No. S 325
Air Navigation Act
(Chapter 6)
Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2000
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Air Navigation Act, the Minister for Communications and Information Technology hereby makes the following Order:
Citation and commencement
1.  This Order may be cited as the Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2000 and shall come into operation on 1st August 2000.
Amendment of paragraph 2
2.  Paragraph 2(1) of the Air Navigation Order (O 2) (referred to in this Order as the principal Order) is amended —
(a)by inserting, immediately before the definition of “aerial work”, the following definitions:
“ “accredited medical conclusion” means the conclusion reached by one or more medical experts acceptable to the Minister for the purposes of the case concerned, in consultation with flight operations experts or other experts if necessary;
“advisory airspace” means an airspace of defined dimensions, or a designated route, within which air traffic advisory service is available;”[quot ];
(b)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “aerodrome”, the following definitions:
“ “aerodrome control service” means air traffic control service for aerodrome traffic;
“aerodrome control tower” means a unit established to provide air traffic control service to aerodrome traffic;
“aerodrome traffic” means all traffic on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome and all aircraft flying in the vicinity of an aerodrome;”;
(c)by deleting the definition of “air traffic control unit” and substituting the following definitions:
“ “air traffic” means all aircraft in flight or operating on the manoeuvring area of an aerodrome;
“air traffic advisory service” means a service provided within advisory airspace to ensure separation, in so far as practical, between aircraft which are operating on flight plans in accordance with Instrument Flight Rules;
“air traffic control clearance” means authorisation for an aircraft to proceed under conditions specified by an air traffic control unit;
“air traffic control service” means a service provided in accordance with this Order for the purpose of —
(a)preventing any collision —
(i)between aircraft; and
(ii)between aircraft and any obstruction on the manoeuvring area; or
(b)expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic;
“air traffic control unit” includes area control centre, approach control office and aerodrome control tower;
“air traffic controller licence” means an air traffic controller licence granted or renewed under paragraph 62A(4);
“air traffic service” includes flight information service, alerting service, air traffic advisory service, air traffic control service, area control service, approach control service and aerodrome control service;”;
(d)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “air transport undertaking”, the following definitions:
“ “alerting service” means a service provided to notify appropriate organisations regarding aircraft in need of search and rescue aid, and to assist such organisations as may be required;
“approach control office” means a unit established to provide air traffic control service to controlled flights arriving at, or departing from, one or more aerodromes;
“approach control service” means air traffic control service for arriving or departing controlled flights;”;
(e)by deleting the definition of “appropriate air traffic control unit” and substituting the following definitions:
“ “apron” means a defined area, on a land aerodrome, intended to accommodate aircraft for the purposes of loading or unloading passengers, mail or cargo, fuelling, parking or maintenance;
“area control centre” means a unit established to provide air traffic control service to controlled flights in control areas under its jurisdiction;
“area control service” means air traffic control service for controlled flights in control areas;”;
(f)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “controlled airspace”, the following definition:
“ “controlled flight” means any flight which is subject to an air traffic control clearance;”;
(g)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “flight crew”, the following definitions:
“ “flight despatcher” means a person appointed by the operator of an aircraft to provide —
(a)assistance to the pilot-in-command in pre-flight preparation for the despatch release; and
(b)supervision of flight while acting as a close link between the aircraft in flight and the ground services, and between the flight crew and the operator’s ground staff,
and includes a flight operations officer;
“flight information centre” means a unit established to provide flight information service and alerting service;
“flight information service” means a service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights;”;
(h)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “flight level”, the following definition:
“ “flight plan” means specified information provided to air traffic services units relating to an intended flight or portion of a flight of an aircraft;”;
(i)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “log book”, the following definition:
“ “manoeuvring area” means that part of an aerodrome to be used for the take-off, landing and taxiing of aircraft, but does not include aprons;”;
(j)by deleting the comma immediately after the word “Information” in the 3rd line of the definition of “notified”;
(k)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “pressurised aircraft”, the following definitions:
“ “problematic use of psychoactive substances” means the use of one or more psychoactive substances in a way that —
(a)constitutes a direct hazard to the user or endangers the lives, health or welfare of any other person; or
(b)causes or worsens an occupational, social, mental or physical problem or disorder suffered by the user;
“psychoactive substances” means alcohol, opiods, cannabinoids, sedatives and hypnotics, cocaine, other psychostimulants, hallucinogens and volatile solvents, but excludes coffee and tobacco;”; and
(l)by inserting, immediately after the definition of “special VFR flight”, the following definition:
“ “taxiing” means the movement of an aircraft on the surface of an aerodrome under its own power, but does not include take-off and landing;”.
