10.30 Fitness to Fly

10.30.2 Describe the term fitness to fly.

A pilot needs to be fit both mentally and physically to withstand the considerable and varying demands that can arise within the flying environment.

The pilot needs to be free from any:

• disease;
• disability;
• illness; or
• drug effect

that could suddenly or subtly interfere with the ability to operate the aircraft safely.

A pilot needs to be capable of recognising when they are fit to fly and when they are not, and to understand the factors that can affect such fitness.

Not all doctors have a working knowledge of the aviation environment and its effects on the human body.

Each pilot should therefore have access to an aviation medicine doctor when appropriate.

Key point

A pilot must be physically and mentally fit to safely operate the aircraft.

10.30.4 Explain the responsibilities of pilots towards medical fitness for flight.

When a pilot becomes ill, has a serious accident, requires surgery, or experiences another significant medical condition, the pilot must consider whether they remain medically fit to fly.

Where required, the pilot should inform their aviation medical examiner or medical assessor so that their fitness to continue flying can be assessed.