What class of medical certificate do you really need to fly?
- Dr. Rob Massera | DAME
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
Whether you’re aiming for your first solo or flying left seat in a commercial jet, you need the right class of medical certificate to exercise the privileges of your pilot licence. In this article we breakdown the different classes of CASA medical certificates, covering: Class 1, Class 2 & Basic Class 2 (BC2), Class 3, Class 5 (self-assessment) and RAMPC.
Did you know…you don’t actually need a medical certificate to fly?
What? Thats right...student pilots flying with a qualified flight instructor do not actually need any medical certification to fly!
Limitations: cannot fly Solo or as Pilot In Charge (PIC)
Good to know: students are not obligated but should advise their instructor of any significant medical conditions that could be incapacitating such as (but not limited to): diabetes, seizures, stroke, heart-attack, asthma, psychiatric conditions, vision disorders or hearing loss.
Did you know? Before you can fly solo - Student pilots learning to fly must be medically certified as fit-to-fly with a: Class 1 or 2, Basic Class 2, RAMPC or Class 5 medical certificate
Classes of CASA medical certification
Class 1 | For Professional Pilots - Commercial & Airline Pilots
Who it’s for: commercial pilots, professional pilots & flight engineers
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL)
Flight Engineers
Valid for: 1 year or 6 monthly (if ATPL & > 60 years of age)
Assessed by: Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME)
Good to know: Still possible to hold with a medical condition - however CASA may add conditions to the certificate.
How to apply: via the Medical Records System - accessible via the myCASA portal.
Class 2 | For Private & Recreational Pilots
Who it’s for: private & recreational pilots
Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL)
Commercial Balloon Pilots
Valid for: 2 years (if over 40) or 4 years (if under 40)
Assessed by: Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) or DAME2
How to apply: via the Medical Records System, accessible via the myCASA portal
Did you know? Commercial pilots can still fly solo, non-passenger ops (under 8618 kg) with just a Class 2.
Basic Class 2 | The Easy Entry Point
Who it’s for: RPL, Recreational or private flying - useful for first solo or hobby pilots
Valid for: 2 years (if over 40) or 4 years (if under 40)
Assessed by: GP’s who do commercial driving medicals
Limitations: Must meet the Austroads unconditional commercial driver standard
Private day VFR only (no IFR, IMC nor night VFR) < 10,000 feet
Singled Piston engine aircraft under 8618 kg
Max 5 passengers
No aerobatics, IFR, or instructor/instrument ratings
How to apply: application forms can be downloaded from the Medical Records System, accessible via the myCASA portal.
Did you know?...You can still apply for a Class 2 medical certificate IF you don’t meet the unconditional commercial driver standard
Class 3 | For Air Traffic Controllers
Who it’s for: ATC licence or Flight Service Officers
Valid for: 2 years
Assessed by: Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME)
How to apply: via the Medical Records System, accessible via the myCASA portal.
RAMPC | Recreational Aviation Medical Practitioners Certificate
Who is it for: RPL, recreational flying, cheaper & easier application process
Valid for: 1 year (ages > 65), 2 years (ages < 65)
Assessed by: GP’s who do private driving medicals
Limitations: Must meet the (Austroads) unconditional private driver’s licence standard & not have ANY disqualifying medical conditions
Private day VFR only (no IFR, IMC nor night VFR) < 10,000 feet
Singled Piston engine aircraft under 1500 kg
Max 1 passengers
No aerobatics, IFR, or instructor/instrument ratings
How to apply: https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/recreational-aviation-medical-practitioners-certificate-form-166.pdf
Did you know? You can still apply for a Class 2 medical certificate IF you don’t meet the unconditional private driver licence standard
Class 5 | Self-Declaration Medical
Who it’s for: Private, Recreational pilots or students starting flight training with an unconditional private driver’s licence
Eligibility: MUST meet fitness and eligibility requirements + complete & pass CASA online training + self-declare and operate within limitations.
Valid for: 1 year (ages > 75), 2 years (ages 40 to 74 or 16 to 74 if hold a conditional driver’s licence) or 5 years (ages 16 to 39)
Assessed by: Self-Assessment (no GP or DAME required)!
Limitations: must meet (Austroads) private drivers licence standard
Private day VFR only (no IFR, IMC or night VFR) < 10,000 feet
Single piston engine aircraft < 2000kg
Max 1 passenger
No aerobatics, formation flying nor use any of other ratings
How it works: Self-assess against a checklist, must complete CASA online training - No doctor visit required, Quickest & cheapest medical path
How to apply: log into myCASA + complete online training + apply via the MRS
Did you know? You can still apply for a Class 2 medical certificate IF you don’t meet the unconditional private driver licence standard
Key Takeaways
Class 1 = CPL for Professionals pilots
Class 2 = RPL/PPL for Private flying (& commercial balloon pilots)
Basic Class 2 = RPL/PPL for cheaper, easier certification & day VFR flying
Class 3 = ATC only
RAMPC = RPL only for cheaper, easier certification & day VFR flying
Class 5 = Self-declare for RPL only, or early training & day VFR flying only
Got a medical condition? Don’t panic - Talk to AeroKare - most pilots can still fly with conditions on their certificate.
Need your aviation medical sorted fast? Book in with an AeroKare Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) who understands pilots and CASA.
Q: Got more questions?
Contact us: info@aerokare.com.au
References & links to more information:
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