Amendment of paragraph 11
3.  Paragraph 11 of the principal Order is amended by inserting, immediately after sub-paragraph (5), the following sub-paragraphs:
(6)  A holder of a licence granted under sub-paragraph (1) shall not perform any function to which his licence relates if he is under the influence of any psychoactive substance which may render him unable to perform such function in a safe and proper manner.
(7)  A holder of a licence granted under sub-paragraph (1) shall not at any time engage in the problematic use of psychoactive substances.”.
Amendment of paragraph 20
4.  Paragraph 20 of the principal Order is amended —
(a)by deleting the word “Every” in the 1st line of sub-paragraph (6) and substituting the words “Subject to paragraph 6 of the Fourteenth Schedule, every”; and
(b)by deleting the words “after the termination of the pregnancy” in the penultimate line of sub-paragraph (9).
New paragraph 24A
5.  The principal Order is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph 24, the following paragraph:
Prohibition of use of psychoactive substances
24A.—(1)  A holder of a licence granted under paragraph 20(1) shall not perform any function specified in the privileges applicable to his licence by virtue of Part A of the Eighth Schedule if he is under the influence of any psychoactive substance which may render him unable to perform such function in a safe and proper manner.
(2)  A holder of a licence granted under paragraph 20(1) shall not at any time engage in the problematic use of psychoactive substances.”.
New paragraph 30A
6.  The principal Order is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph 30, the following paragraph:
Flight despatchers not to use psychoactive substances, etc.
30A.—(1)  No person shall perform any duty or function in the capacity of a flight despatcher if he is under the influence of any psychoactive substance which may render him unable to perform such duty or function in a safe and proper manner.
(2)  A flight despatcher shall not at any time engage in the problematic use of psychoactive substances.”.
New paragraphs 62A to 62H
7.  The principal Order is amended by inserting, immediately after paragraph 62, the following paragraphs:
Licensing of air traffic controllers
62A.—(1)  No person shall —
(a)provide;
(b)hold himself out, whether by use of radio call sign or otherwise, as able to provide; or
(c)supervise any person to provide,
any air traffic service at any place unless —
(i)he holds a valid air traffic controller licence granted or renewed under this paragraph; and
(ii)such air traffic service is specified in one of the valid ratings in his licence.
(2)  Any person who desires to obtain or renew an air traffic controller licence shall apply to the Minister in such form and manner as the Minister may determine.
(3)  An applicant shall undergo such training courses, examinations and tests as the Minister may require.
(4)  The Minister shall, subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, grant or renew an air traffic controller licence if he is satisfied that the applicant —
(a)is not below the age of 21 years;
(b)possesses the necessary knowledge, skill and experience relating to air traffic services; and
(c)satisfies the medical examination and medical fitness requirements specified in the Fourteenth Schedule.
(5)  Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (1), a person who is undergoing on-the-job training for any air traffic service shall be entitled to provide, or hold himself out, by radio call sign or otherwise, as able to provide any air traffic service, if he is directly supervised by a person who holds a valid air traffic controller licence and such air traffic service is specified in one of the valid ratings in the licence.
(6)  Paragraphs 62E, 62F and 62G shall apply to any person referred to in sub-paragraph (5) as they apply to a holder of an air traffic controller licence.
(7)  For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1) and paragraph 62E, “rating” means an authorisation to provide or to supervise the provision of any type of air traffic service specified in the Seventeenth Schedule.
Signature required
62B.  An air traffic controller licence shall be signed by the successful applicant upon the grant or renewal of the licence under paragraph 62A(4) in the presence of a person authorised by the Minister.
Renewal and duration of air traffic controller licence
62C.  An air traffic controller licence may be granted or renewed for such period as stated in the licence or, if no period is stated, for a period of —
(a)24 months from the date the licence is granted or renewed, if the applicant is below the age of 40 years on that date; or
(b)12 months from the date the licence is granted or renewed, if the applicant is not below the age of 40 years on that date.
Replacement of air traffic controller licence
62D.—(1)  Where an air traffic controller licence has been lost or defaced before its expiry, the Minister may, on application, issue a replacement air traffic controller licence.
(2)  Upon issuance of the replacement licence, the holder of the air traffic controller licence to whom the replacement licence is issued shall sign the replacement licence in the presence of a person authorised by the Minister.
