Medical requirements for private pilots

General

All pilot licences require a medical certificate or declaration of some description. While it is fine to have a trial flight and some initial lessons, you should avoid committing to a full training programme before checking that you meet the relevant medical requirements and undertaking a medical assessment if one is required.

Depending on the type of flying you wish to do and your general medical fitness, there are different options available for the type of aircraft that you may wish to fly.

Learning to fly

For the NPPL and UK PPL, not including UK Part-FCL licences like the LAPL or PPL, you can make a Pilot Medical Declaration (PMD) and commence flight training and make application for the issue of a UK NPPL or PPL (Gyroplane) only. There are limitations to operating with the PMD.

For UK Part-FCL licences, you will need to hold either a valid Class 1, 2 or LAPL medical certificate depending on which licence you will be applying for.