For those of you considering work in China, before you leave your current job I would like to offer you the following thoughts about the challenges of obtaining and retaining your Chinese Class 1 Medical.
1. In order to obtain your Class 1 medical, you will have to undergo a fairly comprehensive test which involves:
a) Blood testing: Aids, Cholesterol, GPT (ACT) marker (for damaged liver due to Hepatitis, alcoholism).
b) Chest X-Ray
c) Liver and Kidney Ultrasound: Fatty liver, kidney damage
d) Stress ECG with Blood Pressure Check
e) Eye examination
f) Audiogram
g) Weight and Height
h) Ears, Nose, Throat Exam
2. Once you obtain your Class 1 medical you will then have your bi-annual medicals. The ‘Small Medical’ is very straight forward with you having to undertake:
a) Blood test
b) Ears, Nose, Throat exam
c) Regular ECG
d) Eye Exam
e) Height and Weight
The ‘Large Medical’ will be done on an annual basis and includes:
a) Blood testing: Aids, Cholesterol, GPT (ACT) marker (for damaged liver due to Hepatitis, alcoholism).
b) Chest X-Ray
c) Liver and Kidney Ultrasound: Fatty liver, kidney damage
d) Stress ECG with Blood Pressure Check
e) Eye examination
f) Audiogram – once every few years I believe
g) Weight and Height, Blood Pressure
h) Ears, Nose, Throat Exam
[B]Here are the problems recently encountered by some of the foreign pilots working in China.
1. Blood Pressure: the CAAC places an upper limit of 140-145 mmHg, on ones blood pressure. It appears that foreign pilots have a slightly higher blood pressure on average than the local pilots, which has resulted in suspended medicals and medication be required.
2. Blood Test: This is the new nemesis being encountered by both local an foreign pilots alike. Recently medical suspensions have been due to elevated GPT (ACT) levels. The normal range (as accepted in the west) is from 0-60. The CAAC however, as arbitrarily reduced the normal range from 0-40 which has caused several pilots with GPT levels in the 50’s to have their medicals revoked. Here is the kicker: no credible doctors in the western world would hold a pilot’s medical for elevated GPT levels unless other markers are considered as well. The CAAC will also withhold your licence for high cholesterol, rather than bring it to ones attention and then monitor the progress.
In a nutshell, the CAAC does seem to be on a mission to make it harder for foreign pilots to not only obtain the Class 1 medical, but also to hold onto it. This makes the long term viability in working for a Chinese problematic at best. Remember also, that in working for a Chinese airline none of the brokers offer any life, health, loss of licence benefits. You are very much at the mercy of the CAAC doctors – not a very comforting thought.
——————————————————————————–
Aquí explica bastante bien el porqué de tanto suspenso en el reconocimiento médico chino. Suerte si aplicas y ya nos contarás , yo no descarto hacerlo en un futuro próximo.