Incapacity of air traffic controllers
62E.—(1)  A holder of an air traffic controller licence shall, if —
(a)he knows or has reason to believe that he is suffering from any personal injury which affects his capacity to provide any air traffic service specified in any rating in his licence;
(b)he knows or has reason to believe that he is suffering from any illness which affects his capacity to provide any air traffic service specified in any rating in his licence; or
(c)in the case of a woman, she knows or has reason to believe that she is pregnant,
inform the Minister immediately of such injury, illness or pregnancy.
(2)  A holder of an air traffic controller licence referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b) shall not provide any air traffic service specified in any rating in his licence until —
(a)he has undergone such medical examination as may be required by the Minister and is certified fit to provide such air traffic service; or
(b)if he is not required by the Minister to undergo a medical examination, he has complied with any condition which the Minister may impose on him.
(3)  The Minister may require the holder of an air traffic controller licence referred to in sub-paragraph (1)(c) to undergo such medical examination as may be determined by the Minister.
(4)  A holder of an air traffic controller licence who has been required to undergo the medical examination referred to in sub-paragraph (3) shall not provide any air traffic service specified in any rating in her licence if she is certified to be unfit to provide such air traffic service.
Fatigue of air traffic controllers
62F.  A holder of an air traffic controller licence shall not provide any air traffic service if he knows or has reason to believe that he is suffering from or is likely to suffer from fatigue which may render him unable to provide the air traffic service in a safe and proper manner.
Prohibition of use of psychoactive substances
62G.—(1)  A holder of an air traffic controller licence shall not provide any air traffic service if he is under the influence of any psychoactive substance which may render him unable to provide the air traffic service in a safe and proper manner.
(2)  A holder of an air traffic controller licence shall not at any time engage in the problematic use of psychoactive substances.
Paragraphs 62A to 62G not to apply to members of Armed Forces
62H.  Paragraphs 62A to 62G shall not apply to any member of the Armed Forces who provides any air traffic service in respect of any aircraft under any circumstance.”.
Deletion and substitution of Fourteenth Schedule
8.  The Fourteenth Schedule to the principal Order is deleted and the following Schedule substituted therefor:
FOURTEENTH SCHEDULE
(Paragraphs 20 and 62A)
Medical Examination and Medical Fitness Requirements
Part I — General
1.This Schedule specifies the medical examination and medical fitness requirements for the grant and renewal of licences to a member of flight crew under paragraph 20(1)(a) to (m) of the Order and to an air traffic controller under paragraph 62A of the Order.
2.Every applicant for the grant or renewal of a licence as a member of flight crew or as an air traffic controller shall —
(a)be free from any congenital or acquired abnormality or any active, latent, acute or chronic disability or any effect or side-effect of any prescribed or non-prescribed therapeutic medication taken or to be taken by him, which would result in any functional incapacity likely to interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft or with the performance in a safe manner of the functions to which such licence relates; and
(b)undergo a medical examination for the purpose of ascertaining whether his physical and mental conditions satisfy the required standard of medical fitness applicable to such licence, as specified in paragraph 8 of this Schedule.
3.(1)  The medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall be conducted in Singapore by a designated medical examiner who shall then submit a report of the medical examination to an evaluating medical examiner for evaluation.
(2)  The evaluating medical examiner shall assess whether the applicant satisfies the standard of medical fitness required for the licence for which the applicant has applied for a grant or renewal and submit a report of his assessment to the Minister.
(3)  In this Schedule —
“designated medical examiner” means a person who —
(a)is qualified and licensed to practice medicine;
(b)has received training in the practice of aviation medicine;
(c)possesses the necessary knowledge of the conditions in which the holder of a licence carries out the functions to which his licence relates; and
(d)is approved by the Minister to conduct the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b);
“evaluating medical examiner” means a person who —
(a)is qualified and licensed to practice medicine;
(b)is trained and experienced in the practice of aviation medicine;
(c)possesses the necessary knowledge of the conditions in which the holder of a licence carries out the functions to which his licence relates; and
(d)is approved by the Minister to evaluate the report submitted by the designated medical examiner under sub-paragraph (1) and to assess the medical fitness of an applicant under sub-paragraph (2).
4.(1)  Every applicant who presents himself for the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall be required to furnish:
(a)a declaration signed by him stating whether he has previously undergone such medical examination, and if so, where, when and the result; and
(b)a complete and accurate statement of the medical facts concerning his personal, familial and hereditary history, personally certified by him.
(2)  A false declaration or statement may result in the cancellation of any licence which has been granted or renewed based on the results of the medical examination for which the false declaration or statement was given.
