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Before you commit a single euro to pilot training, there is one thing you should do first: get your EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate. It takes half a day, costs a few hundred euros, and tells you definitively whether you are medically eligible to become a commercial pilot.
For Quality Fly students, we make this even easier — our partner medical centre in Madrid offers a preferential rate of €450 for enrolled applicants, and your admissions team will arrange the appointment for you.
Here is everything you need to know.
What is the EASA Class 1 Medical?
The EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate is the mandatory health credential for all commercial pilots in Europe. It is the highest standard of medical assessment in aviation, and required for any pilot holding or applying for a CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence), ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence), or MPL (Multi-Pilot Licence).
The certificate is issued under Part-MED of EU Regulation 1178/2011, which establishes uniform medical standards across all 27 EASA member states. A Class 1 medical issued in Spain is valid across the entire European Union, and at the same standard as one issued in Germany, France, or the Netherlands.
Class 1 vs Class 2: What’s the Difference?
There are three levels of aviation medical certificate under EASA:
- Class 1 — required for commercial pilot operations (CPL, ATPL, MPL). This is the standard you need to fly for an airline.
- Class 2 — required for private pilot operations (PPL). Less stringent than Class 1.
- LAPL — applies to Light Aircraft Pilot Licence holders. The least demanding standard, sometimes assessable by a general practitioner.
If your goal is to become a commercial airline pilot, Class 1 is the only relevant standard. You do not need to obtain a Class 2 first — the Class 1 encompasses all Class 2 privileges.
What does the Class 1 Physical Examination Include?
The initial Class 1 examination is comprehensive and typically takes 3–4 hours at an approved Aeromedical Centre (AeMC). It covers the following:
Vision testing This is the most commonly asked-about element. The specific EASA standards are:
- Distant visual acuity: 6/9 or better in each eye separately, and 6/6 or better with both eyes together
- Near and intermediate vision is also assessed
- Colour vision is tested using Ishihara plates; if not passed, further lantern testing is conducted
- Corrective lenses (glasses and contact lenses) are permitted, provided acuity standards are met with correction. A spare pair must be carried during flight.
Hearing An audiogram is conducted in a soundproof booth to measure hearing ability across frequencies relevant to cockpit communications.
Cardiovascular assessment An ECG (electrocardiogram) is conducted at the initial examination and at every examination from age 40 onwards. From age 50, additional cardiovascular screening may be requested.
Lung function A pulmonary function (spirometry) test assesses your lung capacity. This is typically required at initial examination.
Blood and urine tests Blood tests screen kidney and liver function, lipid profile, glucose levels, and haemoglobin. Urine analysis screens for blood, sugar, and in some cases drug metabolites.
Neurological assessment Checks reflexes, coordination, balance, and basic cognitive function.
Medical history review You will complete a detailed questionnaire covering personal and family medical history, medications, surgeries, previous hospitalisations, mental health history, alcohol and substance use, and any previous aviation medical denials or restrictions. Honesty is essential here — undeclared conditions that are discovered later carry far more serious consequences than disclosing them upfront. Many conditions are certifiable with proper documentation; concealment is not.
General physical examination Height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, and a full clinical examination including heart and lung auscultation.
5 Things That Will NOT Disqualify You (Common Myths Debunked)
Many prospective pilots approach the Class 1 medical with more anxiety than the situation warrants. Here are the most common concerns — and the honest reality:
«Wearing glasses means I can’t become a pilot.» False. Corrected vision is fully acceptable for Class 1 certification, provided the corrected acuity meets the 6/9 (each eye) and 6/6 (binocular) thresholds. Both glasses and contact lenses are permitted. The vast majority of people who wear corrective lenses pass without issue.
«Being overweight will disqualify me.» Not necessarily. What is assessed is the impact of BMI on overall health and ability to perform pilot duties safely. Being moderately overweight is not disqualifying; what matters is whether it leads to associated health complications.
«I have mild hypertension — my career is over before it starts.» Not true. Hypertension that is well-controlled with medication and regular monitoring is generally not disqualifying. Discuss your situation with the examining doctor honestly and in advance.
«I’ve had depression or anxiety — that rules me out.» Many pilots with well-managed depression or anxiety are certified. The key factors are stability, treatment, and the absence of operational risk. Undeclared mental health history is riskier than disclosed and managed history.
«A heart abnormality on my ECG means I’ve failed.» An abnormal ECG result triggers further investigation, not automatic rejection. Many ECG variations are benign. Additional testing is required to determine whether the finding affects certification.
The general principle: the EASA medical system is designed to ensure safety, not to demand physical perfection. If you have a known condition, consult an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) for an informal assessment before booking your formal examination — this costs nothing and can save significant anxiety.
