Could somebody tell me what is included in the test and what do you need to get through? Class 1

Saludos desde España

 

Read FAR chapter 67. Basically if you can see, hear, talk and breath you should be ok.

 

Chapter 67 is a legal document and doesn't decsribe the actual exam...the FAA AME manual has those details but is not available to us.

If you have never had an FAA exam, I would suggest getting a regular physical by your doctor just to make sure there no obvious red flags. Also get your vision precription checked if you wear glasses/contacts. Get new ones if needed.


The normal first class exam and how I prepare:

The day before:
Minimal Booze
Avoid really strenous exercsie (especially heavy weight lifting)
Eat right
Get a good night's sleep

The day of:
No caffeine (I take the first AM appointment and hit Starbucks on the way home)
Light breakfast, minimal sugar.
No vitamins or supplements before the exam.

The exam...

Questionaire. You will need your current flight times and medical history to fill this out. I always keep copies of this form so it's easier to fill out the next time. Try to find it online so you can track down the info you will need beforehand. Note: lying on this form is a federal felony with potential jail time.

Urine Test: Tests for blood sugar for diabetes. There is no drug or blood chemistry test for the FAA.

Vision Test: This is done with and without glasses, although the without glasses score doesn't matter. The vision requirments are for corrected vision. (with glasses).
-Near Vision: 20/40 each eye (corrected)
-Far Vision:: 20/20 each eye (corrected)
-Middle vison: Age 40+ I think
-Color Vision
-Depth Perception

Hearing Test: Standards are low, you have to be about deaf to fail this one.

Blood Pressure / Heart rate: A really high BP may require follow up tests, but I don't think it is disqualifying.

EKG: If you are age 35 or over you will get an EKG. If anything looks funny (there are a variety of harmless abnormalities that could show up) you may be denied a medical or more likely you will get a medical but require follow-up tests (at your own large expense...that's why I avoid coffee and booze before the medical).

Physical exam: Basic stuff here, just like a normal doctor visit. The doctor will also be observing your movements to spot any obvious neurological or muscular-skeletal problems and will attempt to judge your sanity by light conversation.

That's pretty much it!

 

You'll have to check local regs. I'm assuming you're in Spain. Another idea is to check Google, etc for either regs or places to link to the rules.

 

Is there no 8 hours of fasting required for the urinalysis.

 

No fasting, that's usually for cholesteral. But since it's a blood sugar test, I wouldn't eat a box of fruit loops for breakfast right before going to the exam. If you fail the very basic urine test, you would have to get expensive follow-up tests to clear yourself.

 

I guess I was thinking back to my AF days when they did a FULL blood work up on us every year. Nope... no fruitloops.lol