MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates

Regulation (EU) 2019/27

(a) Limitations to class 1 and class 2 medical certificates

(1) If the applicant does not fully comply with the requirements for the relevant class of medical certificate but is considered to be not likely to jeopardise the safe exercise of the privileges of the applicable licence, the AeMC or AME shall:

(i) in the case of applicants for a class 1 medical certificate, refer the decision on fitness of the applicant to the medical assessor of the licensing authority as indicated in this Subpart;

(ii) in cases where a referral to the medical assessor of the licensing authority is not indicated in this Subpart, evaluate whether the applicant is able to perform his/her duties safely when complying with one or more limitations endorsed on the medical certificate and issue the medical certificate with limitation(s) as necessary;

(iii) in the case of applicants for a class 2 medical certificate, evaluate, in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority as indicated in this Subpart, whether the applicant is able to perform his/her duties safely when complying with one or more limitations endorsed on the medical certificate and issue the medical certificate, with limitation(s) as necessary.

(2) The AeMC or AME may revalidate or renew a medical certificate with the same limitation(s) without referring to or consulting with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(b) Limitations to LAPL medical certificates

(1) If a GMP, after due consideration of the applicant’s medical history, concludes that the applicant for a LAPL medical certificate does not fully meet the requirements for medical fitness, the GMP shall refer the applicant to an AeMC or AME, unless the applicant requires only limitation(s) related to the use of corrective lenses or to the period of validity of the medical certificate.

(2) If an applicant for a LAPL medical certificate has been referred in accordance with point (1), the AeMC or AME shall give due consideration to points MED.B.005 and MED.B.095, evaluate whether the applicant is able to perform his or her duties safely when complying with one or more limitations endorsed on the medical certificate and issue the medical certificate with limitation(s) as necessary. The AeMC or AME shall always consider the need to restrict the applicant from carrying passengers (operational passenger limitation, OPL).

(3) The GMP may revalidate or renew a LAPL medical certificate with the same limitation without referring the applicant to an AeMC or AME.

(c) When assessing whether a limitation is necessary, particular consideration shall be given to:

(1) whether accredited medical conclusion indicates that in special circumstances the applicant’s failure to meet any requirement, whether numerical or otherwise, is such that the exercise of the privileges of the licence applied for is not likely to jeopardise flight safety;

(2) the applicant’s ability, skill and experience relevant to the operation to be performed.

(d) Operational limitation codes

(1) Operational multi-pilot limitation (OML – class 1 only)

(i) When the holder of a CPL, ATPL or MPL does not fully meet the requirements for a class 1 medical certificate and has been referred to a medical assessor of the licensing authority, that medical assessor shall assess whether the medical certificate may be issued with an OML ‘valid only as or with qualified co-pilot’.

(ii) The holder of a medical certificate with an OML shall only operate an aircraft in multi-pilot operations when the other pilot is fully qualified on the relevant class and type of aircraft, is not subject to an OML and has not attained the age of 60 years.

(iii) The OML for class 1 medical certificates shall be initially imposed and only removed by the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(2) Operational safety pilot limitation (OSL – class 2 and LAPL privileges)

(i) The holder of a medical certificate with an OSL shall only operate an aircraft if another pilot fully qualified to act as pilot-in-command on the relevant class and type of aircraft is carried on board, the aircraft is fitted with dual controls and the other pilot occupies a seat at the controls.

(ii) The OSL for class 2 medical certificates may be imposed and removed either by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, or by an AeMC or an AME in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(iii) The OSL for LAPL medical certificates may be imposed and removed by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, an AeMC or an AME.

(3) Operational passenger limitation (OPL – class 2 and LAPL privileges)

(i) The holder of a medical certificate with an OPL shall only operate an aircraft without passengers on board.

(ii) The OPL for class 2 medical certificates may be imposed and removed either by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, or by an AeMC or an AME in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(iii) The OPL for LAPL medical certificates may be imposed and removed by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, an AeMC or an AME.

(4) Operational pilot restriction limitation (ORL – class 2 and LAPL privileges)

(i) The holder of a medical certificate with an ORL shall only operate an aircraft if one of the two following conditions have been met:

(A) another pilot fully qualified to act as pilot-in-command on the relevant class and type of aircraft is on board the aircraft, the aircraft is fitted with dual controls and the other pilot occupies a seat at the controls;

(B) there are no passengers on board the aircraft.

