Dr Mike Brown offers practical guidance for pilots at EAA Chapter 322.
For many pilots, the aviation medical can become one of the most daunting parts of staying current. In some cases, it can feel more stressful than the flying itself. That was exactly why Dr Mike Brown’s recent talk at EAA Chapter 322 struck such a useful and reassuring note. Rather than approaching the subject with fear or unnecessary complexity, Brown broke the process down into practical, manageable advice that reminded those in attendance that preparation and honesty go a long way.
Brown acknowledged what many quietly feel as the years go by, medical renewals do not necessarily get easier with age.
One of the first practical points he raised was timing. Brown reminded attendees that a medical remains valid until the end of the month in which it expires, not simply until the exact date of the previous examination. He also advised pilots to book their medicals early in the month rather than leaving them to the last minute. Doing so creates breathing room should any blood tests, reports or follow-up information be needed before expiry. It was a simple point, but one that could save pilots a great deal of last-minute stress.
Preparation, in general, formed a major part of his advice. Pilots were urged not to arrive for a medical when feeling unwell, and not to underestimate how small oversights can create unnecessary complications. Forgetting glasses, leaving hearing aids behind, arriving stressed after traffic, or turning up without reports from a specialist can all work against an otherwise routine renewal. Brown also emphasised that if a pilot has undergone surgery, been treated for a significant condition, or seen another doctor between medicals, it is important to bring the relevant paperwork along. The more complete the information, the easier it becomes for the examiner to help.
Conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, depression, and even the use of a pacemaker are not always automatic disqualifiers. In many cases, there are established SACAA protocols that allow pilots to continue flying, provided the condition is stable, adequately treated, and supported by the necessary documentation. This was perhaps one of the most encouraging takeaways of the evening: a medical issue does not always mean the end of the road, but it does mean the process must be taken seriously.
Brown also spoke about some of the routine checks that become more relevant with age, including ECGs, lung function testing, hearing, eyesight and blood pressure. These are all familiar parts of the process. The medical, as he framed it, is not there simply to pass or fail a pilot. It is there to assess whether that individual is fit to operate safely and, where necessary, what steps are needed to remain fit-to-fly.
These EAA talks often include a dose of humour, which helps to keep a potentially heavy subject accessible. Questions from the floor touched on alcohol declarations, colour vision, head injuries, epilepsy, prostate testing and cholesterol, giving the talk a broad relevance across the private pilot community. Brown’s delivery made the subject feel far less intimidating than many might have expected.
Aviation medicals may always carry a degree of nerves, particularly as the years pass, but understanding how the system works helps remove some of that uncertainty.
