Medical Requirements

It is a myth that pilots need to be in perfect health. Since 2002 many thousands of pilots have gained their pilots licences with just a DVLA HGV Medical Declaration of Health issued by their GP. The medical restrictions for a recreational or hobby pilot are thus not particularly stringent.

Glasses and contact lenses are permitted. After correction, your eyesight should good enough to drive.

If you are interested in making flying a career, then we highly recommend you obtain either a class 1 or class 2 CAA medical. For either case we suggest you come into the office, so we can tell you how to go about obtaining them. For class 2 medicals the club has it's own doctor with a surgery in Newcastle. Class 1 medicals must be obtained at Gatwick.

Age

You will be pleased to hear that there is no maximum age to start your flight training - so if you have been putting off your dream because you fear you are too old, then please pay us a visit and rekindle your passion for flight. We have members learning in their 60's. Why don't you become one of them?

Strictly speaking, there is no minimum age to begin pilot training. The only requirement is that the student be tall enough to reach all the controls including the pedals. Pay us a visit should this be in doubt. There is a minimum age restriction of 14 years however, before a flight student can begin counting their experience towards a pilots licence. Two more restrictions apply; namely: 16 years for solo flight and 17 years for licence application. Put simply a pilot can not get their 'wings' until they are 17 years old.