General Health

A healthy pilot is as essential to a safe flight as a mechanically sound aircraft. There is no precise regulation that tells pilots whether they are fit to fly and there is no pre-flight inspection to ensure fitness. Therefore, individuals must base their decision to fly on common sense, good judgement, and training prior to each flight. While flying an aircraft, a pilot must not have any condition that impairs alertness, reaction time or decision-making ability. Persons with conditions that could result in sudden or subtle incapacitation, such as epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes requiring insulin, or psychiatric illnesses, cannot be medically certified until their case is reviewed by the Civil Aviation Medicine Branch. Conditions such as anaemia, acute infections and gastrointestinal illnesses are temporarily disqualifying. When there is any doubt about their health, pilots should consult their physician or Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME).