Dr Andy Tobias UK CAA AME 10251  UK GMC 2638401  

 

FAQs

  • Can I save time at a medical by bringing along an application form already filled out? Yes, not ony can you do so, it is very helpful if you do, particularly if this is the first medical I have done for you. You can download an appication form from http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/SRG_MED160.pdf and bring it along completed, but not signed (as I must witness your signature). Leave any questions about which you are unsure.

  • What identification must I bring? CAA request that I see Photo ID (Ideally a Passport or DVLA photocard driving licence) at the first medical I do for you.

  • What else should I bring?

  • a) Your licence and a record of the number of hours flown.
    b) A list of any medication you take, including inhalers. Make certain you know the dose taken. If in doubt, bring the medication with.
    c) Spectacles and contact lenses if worn. A prescription for them if possible (and an up to date prescription is compulsory for initial class 2 medicals and helpful if you have had a prescription change since your last medical). If you are a class 1 certificate holder with a distance vision limitation and your prescription changes, then it is mandatory to produce the optician's prescription at the following aviation medical.

  • I've got to Wycombe Air park for a booked appointment and I don't know where you are. Where are you? My office at Wycombe  Air Park is in a low red brick building which is on the right just after you turn into Wycombe Air park from the main road. There is some parking available. Some people still book it at the Airways Flying Club (formerly BAFC) office as before but some come directly to my office. If you get there at the time of your appointment and can't get it it is probably because I have gone to the flying club office to collect you. Ring me on 0794 157 9068 and I will come and let you in. 

  • How do I make an appointment? For an appointment at Shoreham, phone me on 0794 157 9068. For an appointment at Wycombe Air Park phone Airways Flying Club on 01494 529262.

  • I have your home phone number listed as 01903 761088 but I always get an answerphone. What should I do? This number is really now only used as a fax number and a backup answering machine in case my mobile phone has a technical problem. Please contact me on my mobile 0794 157 9068.

  • I get the voicemail on 0794 157 9068. What should I do? I do always try to answer my mobile when it rings, but sometimes this is impossible. If you get the voicemail, then please do leave a message, (I do check it regularly, and will phone you back).

  • I have your email as andy@andytobias.freeserve.co.uk. Does it still work? I still check it regularly, but literally hundreds of spam email arrive everyday and your genuine message may well be filtered out. I would recommend that you check the updated contact information  on this web site.     

  • Can you do my initial JAR Class 1 medical at Shoreham or Wycombe? No. All initial JAR Class 1s must be done at the CAA Medical Centre at Gatwick.

  • Can you do American FAA Medicals? No, sorry, I'm not on the FAA list.

  • What about South African Medicals?   Yes, as of Summer 2009 I have been appointed a Designated Medical Examiner for the South African CAA, (but for PPL medicals only, not commercial pilots).

  • What about Canadian ones? I am not on the Canadian list of overseas examiners, but I have been told by Transport Canada that they will accept a report from me as a JAR AME and issue a medical based on that report.

  • Can you do a medical for the recreational UK NPPL? No, these must be done by your registered NHS GP.

  • What happens if my GP doesn't do these? If your GP refuses, then you can get a NPPL with a JAR class 2 medical which I can do.

  • When and where do you do medicals? Usually Tuesdays and Saturdays at Shoreham Airport and Wednesdays and Thursdays at Wycombe Air Park.

  • How long does a medical take? Renewals take between 45 mins and 90 minutes. Initial Class 2s take between 60 minutes and 2 hours.

  • When do I get the result of an initial JAR 2 medical?  This depends. More often than not  you get the result at the time of the examination but sometimes further enquiries are needed. These commonly include getting a specialist doctor, or even a CAA heart specialist to read your ECG, or asking your own GP to provide a report on a pre-existing medical condition, or to repeat a borderline urine or blood test. Complicated issues may require the CAA medical department itself to make a certificatory decision.

 

  • Do many people fail an initial JAR Class 2 medical? No. The vast majority of people with no significant past medical history and who believe themselves to be well pass the medical with no problems. Some people with current or past medical issues will be asked to provide further reports and information prior to issue of their initial certificate. Some medications (particularly antidepressants, tranquillisers and sedating painkillers) are not allowed by the CAA and this can cause a certificatory problem if no acceptable alternative exists.  I am afraid that the failure rate does go up significantly in initial applicants over retirement age and this is usually because of the increased incidence of heart and circulatory problems with increasing age.

  • I have a pre-existing medical problem which I am afraid may prevent me passing an aviation medical. Can I get advice?Yes. If you intend to see me for the medical, ring me first and we can discuss the situation. If you want to do some research yourself first, you can look at the helpful CAA medical department website on http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/med/faq.asp

  • I have had laser eye surgery. Does this count as an eye operation, do I have to declare it at a Class 2 medical and does it matter? Yes you have to declare it. You will also need to prove, by a letter from your eye surgeon or by a previous prescription, that your spectacle prescription before the laser eye surgery was within limits.

  • Do you provide a private GP service. No.

  • Who do I pay and how do I pay? You pay me directly. Cheque with a cheque card to cover the whole amount is best. Cash will do. I can usually take credit and debit cards through Paypal (with a small handling charge).  If you are happy to do so, you may use my computer to make an internet bank transfer. I have had several bounced cheques this year, usually as a result of a genuine mistake rather than fraud, but this can be time consuming and expensive. From 01/01/2010 Bounced cheques will incur an administration charge.

  • How much does it cost, and is the price fixed by the CAA? For my fees, see the  prices on this website. Each AME is free to set their own fees. Mine are generally in line with those listed on the CAA website  http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/49/20090401SchemeOfCharges2009.pdf but remember the CAA do not charge VAT whilst I have to.

  • Why do you make a charge if I don't turn up? You have booked my time. The expenses of providing a room, the equipment, and maintaining my professional registration is the same whether you turn up or not. You may also have prevented someone else from having that appointment. In view of this I reserve the right to apply a £55 fee for "No shows" and late cancellations.

  • I would like a full health screen including the sort of blood tests done at an executive medical. Can you do these as an "add on?"  Yes I can, but there is a significant extra charge (see prices) and I can't do these blood tests on a Saturday due to the laboratory hours of availability. I will send you copies of the blood tests and my advice as to whether any of them requre follow up. Please be aware that if you are having these tests as part of an aviation medical then I must pass any results of certificatory significance on to the CAA.

  • Are you covered by professional indemnity insurance and do you have a CRB disclosure?  Yes, I am covered through the MDDUS and yes, I do have a CRB disclosure.

  • What about chaperones? Whilst a routine aviation medical examination does not usually entail an intimate examination, both the CAA medical department and the General Medical Council strongly advise that a chaperone is offered to all female applicants. My wife, also a doctor, can be  available at Shoreham on Saturdays by appointment. Female pilots may also bring a relative or friend to accompany them.  At Wycombe Air Park, one of the female staff is usually available to chaperone if required. All children under 16 (and remember you can have an Initial Class 2 medical at 15 and a half), must bring a parent or guardian, and it is preferable that anyone under 18, of either sex, also brings a parent. There is also new guidance suggesting that a chaperone be offered to all applicants regardless of gender, and so, if as a male pilot, you would like a chaperone, please do ask, preferably at the time of booking.

  • If I want to make a complaint. a suggestion, or even a compliment, how do I do so?    Please contact me directly by telephone, e-mail, or in writing.
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