Timetable for routine examinations

A list of requirements for routine examination for pilots and air traffic controllers.

Revised 15 Nov 2021 (effective 3 Dec 2021) and subsequently confirmed

Please see General Directions (GD) for Timing of Routine Examinations below. Under schedule 2, section 25 of the Act, the Director may, by notice in the Gazette, issue general directions in relation to specifying the requirements of examinations, including the medical content, reporting requirements, interpretation and analysis or other clinical matters.

Some changes from the previous 2009 GD update include amending various schedules, the removal of the requirement to undertake spirometry for first general examination for a Class 2 or Class 3 certificate and introducing a requirement to undertake spirometry for Class 1 applicants at age 55 who have smoked in the past 5 years, instead of age 46 and 56 for those who have ever smoked.  The revised GDs also include the introduction of a special vision examination for Class 1 and Class 3 applicants from age 50 onwards, as vision issues are common beyond this age.

Notification of General Direction 2021

In accordance with schedule 2, section 25(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 2023, General Directions - Timetable for Routine Examinations.

These General Directions (GD), Timing of Routine Examinations, is an updated revision of the published 2009 GD of the same name. Changes from the 2009 GD are:

• Amended schedule of ECG recordings for Class 1, 2 and 3 applicants as medical evidence generally does not support routine screening by ECG;
• Amended schedule of cardiovascular assessments for all classes, as the CVR estimation calculator used provides a 5-year risk estimation;
• Amended schedule of blood glucose and blood lipid determination for all classes, to generally, coincide with CV risk estimation;
• Amended schedule of formal audiometry assessments for all classes, as a well conducted voice test can reliably detect hearing loss that may be of aeromedical significance. This, excepted for applicants aged over 70 when the scheduled is increased;
• Removal of the requirement to undertake spirometry for first general examination for a Class 2 or Class 3 certificate;
• Requirement to undertake spirometry for Class 1 applicants at age 55 who have smoked in the past 5 years, instead of age 46 and 56 for those who have ever smoked; and
• Introduction of a special vision examinations for Class 1 and Class 3 applicants from age 60 onwards, as vision issues are common beyond this age.

General Directions for Timing of Routine Examinations [PDF 511 KB]