ATCO.MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates

Regulation (EU) 2015/340

(a) Limitations to class 3 medical certificates:

(1) If the applicant does not fully comply with the requirements for a class 3 medical certificate but is considered to be not likely to jeopardise the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence, the AeMC or AME shall:

(i) refer the decision on fitness of the applicant to the licensing authority as indicated in this Subpart; or

(ii) in cases where a referral to the licensing authority is not indicated in this Subpart, evaluate whether the applicant is able to perform their 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 without referring the applicant to the licensing authority.

(b) 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 exercise of the privileges of the licence is not likely to jeopardise the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence;

(2) the applicant's experience relevant to the operation to be performed.

(c) Operational limitations

(1) The competent authority, in conjunction with the air navigation service provider, shall determine the operational limitations applicable in the specific operational environment concerned.

(2) Appropriate operational limitations shall only be placed on the medical certificate by the licensing authority.

(d) Any other limitation may be imposed on the holder of a medical certificate if required to ensure the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence.

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

AMC1 ATCO.MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates

ED Decision 2015/010/R

(a) An AeMC or AME may refer the decision on fitness of an applicant to 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 or the licensing authority should evaluate the medical condition of the applicant with appropriate personnel from the air navigation service provider and other experts, if necessary.

(c) Entry of limitations

(1) Limitations TML, VDL, VML, VNL, CCL, HAL, RXO may be imposed by an AME or an AeMC.

(2) Limitations VXL and VXN should be imposed with advice of the air navigation service provider.

(3) Limitations SIC and SSL should only be imposed by the licensing authority.

(d) Removal of limitations

All limitations should only be removed by the licensing authority.

AMC2 ATCO.MED.B.001 Limitations to medical certificates

ED Decision 2015/010/R

LIMITATION CODES

(a) The following abbreviations for limitations should be used on the medical certificate 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 aero-medical examination. Any period of validity remaining on the previous medical certificate is no longer valid. The holder of a medical certificate should present him/herself for reassessment or 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 a medical certificate should wear spectacles or contact lenses that correct for defective distant vision as examined and approved by the AeMC or AME. Contact lenses may not be worn until cleared to do so by an AeMC or AME. A spare set of spectacles, approved by the AeMC or AME, should be readily available.

(3) VXL — Correction for defective distant vision depending on the working environment

Correction for defective distant vision does not have to be worn if the air traffic controller’s visual working environment is in the area of up to 100 cm. Applicants who do not meet the uncorrected distant visual acuity requirement but meet the visual acuity requirement for intermediate and near vision without correction and whose visual working environment is only the intermediate and near vision area (up to 100 cm) may work without corrective lenses.

(4) 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 a medical certificate should wear spectacles that correct for defective distant, intermediate and near vision as examined and approved by the AeMC or AME. Contact lenses or full-frame spectacles, when either correct for near vision only, may not be worn.

(5) VNL — Have available corrective spectacles and a spare set of spectacles

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

(6) VXN — Have available corrective spectacles and a spare set of spectacles; correction for defective distant vision depending on the working environment.

Correction for defective distant vision does not have to be worn if the air traffic controller’s visual working environment is in the area of up to 100 cm. Applicants who do not meet the uncorrected distant and uncorrected near visual acuity requirements, but meet the visual acuity requirement for intermediate vision without correction and whose visual working environment is only the intermediate and near vision area (up to 100 cm) should have readily available spectacles and a spare set that correct for defective near vision as examined and approved by the AeMC or AME. Contact lenses or full-frame spectacles, when either correct for near vision only, may not be worn.

(7) CCL — Wear contact lenses that correct for defective 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 or AME. A spare set of similarly correcting spectacles shall be readily available for immediate use whilst exercising the privileges of the licence.

(8) RXO — Specialist ophthalmological examination(s)

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

(9) HAL — Hearing aid(s)

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

(10) SIC — Specific medical examination(s)

This limitation requires the AeMC or AME to contact the licensing authority before embarking upon renewal or revalidation aero-medical assessment. It is likely to concern a medical history of which the AME should be aware prior to undertaking the aero-medical assessment.

(11) SSL — Special restrictions as specified

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