How to Prepare for Your Class 1 Medical
Practical preparation makes a measurable difference to your results, particularly for blood pressure and blood test readings:
- Book a morning appointment — blood pressure readings are typically lower in the morning and less affected by the day’s stresses
- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the examination
- Avoid caffeine for at least 4 hours before — it elevates blood pressure and heart rate
- Get a full night’s sleep the night before
- Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, and your optician’s prescription if you have one
- Bring a list of any medications you are currently taking, including dosage
- Bring any specialist reports for known conditions — proactively presenting this documentation speeds up the process considerably
- Bring valid photo ID
How to Get Your Class 1 Medical in Spain
The initial Class 1 medical examination must be conducted at a certified Aeromedical Centre (AeMC) — it cannot be done by a regular GP or even by a standard AME (Aviation Medical Examiner). Renewal and revalidation examinations can be conducted by either an AeMC or an authorised AME.
In Spain, AeMCs are certified and listed by AESA (the Spanish aviation authority). You can find the complete official list of accredited Aeromedical Centres at seguridadaerea.gob.es. Centres are available in Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and other major cities.
Quality Fly’s Partner Medical Centre — €450 for Enrolled Students
The standard cost of an initial Class 1 medical in Spain is approximately €600. Quality Fly has a partnership with a certified AeMC in Madrid, offering enrolled students a discounted rate of €450 for their initial examination — a saving of €150.
Your admissions team arranges the appointment directly as part of the enrolment process. You do not need to find or book the centre yourself.
Important: we recommend getting your medical before formally committing to any training programme — including ours. Approximately 3–5% of applicants are deferred or denied. It takes half a day and costs €450 to find out. Learn this before spending €86,000, not after.
Understanding exactly when your medical expires is important — flying with an invalid medical certificate is a serious regulatory breach.
| Age | Certificate validity |
|---|---|
| Under 40 | 12 months |
| 40–59 (multi-crew operations) | 12 months |
| 40+ (single-pilot commercial ops with passengers) | 6 months |
| 60 and over | 6 months |
Revalidation vs renewal — an important distinction:
- Revalidation can be done up to 45 days before expiry and keeps the original expiry date — you do not lose any validity time
- Renewal (after expiry) starts a new validity period from the date of examination
- If your medical has been expired for over 5 years, a full initial examination is required
The practical rule: book your revalidation appointment approximately 6 weeks before expiry to allow for any unexpected additional testing.
Renewal Costs
Renewal and revalidation examinations are less extensive than the initial examination and therefore less expensive. Typical renewal cost in Spain: €150. This can be conducted at any AESA-authorised AeMC or AME with Class 1 renewal privileges — not necessarily at the same centre as your initial examination.
What Happens If You Don’t Pass?
A first-attempt deferral or denial is not the end of your pilot ambitions. Several options exist:
- Request formal review by AESA. You can submit additional specialist reports, independent assessments, and functional demonstrations to support your case. Many conditions that trigger deferral at initial examination are subsequently certified with proper documentation.
- Consult an Aviation Medical Examiner informally before the formal examination if you have a known concern. This is a low-cost way to understand your specific situation before it becomes a formal assessment record.
- Wait and address the condition. Some deferrals are temporary — related to conditions that can be treated, managed, or stabilised before re-examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Class 1 medical take? The initial examination typically takes 3–4 hours at an AeMC. Renewal examinations are shorter, usually 1–2 hours.
Can I wear glasses and still become a pilot? Yes. Corrected vision is fully acceptable under EASA Class 1 standards, provided the corrected acuity meets the required thresholds (6/9 each eye, 6/6 binocular). You must carry a spare pair during flight.
What vision do I need for a Class 1 medical? Distant visual acuity of 6/9 or better in each eye separately, and 6/6 or better binocularly — with or without correction.
Where can I get a Class 1 medical in Spain? At any AESA-certified AeMC. Quality Fly students can use our partner centre in Madrid at a discounted rate of €450, arranged by our admissions team.
How much does the Class 1 medical cost in Spain? The standard rate is approximately €600 for the initial examination and around €150 for renewals. Quality Fly students pay €450 for their initial exam at our partner centre.
How often do I need to renew my Class 1 medical? Every 12 months if you are under 40 or flying multi-crew operations under 60. Every 6 months if you are 40+ flying single-pilot commercial operations with passengers, or over 60.
What is the difference between revalidation and renewal? Revalidation happens before expiry (up to 45 days early) and keeps the original expiry date. Renewal happens after expiry and starts a new period from the examination date.
What if I have a known health condition? Consult an AME informally before your formal examination. Many conditions are certifiable with proper documentation — undeclared conditions are riskier than disclosed ones. AESA will assess your specific case.
Is a Class 1 medical valid across Europe? Yes. A Class 1 medical issued in Spain by an AESA-authorised centre is recognised across all 27 EASA member states without any additional validation.
Do I need to get a Class 2 medical before a Class 1? No. Class 1 encompasses all Class 2 privileges. You can go directly to a Class 1 examination.
Your Next Step
Get your medical sorted before anything else. If you are applying to Quality Fly’s Integrated ATPL Programme, your admissions team will refer you to our partner AeMC in Madrid and arrange your appointment at the €450 discounted rate as part of the application process.
Learn more about Quality Fly’s Integrated ATPL Programme →
Reserve your place at the next Open Day →
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