Medical Requirements

Updated 30th September 2025.

1. All pilots including instructors

All pilots are reminded of the Sailplane Air Operations rule ‘SAO.GEN.130 Responsibilities of the pilot-in-command’, which include that ‘the pilot-in-command shall not perform duties on a sailplane when he or she is incapacitated from performing duties by any cause, including injury, sickness, medication, fatigue or the effects of any psychoactive substance, or feels otherwise unfit, or if applicable medical requirements are not fulfilled’.

All pilots are to ensure that they have demonstrated or declared medical fitness required by the licence or pilot certificate privileges being used. It is a personal responsibility of all pilots to be fit for flight including to recognise the adverse effects of short-term illness, alcohol, drugs, medication, treatment, or fatigue. It is an offence to fly with more than 20mg/100ml of blood alcohol; that is far less than the level permitted to private road drivers. Following recovery from serious illness or accident, future fitness to fly will require review.

Pilots are reminded of their responsibility not to fly in the event of a decrease in their fitness with respect to an illness, medical condition, medical surgery or treatment including medication that may affect the safe operation of an aircraft. Consultation with a medical practitioner and/or AME may be needed to advise the pilot as to whether the fitness conditions of the CAA Pilot Medical Declaration are met or continue to be met.

Full details of the CAA medical requirements are published on their website at https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/applications/medical/medical-requirements-for-private-pilots/

2. Clubs

The validity of members demonstrated or declared medical fitness to fly should be checked and recorded by the club, taking into consideration data protection requirements.

3. Disabled pilots and those with specified medical conditions

It is the policy of the BGA to encourage disabled pilots to fly within the limits of their disability and subject only to the limits of public safety. However, these pilots will require individual consideration and perhaps aircraft modification. Further notes relating to specific medical conditions are on the CAA web site. The CAA does not allow pilots who are prescribed medication for psychiatric conditions to self-declare their fitness to fly.

4. Passengers and student pilots during dual flying

There are no specific requirements and almost anyone can safely be taken into the air, but club membership application forms should as a minimum require the applicant to ‘declare in confidence any medical condition that might adversely affect the flight’.

5. Competition pilots

Additional provisions apply to competition pilots who come under the jurisdiction of the World Anti-Doping Agency. International competition pilots may be subject to testing at any time and some ‘recreational drugs’ may be detectable for a very long time after use. Some energy drinks or food supplements may contain prohibited substances. Other competition pilots may be subject to testing during competitions.

6. Medical standards

Please read carefully.

Student pilot or passenger when flying dual with a qualified pilot in command

  • No additional requirement other than stated on the club membership form

Student pilot in command

  • Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 or 1 medical certificate, or
  • CAA Pilot Medical Declaration

Pilot in command using CAA issued pilot licence privileges, including SPL privileges, including passenger carrying and instructing

  • Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 or 1 medical certificate, or
  • CAA Pilot Medical Declaration

Non-Part 21 gliders only (i.e. where flown using BGA Gliding Certificate privileges)

Pilot in command solo in a non-Part 21 glider

  • A driving licence issued by the UK or the Crown dependencies or an EU nation, or
  • For those under the age of 25, a self-declaration to DVLA group1 standard (Annex A), or
  • Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 or 1 medical certificate, or
  • CAA Pilot Medical Declaration

Pilot in command flying with a qualified pilot passenger in a non-Part 21 glider

  • A driving licence issued by the UK or the Crown dependencies or an EU nation, or
  • For those under the age of 25, a self-declaration to DVLA group1 standard (Annex A), or
  • Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 or 1 medical certificate, or
  • CAA Pilot Medical Declaration

Pilot in command dual in a non-Part 21 glider with a non-pilot passenger

  • Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 or 1 medical certificate, or
  • CAA Pilot Medical Declaration

The Annex A form is available here.

7. Higher medical standards

BGA member clubs are free to impose higher medical standards. However, it is recommended that this is done only in individual cases and then following medical advice. In cases of concern, a club can require a member to seek and follow medical advice.