FAA Class 1, 2 & 3 Medical Examinations
FAA Pilot Medicals at Aeroclinique – Stansted Airport
Aeroclinique provides FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) medical examinations for pilots requiring First, Second and Third Class medical certification under United States aviation regulations.
Whether you are a professional airline pilot, commercial aviator, private pilot or student pilot, an FAA medical certificate may be required to exercise the privileges of your pilot licence.
Our medical assessments are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the standards set out in 14 CFR Part 67.
At Aeroclinique, we aim to provide a professional, efficient and personalised service, recognising the importance of medical certification to your flying career.
Which FAA Medical Certificate do I need?
The FAA issues three classes of pilot medical certificate, depending on the privileges being exercised.
First Class Medical
Generally required for pilots exercising Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) privileges, including airline pilots.
Second Class Medical
Generally required for pilots exercising commercial pilot privileges, including those undertaking commercial flying operations.
Third Class Medical
Generally required for private, recreational and student pilots undertaking flying activities for which an FAA medical certificate is necessary.
How to prepare for your FAA medical
Before attending your appointment, all applicants must complete an online medical application using the FAA's MedXPress system.
Step 1 – Complete Your FAA MedXPress Application
Visit the FAA MedXPress website:
Create an account or log in to your existing account and complete FAA Form 8500-8.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a unique MedXPress confirmation number.
Please bring this confirmation number to your appointment, as it is required for your Aviation Medical Examiner to access your application.
Your medical examination must take place within 60 days of submitting your MedXPress application. If your examination does not take place within this period, you will need to submit a new application.
Please ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete, including your previous medical history, medications, consultations and any relevant medical investigations.
Step 2 – What to Bring to Your Appointment
Please bring the following:
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Current passport or another acceptable government-issued photographic identification document.
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FAA MedXPress confirmation number.
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Most recent FAA medical certificate, if applicable.
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Current spectacles or contact lenses, together with your spectacles prescription if available.
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Copies of any relevant GP or specialist medical reports.
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Details of any prescribed or regularly used medications.
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Any FAA correspondence, Special Issuance Authorisation or Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA), where applicable.
Please ensure you are adequately hydrated, as a urine sample will be required during your examination.
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If you have previously experienced a significant medical condition, undergone surgery or received specialist treatment, we recommend contacting Aeroclinique before attending your appointment.
How often do I need an FAA medical assessment?
These periods apply to the corresponding medical privileges, with validity calculated to the end of the relevant calendar month.
A First or Second Class medical certificate may continue to support lower-class medical privileges after its higher-class privileges expire, subject to FAA regulations and any applicable restrictions.
What does an FAA medical assessment involve?
Your FAA medical examination will include a review of your medical history and a clinical assessment appropriate to the class of certificate requested.
Depending on your age, medical history and certification requirements, this may include:
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Review of your medical history and MedXPress application.
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General physical examination.
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Blood pressure and cardiovascular assessment.
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Height, weight and pulse measurements.
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Visual acuity assessment, including distance and near vision.
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Colour vision assessment, where required.
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Hearing assessment.
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Urinalysis.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG), where required.
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Review of any existing medical conditions, medication or specialist reports.
Further investigations or specialist assessments may occasionally be necessary to establish whether the FAA medical certification requirements have been met.
ECG Requirements
An ECG is required for certain applicants seeking FAA First Class medical certification.
The FAA requirements are as follows:
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Routine ECG examinations are not generally required for Second or Third Class certification, unless clinically indicated.
Occasionally, ECG findings may require further assessment or review by a cardiologist before certification can be completed.
Colour Vision Testing
From 1 January 2025, the FAA introduced revised colour vision assessment requirements.
Applicants undergoing their first FAA medical examination are required to undertake an approved computer-based colour vision screening test.
The FAA currently recognises specific approved testing systems, including the Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test, the Rabin Cone Contrast Test and the Waggoner Computerised Colour Vision Test; the latter is the test of choice for Aeroclinique.
Pilots who have previously demonstrated satisfactory colour vision using an FAA-approved test will not ordinarily require repeat computerised screening, unless specific circumstances apply.
If this is your first FAA medical examination, please advise Aeroclinique when booking so that the appropriate colour vision assessment arrangements can be confirmed. Please note an additional charge shall apply.
What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Pilots develop medical conditions like everyone else, and having a medical diagnosis does not necessarily prevent FAA medical certification.
However, the FAA has specific requirements for applicants with certain medical histories, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, neurological disorders, mental health conditions and other potentially significant illnesses.
Depending upon the condition, an applicant may qualify under the FAA's Conditions an AME Can Issue (CACI)provisions, require additional medical documentation, or need consideration through the FAA's Special Issuance process.
Where the applicable requirements are satisfied, an Aviation Medical Examiner may be able to issue a medical certificate following the examination.
In other circumstances, the application may need to be deferred to the FAA for further review.
We strongly recommend that applicants with significant medical histories contact Aeroclinique before completing their MedXPress application or attending an examination. Please note, a separate appointment may be made if there is any elements of your medical history that require additional work-up (pre-flight) and a charge shall apply.
This allows us to advise on the documentation that may be necessary and helps minimise avoidable delays in the certification process.
Please note that the decision to issue a medical certificate must always comply with FAA regulations and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Why choose Aeroclinique?
Aeroclinique is led by Dr Kapil Ojha, a Consultant in Aviation and Space Medicine with extensive experience in the medical assessment and certification of professional and recreational pilots.
Dr Ojha is a specialist registered in Aviation and Space Medicine with the UK General Medical Council and previously served as a Senior Medical Assessor at the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
His background includes clinical aviation medicine, regulatory medical assessment and the management of complex aeromedical certification cases.
Having undertaken FAA Aviation Medical Examiner training at the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute in Oklahoma City, Dr Ojha has a particular interest in international aviation medical certification standards.
We aim to offer a thorough, professional and approachable assessment, with an understanding of the operational and regulatory demands placed upon pilots.
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