliding medical certificate

For more details on medical requirements, see Laws & Rules, part 7.