5.An applicant who has been assessed by the evaluating medical examiner as not having satisfied the standard of medical fitness required for the licence for which he has applied for a grant or renewal may, at the discretion of the Minister, be accepted as eligible for such grant or renewal if —
(a)accredited medical conclusion indicates that in specific circumstances, the applicant’s failure to meet any requirement, whether numerical or otherwise, will not affect the performance of the functions to which his licence relates in a manner which is likely to jeopardise flight safety;
(b)the relevant ability, skill and experience of the applicant have been given due consideration; and
(c)the licence is endorsed with any special restrictions or conditions which must be complied with to ensure the performance in a safe manner of the functions to which the licence relates.
6.If an applicant for the renewal of a licence is, during the period he is required to undergo the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b), on duty as a member of the flight crew of an aircraft in a distant location outside Singapore, the Minister may, on application and in his discretion, allow the medical examination to be deferred on an exceptional basis subject to the following conditions:
(a)the period for which the medical examination is deferred does not exceed —
(i)a single period of 6 months in the case of a flight crew member of a private category aircraft;
(ii)2 consecutive periods each of 3 months in the case of a member of the operating crew of a transport category or aerial work category aircraft; or
(iii)a period of 24 months in the case of a private pilot;
(b)the applicant has, in the location in which he is situated, undergone the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b) by a qualified medical practitioner acceptable to the Minister; and
(c)the report of such medical practitioner has been evaluated by an evaluating medical examiner who has assessed the applicant’s medical fitness as satisfactory.
7.If a licence holder is aware or has reasonable grounds to suspect that his medical fitness has deteriorated in any manner or extent which would render him unable to satisfy the standard of medical fitness required for the licence for which he has applied for a renewal, he shall not perform any of the functions to which his licence relates until such time when he satisfies the evaluating medical examiner that his medical fitness has been restored to the standard required for such licence.
8.The medical examination and medical fitness requirements applicable to the various classes of licence granted or renewed under paragraph 20(1)(a) to (m) and paragraph 62A of the Order are as follows:
(a)Class 1 Medical Requirements (as specified in Part II of this Schedule) —
(i)Commercial pilot’s licence (aeroplanes);
(ii)Commercial pilot’s licence (helicopters and gyroplanes);
(iii)Commercial pilot’s licence (balloons);
(iv)Commercial pilot’s licence (airships);
(v)Commercial pilot’s licence (gliders);
(vi)Airline transport pilot’s licence (aeroplanes);
(vii)Airline transport pilot’s licence (helicopters and gyroplanes);
(viii)Flight navigator’s licence;
(ix)Flight engineer’s licence.
(b)Class 2 Medical Requirements (as specified in Part III of this Schedule) —
(i)Student pilot’s licence;
(ii)Private pilot’s licence (aeroplanes);
(iii)Private pilot’s licence (helicopters and gyroplanes);
(iv)Private pilot’s licence (balloons and airships).
(c)Class 3 Medical Requirements (as specified in Part IV of this Schedule) —
Air traffic controller licence.
9.Notwithstanding paragraph 8, an applicant for or a holder of a Private pilot’s licence (aeroplanes) or a Private pilot’s licence (helicopters) who also applies for or has been granted an Instrument Rating (Aeroplanes) or Instrument Rating (Helicopters), as the case may be, shall also satisfy Class 1 Medical Requirements.
Part Ii — Class 1 Medical Requirements
Physical and Mental Requirements
10.The applicant must not suffer from any disease or disability that could render the applicant likely to become incapacitated in a manner which will affect the performance of his functions in a safe manner.
11.The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of —
(a)a psychosis;
(b)alcoholism;
(c)drug dependence;
(d)any personality disorder, particularly if such disorder is severe enough to have repeatedly resulted in overt acts; or
(e)a mental abnormality, or neurosis of a significant degree,
which, according to accredited medical conclusion, might render the applicant unable to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him, unless such accredited medical conclusion indicates that in special circumstances, the applicant’s failure to meet this requirement will not affect the performance of his functions in a manner which is likely to jeopardise flight safety.
12.(1)  The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any mental abnormality, personality disorder or neurosis which, according to accredited medical conclusion, renders it likely that within 2 years of the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b), the applicant will be unable to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  A history of acute toxic psychosis need not be regarded as disqualifying, if the applicant has suffered no permanent impairment.
13.The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
(a)a progressive or non-progressive disease of the nervous system, the effects of which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him or which will interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft;
(b)epilepsy;
(c)any disturbance of consciousness for which there is no satisfactory medical explanation of cause.
