A series of fact sheets and case studies to show the aeromedical impacts of some health conditions.
It is possible for someone who does not meet the medical standards to be issued a medical certificate.
Medical practitioners must report to the CAA any pilot or air traffic controller who has a medical condition that may interfere with aviation safety. This is a public safety responsibility held by all New Zealand registered medical practitioners.
All New Zealand registered medical practitioners are required to advise the Director of Civil Aviation if a pilot or air traffic controller has, or may have, any medical condition which may jeopardise the safe exercise of their flying privileges under Schedule 2, clauses 8-9 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023.
All doctors have a legal obligation to advise the CAA if they believe or suspect that a licence holder has a medical condition that “… may interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges to which the licence holder's medical certificate relates”.
This Medical Information Sheet (MIS) describes the obligations of pilots and air traffic controllers to report certain medical situations to the CAA, and to stop flying or controlling until the matter is fully sorted out.
If an applicant is dissatisfied with a decision relating to their medical certificate then they may elect to pursue any of a number of options. Those options include: Review by the Convener; District Court Appeal; and Judicial Review.
This Medical Information Sheet is for aviation medical examiners, medical certificate holders and applicants, regarding the colour vision requirements for New Zealand pilots. [PDF 358 KB]
Pregnancy is a most natural event. Despite this normality pregnancy can result in changes or complications that have the potential to reduce aviation safety. [PDF 195 KB]
Incapacitation is a reduction in your ability to do things (functional capacity). Numerous medical conditions have the potential to cause incapacitation.
The CAA does not consider any ongoing pattern of use of psychoactive drugs to be compatible with safe aviation.
Alcohol is a legal recreational drug that is used by many people. While alcohol can be consumed and enjoyed in a way that does not jeopardise aviation safety, it is also possible to engage in patterns of alcohol consumption that are not safe.
Considering the range of conditions covered by the term depression, it will be apparent that some cases are probably medically safe from an aviation perspective while others clearly are not. [PDF 224 KB]
The main aviation safety concern with kidney stones is the risk of pain. [PDF 213 KB]
A report from a project that analysed the current medical evidence relating to the risks and manifestations of pregnancy that may relate to aviation safety, and that may result in reduced functional capacity, incapacitation, or unsafe behaviour.
If you have any questions about this topic, use our contact form, or email med@caa.govt.nz.
