Medical Requirements
Updated 15 July 2023 to include note d.
1. All pilots
All pilots are reminded of the Sailplane Air Operations rule ‘SAO.GEN.130 Responsibilities of the pilot-in-command’, which include:
The pilot-in-command shall not perform duties on a sailplane in one of the following situations:
- 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;
- 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.
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. Instructors
Instructors are to ensure that they that they have demonstrated or declared medical fitness relevant to the licence or certificate privileges being used. 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.
6. Competition pilots
Special 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.
7. Medical standards
Please read carefully as use of licence privileges will potentially result in a different medical requirement from that used when flying using a BGA gliding certificate.
| Student pilot or passenger when flying dual with a qualified pilot in command | No additional requirement other than stated on the club membership form |
| Pilot in command - under BGA requirements | 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 For visitors, any ICAO or non-ICAO medical document valid for gliding in their own country is acceptable, or Part-MED LAPL medical or Class2 medical certificate, or CAA Pilot Medical Declaration |
| Pilot in command DUAL using BGA pilot certificate/instructor privileges with a non-pilot passenger or a student pilot | Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 medical certificate, or CAA Pilot Medical Declaration, or GP endorsed BGA medical declaration (Annex B) |
| Pilot in command using CAA issued pilot licence privileges, including SPL privileges, including passenger carrying and instructing | Part-MED LAPL medical or Class 2 medical certificate, or CAA Pilot Medical Declaration |
| Pilot in command passenger carrying and instructing where the pilot in command is aged over 75 | Part-MED LAPL medical, Class 2 medical certificate, or CAA Pilot Medical Declaration to fly aircraft not more than 5700kg MTOM |
| Student pilot in command under SFCL rules | Part-MED LAPL medical, Class 2 medical certificate (on issue of an SPL, the pilot may utilize the CAA Pilot Medical Declaration) |
Annex A and Annex B forms are available here.
8. 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.
9. Notes
a. Full details of the CAA pilot medical requirements are available on the CAA website.
b. A ‘Part 21 sailplane’ was known as an ‘EASA sailplane’. A ‘non-Part 21 sailplane’ was known as a ‘non-EASA’ sailplane.
c. There is no minimum age for a LAPL medical certificate.
d. ‘Aged over 75’ means on reaching age 75 and beyond.
e. 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.