Aeromedical

Useful Information

About our service

Since 2000, we are an officially designated aero-medical centre for those wishing to obtain a license from the Irish Aviation Authority. This service is now available in Mater Private Northern Cross. 

Aeromedical assessments 

Whilst there is a regulatory standard to meet for safety reasons, most candidates meet the requirements. Where they don’t, your Aeromedical Examiner (AME) can advise and assist. 

The AME can provide a liaison service with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). 

Always bring your passport, your current certificate if you have one, and any vision correction you need. 

All applicants for aviation medicals should familiarize themselves with the regulations found on this website in particular with regard to any medical condition suffered from now or in the past.

Class One Medical Certificate 

• A first-class (Class One) medical certificate is required for all pilots involved in commercial aviation. 
• The holder of a medical certificate must be mentally and physically fit to exercise the privileges of the applicable license safely. 
• A revalidation or renewal medical takes about 45 – 60 minutes to complete and are carried out on any of our clinic days in the Aeromedical Centre, by appointment. 
• Class One holders who do not renew / revalidate before the permitted lapsed time is expired, must undergo a completely new initial Class One medical assessment.

Poppy seeds

These may cause a positive drug test at the aviation class one medical assessment. Eating these should be avoided for a while before the medical assessment.

Timing of consumption of poppy seeds

A drug test may detect poppy seeds in the urine within just 30 minutes of eating the seeds and for up to 48 hours after consumption.

If a person consumes large doses of poppy seeds, traces of opiates may remain in their system for up to 60 hours.

Foods with poppy seeds to avoid

Common foods that often contain poppy seeds include:

• Bagels
• Bread
• Cakes
• Muffins
• Other baked goods
• Granola
• Babka
• Salad dressing

 Individuals may wish to avoid these foods before taking a drug test.

Class Two Medical Certificate 

• A second class (Class Two) medical certificate is required only for General Aviation pilots – those that fly as a private pilot / hobby. 
• The holder of the medical certificate must be mentally and physically fit to exercise the privileges of the applicable license safely. 
• An initial class two medical assessment or renewal takes about 45 – 60 minutes to complete and may be carried out on any of our clinic days in the Aeromedical Centre, by appointment.
• A Class Two medical certificate is valid for five years up to the age of forty, valid for two years from forty up to the age of fifty, valid for one year from fifty onwards. 

Class One Initial Medical Assessment 

• If you have never held a Class 1 or Class 3 (Air Traffic Control Officer) certificate, you need an initial examination. 
• Initial Class 1 or Class 3 medical can take many hours to complete and are carried out on specific clinic days. 
• All applicants for aviation medicals should familiarize themselves with the regulations, (www.iaa.ie/personnel-licensing/aero-medical-section) in particular regarding any medical condition suffered from now or in the past.

Medical records and reports 

We frequently request medical reports and medical records for such purposes as assessing a client’s fitness for certification, to arrange specialist referral, to forward to the IAA Aeromedical Section Department or other aviation authority or other agency.

Reports and records can be posted to us or scanned and e-mailed; in all cases they must be written in English, or professionally translated by an accredited translation agency into English. 

Please note the terminology:

• A medical report is written by the applicant’s GP or specialist, in response to a request by the applicant, AME or aviation authority. 
• A medical record is a pre-existing record, held by an applicant’s GP or specialist.

The Aeromedical team can assist in obtaining medical records or medical reports if required.