When it comes to flying, clearing your medical exams is an essential step.
CASA Class 2 Medical (Initial)
I began my journey with the Class 2 Medical, a necessary step to prepare for potential solo flights during my training in Australia over Easter 2024.
To get started, I submitted an application for a Class 2 Medical on myCASA, with an application fee of AUD $65 (HKD $350). I secured an appointment with Dr. Frank O’Tremba @ DR VIO, though the earliest available slot was over 3 weeks away. The exam itself cost HKD $2,266.
On the day of the exam, the process was straightforward. Nurses conducted basic medical checks, followed by a brief examination by the doctor. The entire visit, including waiting time, took around 2 hours, while the actual exam lasted about 20 minutes.
To my surprise, the certificate was issued on the same afternoon.
Looking back, had I known how efficient the process would be, I might have scheduled the exam closer to my departure date to make the most of its four-year validity period.
CASA Class 1 Medical (Initial)
The Class 1 Medical is a more comprehensive assessment and mandatory for obtaining a CPL. As soon as I received my flight school offer, I scheduled the Class 1 Medical to ensure there were no delays in my training progression.
I submitted a new medical application online and booked an appointment with Dr. Martin Chiu. Compared to Dr. Frank O’Tremba, whose earliest available slot was over few weeks away, Dr. Martin Chiu who also works at DR VIO, had an appointment available in just 4 days. For those wondering about costs, the fees for both doctors were the same: HKD $3,784 for the medical exam, in addition to the AUD $75 (HKD $407) application fee.
What Happens During a Class 1 Medical?
- Urine sample
- Vision test
- Blood test
- Auditory test
- ECG
The entire process was quick and efficient. I arrived at 9:15am, met with the doctor at 10am and was out of the clinic by 10:30am. Since the exam includes a blood test which requires fasting, scheduling a morning appointment would be the ideal choice.
Eye Exam
As someone who wears glasses, I was required to undergo a detailed ophthalmological examination. I booked mine with Dr. Chan Hoi Yee Catherine in Central. The process was thorough and included:
- Colour vision test
- Visual acuity test
- Focal point test
- Eye pressure test
- Pupil dilation
Eye drops are used to dilate pupils, which takes about 30 minutes. After dilation, close-up vision is temporarily impaired, and for me, the effect lasted around 2 hours. During this time, using your phone or reading becomes challenging. If you’re scheduling this test, be prepared for temporary discomfort and plan your activities accordingly.
Dr. Chan is thorough, which reflects in her long wait times. I arrived at 12:50PM and didn’t leave until 3:15PM. And it was another HKD $2,000. Ka ching.
After completing all the required tests, I informed Dr. Chiu’s clinic. Dr. Chiu submitted my Class 1 Medical application to CASA and I received my certificate 10 days later.
Timeline Summary
- T+00: Submitted Class 2 medical application
- T+23: Completed Class 2 medical exam
- T+23: Received Class 2 medical certificate
- T+00: Submitted Class 1 medical application
- T+05: Completed Class 1 medical exam
- T+12: Called to book for an eye exam
- T+18: Completed Class 1 eye exam
- T+22: Doctor submitted Class 1 medical application
- T+32: Received Class 1 medical certificate
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