Blood tests

Class 1
Professional pilots will have a number of blood tests taken at their initial examination at Gatwick. After that they will need a Haemoglobin blood test taken at every examination. This is taken as a finger prick sample. We are able to give an immediate result without having to send a blood sample to a laboratory.

Cholesterol measurements are required at the initial examination and again at age 40yrs.

Class 2
Private Pilots have a Haemoglobin test at their initial examination only.
Cholesterol will be checked at the initial examination and at age 40 years only if two or more cardiovascular disease risk factors are identified.

Now for the science bit…

What is Haemoglobin?

Haemoglobin provides the colouration to our blood and is contained within the red blood cells. A lack of Haemoglobin is what we call anaemia. It is Haemoglobin that transports oxygen around the body. This is important enough when we are on the ground but becomes more critical in the air where the partial pressure of oxygen is reduced. The presence of anaemia could make the difference between life and death in the event of sudden cabin decompression. It also reduces G tolerance for you aerobatic pilots out there.

Smokers should be aware that smoking reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and thus has the same effect as anaemia.

Audiometry
Eye Examination
Cholesterol Test
Basic examination
ECG
Peak Flow Measurement