(ii) The ORL for class 2 medical certificates may be imposed and removed either by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, or by an AeMC or AME in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(iii) The ORL for LAPL medical certificates may be imposed and removed by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, an AeMC or an AME.

(5) Special restriction as specified (SSL)

The SSL on a medical certificate shall be followed by a description of the limitation.

(e) Any other limitation may be imposed on the holder of a medical certificate by the medical assessor of the licensing authority, AeMC, AME or GMP, as applicable, if required to ensure flight safety.

(f) Any limitation imposed on the holder of a medical certificate shall be specified therein.

AMC1 MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates

ED Decision 2019/002/R

GENERAL

(a) An AeMC or AME may refer the decision on fitness of an applicant to the medical assessor of the licensing authority in borderline cases or where fitness is in doubt.

(b) In cases where a fit assessment may only be considered with a limitation, the AeMC, AME, GMP or the medical assessor of the licensing authority should evaluate the medical condition of the applicant in consultation with flight operations and other experts, if necessary.

(c) Initial application of limitations

(1) The limitations TML, VDL, VML, VNL and VCL, as listed in AMC2 MED.B.001(a), may be imposed by an AME or an AeMC for class 1, class 2, and LAPL medical certificates, or a GMP for LAPL medical certificates.

(2) All other limitations listed in AMC2 MED.B.001(a) should only be imposed:

(i) for class 1 medical certificates, by the medical assessor of the licensing authority where a referral is required according to MED.B.001;

(ii) for class 2 medical certificates, by the AME or AeMC in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority where consultation is required according to MED.B.001;

(iii) for LAPL medical certificates, by an AME or AeMC.

(d) Removal of limitations

(1) For class 1 medical certificates, all limitations should only be removed by the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(2) For class 2 medical certificates, limitations may be removed by the medical assessor of the licensing authority or by an AeMC or AME in consultation with the medical assessor of the licensing authority.

(3) For LAPL medical certificates, limitations may be removed by an AeMC or AME.

AMC2 MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates

ED Decision 2019/002/R

LIMITATION CODES

(a) The following abbreviations for limitations codes should be used on the medical certificates as applicable:

(b) The abbreviations for the limitation codes should be explained to the holder of a medical certificate as follows:

(1) TML   Time limitation

The period of validity of the medical certificate is limited to the duration as shown on the medical certificate. This period of validity commences on the date of the medical examination. Any period of validity remaining on the previous medical certificate is no longer valid. The holder of the medical certificate should present themselves for re-examination when advised and should follow any medical recommendations.

(2) VDL   Wear corrective lenses and carry a spare set of spectacles

Correction for defective distant vision: whilst exercising the privileges of the licence, the holder of the medical certificate should wear spectacles or contact lenses that correct for defective distant vision as examined and approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP. Contact lenses may not be worn until cleared to do so by the AeMC, AME or GMP. A spare set of spectacles, approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP, should be readily available.

(3) VML   Wear multifocal spectacles and carry a spare set of spectacles

Correction for defective distant, intermediate and near vision: whilst exercising the privileges of the licence, the holder of the medical certificate should wear spectacles that correct for defective distant, intermediate and near vision as examined and approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP. Contact lenses or full frame spectacles, when either correct for near vision only, may not be worn. A spare set of spectacles, approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP, should be readily available.

(4) VNL   Have available corrective spectacles and carry a spare set of spectacles

Correction for defective near vision: whilst exercising the privileges of the licence, the holder of the medical certificate should have readily available spectacles that correct for defective near vision as examined and approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP. Contact lenses or full frame spectacles, when either correct for near vision only, may not be worn. A spare set of spectacles, approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP, should be readily available.

(5) CCL   Wear contact lenses that correct for defective distant vision

Correction for defective distant vision: whilst exercising the privileges of the licence, the holder of a medical certificate should wear contact lenses that correct for defective distant vision, as examined and approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP. A spare set of similarly correcting spectacles, approved by the AeMC, AME or GMP, should be readily available for immediate use whilst exercising the privileges of the licence.

