General (ICAO)
ICAO Annex 1 Chapter 6 (Medical Provisions for Licensing) establishes three classes of medical certificate:
- Class 1 — for CPL/ATPL holders,
- Class 2 — for PPL/SPL/BPL holders,
- Class 3 — for air traffic controllers (ICAO; in EU separately as Part-ATCO MED).
Europe (EASA / EU)
Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 Annex IV (Part-MED) regulates medical requirements for pilot licences EU-wide.
Medical Class 2 for PPL — period of validity (MED.A.045):
| Age of pilot at examination | Period of validity |
|---|---|
| Under 40 years | 60 months (5 years) |
| 40–49 years | 24 months (2 years); for CPL/ATPL: 12 months |
| 50 years and older | 24 months (2 years); for CPL/ATPL: 6 or 12 months depending on age |
| From 50, extending past 65 | 12 months |
PPL specifics:
- For PPL holders Class 2 is valid 24 months from age 40.
- Last day of month: When validity expires, the certificate remains valid until the last day of the expiry month (MED.A.045(b)).
- Renewal within 45 days of expiry: Renewal may be carried out within 45 days before expiry without losing full validity (MED.A.045(c)).
Examining doctor:
- AME (Aero-Medical Examiner) — competent-authority-approved aviation doctor for Class 2 initial and renewal exams.
- AeMC (Aero-Medical Centre) — for Class 1 and for Class 2 with specific findings.
Issuance: Initial examination is performed by an AeMC; renewals may be carried out by an AME.
Content of the examination (MED.B.001 et seq.):
- Anamnesis, physical examination,
- Eyes, ears, ENT,
- Cardiovascular (ECG routinely from age 40),
- Pulmonary function,
- Urinalysis,
- For initial exam above age 40: additional blood tests (lipids, glucose).
LAPL Medical (own class) — applies to LAPL, less strict than Class 2; issued by an AME, or automatically obtained when holding Class 2. Validity: 60 months until age 40, 24 months thereafter.
Germany (national)
EU 1178/2011 / Part-MED applies directly. Approval and supervision of AME/AeMC is performed by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA) in Braunschweig.
AME directory: Available via the LBA website. Initial Class 2 examinations only at an AeMC (e.g. DLR Cologne, Frankfurt Aero-Medical Institute).
Loss/renewal: After expiry without timely renewal the pilot may not exercise licence privileges — flying without a valid medical is a violation per §62 LuftVG (administrative fine) and breach of FCL privileges.