1. What is Involved in a UK Class 2 Medical Examination?

It is completely normal for student pilots to experience a touch of anxiety before their medical. However, the examination is a straightforward, multi-stage physical assessment conducted by a specialist doctor. While the physical checks typically take around 45 to 90 minutes, the CAA officially advises that the complete appointment may take several hours depending on clinic wait times and required tests.

To help you prepare, here is exactly what your AME will evaluate:

• Comprehensive Medical History: A deep dive into your past clinical records, previous surgeries, and any ongoing prescription medications. Crucially, the CAA requires you to declare your family medical history. Honesty is a legal requirement here; failing to declare a known condition on your Cellma application is an offence.
  

• Vision Assessment & Colour Perception: You will be tested for distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity. The standard requires you to see at least 6/9 in each eye separately and 6/6 binocularly. You will also take the Ishihara plate test to check for colour vision deficiencies. Note: If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you must bring them along with your most recent optician’s report.
  

• Hearing Test (Audiology): The AME will conduct a conversational "whisper test" from a distance of 2 metres behind you to ensure you can hear standard voice communications. Note: A formal audiogram is not typically required for a standard Class 2 Medical unless you are applying for an Instrument Rating (IR).
  

• Cardiovascular Check: The doctor will listen to your heart (auscultation) and check your blood pressure, ensuring it falls within the acceptable Part-MED limits (generally below 160/95 mmHg). A resting 12-lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) may be required at your initial exam, and at specific age intervals thereafter.
  

• Lung Function Test & Physical Neurology: The CAA specifically requires a lung function test (often using spirometry) to measure your respiratory capacity. This is paired with a general physical check of your abdomen and limbs, alongside basic neurological coordination tests to ensure you can physically manipulate aircraft flight controls.
  

• Urine Analysis: The AME will conduct a standard dipstick test checking for the presence of blood, protein, or glucose, which serve as early indicators of underlying issues like diabetes or kidney disease. The CAA officially advises arriving at the examination with a full bladder.

2. Where Can I Get a Class 2 Medical and How Do I Book?

A UK Part-MED Class 2 medical certificate cannot be issued by your standard NHS local GP. The examination must be conducted by a CAA-authorised Aeromedical Examiner (AME) or at an approved Aeromedical Centre (AeMC). These are independent, specialised doctors who have undergone rigorous aviation medicine training certified by the Civil Aviation Authority.

2.1 How to Find an Aeromedical Examiner (AME) Near You

Because AMEs operate independently, you will not book this through your flight school. To find a qualified examiner, you must use the official CAA Find an AME Service.

You can filter this database by your postcode or town. Fortunately for student pilots, most major UK General Aviation airfields have AMEs based either directly on-site or within a short driving distance. Popular training hubs with excellent aeromedical access include:

• London & South: Elstree Aerodrome, Wycombe Air Park, Blackbushe, and Shoreham (Brighton City).
  

• Midlands & North: Coventry, Nottingham (Tollerton), and City Airport (Barton).

2.2 How to Book Your Appointment (Step-by-Step)

Booking your aviation medical requires a specific sequence to ensure you are legally compliant before stepping into the doctor's office. Follow these steps:

1. Locate an AME: Use the CAA online search tool to find 2 or 3 examiners within your driving radius.
   

2. Contact Directly for Lead Times: Reach out to the AME directly via phone or email. Expert Tip: Do not leave this until the last minute. Wait times for a Class 2 initial examination can often stretch from two to six weeks depending on the season and the examiner's NHS commitments.
   

3. Declare Pre-existing Conditions: When you make the initial booking enquiry, mention any significant personal or family medical history. The AME will advise if you need to arrange additional specialist reports (such as a cardiology letter) prior to your visit.
   

4. The Golden Rule—Complete Cellma: CRUCIAL: You must register for a CAA Customer Portal account and fully complete your digital medical application on the Cellma portal before attending your physical appointment. Your AME cannot legally conduct the examination if your digital Cellma record is incomplete or if the CAA application fee remains unpaid. More on Cellma Next...

