Quick answer: An EASA Class 1 medical is mandatory to train and fly commercially. The initial assessment is done at an Aeromedical Centre (AeMC); renewals can be done by an Aeromedical Examiner (AME). It checks vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, mental health and general fitness. Most first-time applicants pass. The most common reasons people are deferred are correctable-but-out-of-limits vision, undisclosed medical history, and certain cardiac findings. Get it done before you spend a euro on training.
What the Class 1 assessment covers
| System | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Vision | Distance, near and intermediate acuity; colour perception; eye health |
| Hearing | Pure-tone audiogram across speech frequencies |
| Cardiovascular | Blood pressure, resting ECG (and periodically extended) |
| Respiratory & general | Lung function, BMI, physical examination |
| Mental health | History, substance use, psychological fitness |
| Bloods & urine | Screening for metabolic and other conditions |
Vision and hearing, specifically
Glasses and contact lenses are fine as long as your corrected vision is within limits and you carry a spare pair. Colour vision must be sufficient to distinguish the colours needed for safe operation. Refractive surgery can be acceptable after a stable recovery, but disclose it. Hearing is tested by audiogram; hearing aids may be acceptable within limits.
What commonly defers or fails applicants
- Vision outside correctable limits, or undisclosed refractive surgery.
- Cardiac findings on ECG that need further cardiology review.
- Undeclared mental-health or medication history discovered later.
- BMI and blood-pressure readings flagged for follow-up.
Most of these lead to a deferral for more tests, not an outright fail. Honesty on the history form is the single biggest predictor of a smooth assessment.
Initial vs renewal, and how long it lasts
- Initial: must be at an AeMC.
- Renewal/revalidation: can be at an AME.
- Validity: 12 months for pilots under 60 (shorter above), so it becomes an annual event you must track.
How to prepare
- Book the initial first, before committing to a school.
- Get an eye test and, if needed, up-to-date prescription glasses.
- Gather your full medical history and any specialist letters.
- Avoid caffeine and heavy exercise right before the cardiovascular checks.
FAQ
Can I be a pilot with glasses? Yes, within corrected-vision limits, carrying a spare pair.
Does the Class 1 expire? Yes, annually for under-60s. Track the date; flying on a lapsed medical is a serious violation.
▶ Watch a first-timer's Class 1 walkthrough on the Veejo YouTube channel.
How Veejo helps
Veejo Career Log stores your medical class and expiry and alerts you at 90 / 30 / 14 / 7 days, so it never lapses mid-career. Start free before you book training.