(6) VCL   Valid by day only

This limitation allows holders of a class 2 or LAPL medical certificate with varying degrees of colour deficiency, to exercise the privileges of their licence by daytime only.

(7) RXO   Specialist ophthalmological examination(s)

Specialist ophthalmological examination(s), other than the examinations stipulated in Part-MED, are required for a significant reason.

(8) SIC   Specific regular medical examination(s)   contact the medical assessor of the licensing authority

This limitation requires the AeMC, or AME to contact the medical assessor of the licensing authority before embarking upon a revalidation or renewal aero-medical assessment. The limitation is likely to concern a medical history or additional examination(s) which the AeMC or AME should be aware of prior to undertaking the assessment.

(9) HAL   Wear hearing aid(s)

Whilst exercising the privileges of the licence, the holder of the medical certificate should use hearing aid(s) that compensate for defective hearing as examined and approved by the AeMC or AME. A spare set of batteries should be readily available.

(10) APL   Valid only with approved prosthesis

This limitation applies to the holder of a medical certificate with a musculoskeletal condition when a medical flight test or a flight simulator test has shown that the use of a prosthesis is required to safely exercise the privileges of the licence. The prosthesis to be used should be approved.

(11) AHL   Valid only with approved hand controls

This limitation applies to the holder of a medical certificate who has a limb deficiency or other anatomical problem which had been shown by a medical flight test or flight simulator testing to be acceptable but to require the aircraft to be equipped with suitable, approved hand controls.

(12) OML   Valid only as or with a qualified co-pilot

This limitation applies to holders of a class 1 medical certificate who do not fully meet the aero-medical requirements for single-pilot operations, but are fit for multi-pilot operations. Refer to MED.B.001(d)(1).

(13) OCL   Valid only as a qualified co-pilot

This limitation is an extension of the OML and are restricted to the role of co-pilot.

(14) OSL   Valid only with a safety pilot and in aircraft with dual controls

This limitation applies to holders of a class 2 or a LAPL medical certificate only. The safety pilot should be made aware of the type(s) of possible incapacity that the pilot whose medical certificate has been issued with this limitation may suffer and should be prepared to take over the aircraft controls during flight. Refer to MED.B.001(d)(2).

(15) OPL   Valid only without passengers

This limitation applies to holders of a class 2 or LAPL medical certificate with a medical condition that may lead to an increased level of risk to flight safety when exercising the privileges of the licence. This limitation is to be applied when this risk is not acceptable for the carriage of passengers. Refer to MED.B.001(d)(3).

(16) ORL   Valid only with a safety pilot if passengers are carried and in aircraft with dual controls

This limitation applies to holders of a class 2 or LAPL medical certificate with a medical condition that may lead to an increased level of risk to flight safety when exercising the privileges of the licence. The safety pilot, if carried, should be made aware of the type(s) of possible incapacity that the pilot whose medical certificate has been issued with this limitation may suffer and should be prepared to take over the aircraft controls during flight. Refer to MED.B.001(d)(4).

(17) OAL   Restricted to demonstrated aircraft type

This limitation applies to a the holder of a medical certificate who has a limb deficiency or other medical problem which had been shown by a medical flight test or flight simulator testing to be acceptable but to require a restriction to a specific class and type of aircraft.

(18) SSL   Special restriction(s) as specified

This limitation may be considered when an individually specified limitation, not defined in this AMC, is appropriate to mitigate an increased level of risk to flight safety. The description of the SSL should be entered on the medical certificate or in a separate document to be carried with the medical certificate.

MED.B.005 General medical requirements

Regulation (EU) 2019/27

Applicants for a medical certificate shall be assessed in accordance with the detailed medical requirements set out in Sections 2 and 3.

They shall, in addition, be assessed as unfit where they have any of the following medical conditions which entails a degree of functional incapacity which is likely to interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence applied for or could render the applicant likely to become suddenly unable to exercise those privileges:

(a) abnormality, either congenital or acquired;

(b) active, latent, acute or chronic disease or disability;

(c) wound, injury or sequelae from operation;

(d) effect or side effect of any prescribed or non-prescribed therapeutic, diagnostic or preventive medication taken.