3. How to Register for Cellma: Step-by-Step UK CAA Guide

The UK Civil Aviation Authority strictly manages all pilot medical records through a digital electronic filing system called Cellma. Paper applications are no longer accepted. You absolutely cannot receive a medical certificate, or even be examined by an AME, without an active and fully completed Cellma account.

Because the registration involves manual identity checks by the CAA, do not leave this until the day before your appointment. Follow these exact steps at least two weeks prior to your medical exam:

1. Create a CAA Customer Portal Account: Navigate to the official [UK CAA Customer Portal] and register as a new user. To verify your identity, you will be required to upload a clear digital copy of a government-issued ID (such as a valid UK Passport or Driving Licence).
   

2. Apply for the "Medical" Service: Once your main portal account is verified and active, log in and request access to the specific "Medical" service. Warning: Approval for this specific service is not immediate and can take up to 5 working days to be processed by the regulator.
   

3. Complete the Application Questionnaire: Once granted access to the Medical (Cellma) area, click on "Apply for a Medical Certificate". You must complete the comprehensive medical questionnaire, detailing your full clinical and family history.
   

4. Pay the CAA Oversight Fee: Before your application is finalised, you must pay the CAA regulatory administrative fee (approximately £15) directly through the secure Cellma payment gateway.
   

5. Submit for AME Retrieval: Once completed and paid, your digital file is securely held on the CAA servers. When you arrive at your physical appointment, your chosen Aeromedical Examiner (AME) will "pull" your digital application onto their system to record the results of your physical examination.

Expert Tip for Cellma: Write down your CAA Reference Number (which is generated when you create your portal account) and take it with you to your medical appointment. Your AME will need this exact 7-digit number to locate your file on the server!

4. How Much Does a UK Class 2 Medical Cost?

A common point of confusion for student pilots is who actually receives the payment for the medical assessment. Because AMEs operate as independent, private doctors rather than direct employees of the regulator, the cost of your UK Part-MED Class 2 Medical is split into two distinct parts:

1. The CAA Administrative Fee

• Cost: Approximately £15.00 to £20.00
  

• How to Pay: This is the regulatory oversight and application fee. It is paid securely online via the Cellma portal at the exact time you submit your digital medical application. Your AME does not collect this money.
  

2. The AME Professional Examination Fee

• Cost: Typically between £170.00 and £250.00
  

• How to Pay: This is the private doctor’s fee for their time, expertise, and clinic use. You pay this directly to the AME's clinic on the day of your physical examination. Expert Tip: Prices vary wildly depending on the AME's location (e.g., London airfields are generally more expensive than regional clinics). It pays to shop around!
  

3. Additional Specialist Tests (If Required) While the standard physical is covered by the AME fee, certain mandatory tests incur extra charges:

• Resting Electrocardiogram (ECG): Mandatory for your initial Class 2 issue and at specific age milestones (e.g., ages 40 and 50). Expect to pay an additional £40 to £70.
  

• Audiogram: While a conversational whisper test is standard, a formal audiogram is required if you are also applying for an Instrument Rating (IR). This typically costs an extra £40 to £60.

Remember, this is just a small aspect of the bigger cost when obtaining the full PPL. Read our updated post for 2026 on the estimated costs for obtaining your PPL.

5. How Long is a UK Class 2 Medical Valid For?

The validity period of your UK Part-MED Class 2 medical certificate is not a flat rate; it depends entirely on your exact age on the day of your examination.

Important: The "Hidden" Age Expiry Traps While the standard periods above apply to most pilots, the CAA enforces strict cut-off limits if you are approaching a milestone birthday. You must check your certificate's expiry date carefully, as it may be cut short:

• The Age 42 Trap: If you are issued a Class 2 medical before you reach 40, it will automatically expire once you reach 42 years of age, even if the standard 60-month window has not yet finished.
  

• The Age 51 Trap: If you are issued a Class 2 medical before you reach 50, it will automatically expire once you reach 51 years of age, superseding the standard 24-month window.

Next Steps: Once your medical is sorted and you have your certificate in hand, you can confidently turn your full attention to the theoretical side of your flight training. Read our complete guide to How to Pass the 9 UK CAA PPL e-Exams to learn how to prepare for your ground school subjects.

6. Frequently Asked Questions