14.The applicant must not have any previous incident of head injury the effects of which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
15.(1)  The applicant must not possess any congenital or acquired abnormality of the heart which is likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  An applicant with a history of proven myocardial infarction shall be deemed unfit.
(3)  Such commonly occurring conditions as respiratory arrhythmia, occasional extrasystoles which disappear on exercise, increase of pulse rate from excitement or exercise, or a slow pulse not associated with auriculoventricular dissociation may be regarded as being within “normal” limits.
16.(1)  Electrocardiography shall form part of the heart examination for the first issue of a licence and shall be included in re-examinations —
(a)in the case of applicants up to the age of 30, at least every 5 years;
(b)in the case of applicants between the ages of 30 and 40, at least every 2 years,
and thereafter, at least annually.
(2)  The purpose of routine electrocardiography is case finding and electrocardiography does not itself provide sufficient evidence to justify the disqualification of an applicant without further thorough cardiovascular investigation.
17.(1)  The applicant’s systolic and diastolic blood pressures must be within normal limits. The use of drugs for control of high blood pressure is acceptable unless the use of those drugs is, according to accredited medical conclusion, incompatible with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by the applicant.
(2)  There shall be no significant functional nor structural abnormality of the circulatory tree.
18.The applicant must not have any acute disability of the lungs nor any active disease of the structures of the lungs, mediastinum or pleura. Radiography shall form a part of the medical examination in all doubtful clinical cases. Radiography shall form a part of the initial chest examination and should be repeated periodically thereafter.
19.The applicant must not be suffering from any extensive mutilation of the chest wall with collapse of the thoracic cage and sequelae of surgical procedures resulting in decreased respiratory efficiency at altitude. Cases of pulmonary emphysema will be assessed as unfit if the condition is causing symptoms.
20.The applicant must not be suffering from any active pulmonary tuberculosis, duly diagnosed. Cases of quiescent or healed lesions which are known or presumed to be tuberculous may be assessed as fit.
21.The applicant must not be suffering from any form of disabling disease, with important impairment of functions of the gastrointestinal tract or its adnexae.
22.The applicant must be completely free from those hernias that might give rise to incapacitating symptoms.
23.(1)  The applicant must not have any sequelae of disease or surgical intervention on any part of the digestive tract or its adnexae liable to cause incapacity in flight, in particular any obstructions due to stricture or compression.
(2)  An applicant who has undergone a major surgical operation on the biliary passages or the digestive tract or its adnexae, which has involved a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of these organs will be assessed as unfit until such time when the evaluating medical examiner who has access to the details of such operation considers that the effects of the operation are not liable to cause incapacity in flight.
24.The applicant must not be suffering from any metabolic, nutritional or endocrine disorders likely to interfere with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
25.An applicant who is suffering from any diabetes mellitus shown to be satisfactorily controlled without the use of any anti-diabetic drug may be assessed as fit.
26.The applicant must not have any severe and moderate enlargement of the spleen persistently below the costal margin.
27.(1)  The applicant must not be suffering from any significant localised and generalised enlargement of the lymphatic glands and diseases of the blood. The applicant may however be assessed as fit if accredited medical conclusion indicates that the applicant’s condition is unlikely to affect the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  Cases due to a transient condition may be assessed as only temporarily unfit.
(3)  Possession of the sickle cell trait should not render the applicant unfit unless there is positive medical evidence indicating such unfitness.
28.(1)  The applicant must not be suffering from any signs of organic disease of the kidney except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.
(2)  The urine shall contain no abnormal element considered by the evaluating medical examiner to be pathological. Cases of affections of the urinary passages and of the genital organs shall be assessed as unfit except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.
29.(1)  The applicant must not have any sequelae of disease or surgical procedures on the kidneys and the urinary tract liable to cause incapacity, in particular, any obstructions due to stricture or compression.
(2)  An applicant who has undergone a major surgical operation on the urinary system, which has involved a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of its organs will be assessed as unfit, until such time when the evaluating medical examiner who has access to the details of the operation considers that the effects of such operation will not cause incapacity in flight.
(3)  Compensated nephrectomy without hypertension or uraemia may be assessed as fit.
30.An applicant who has a personal history of syphillis must be required to furnish satisfactory evidence to the evaluating medical examiner that he has undergone adequate treatment and follow up shows no sequelae of the disease.
31.The applicant must not have a history of severe menstrual disturbances that have proven unamenable to treatment and that are likely to interfere with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by her. An applicant who has undergone any gynaecological operations will be considered individually.
32.(1)  Subject to sub-paragraph (3), an applicant who is pregnant shall be assessed as temporarily unfit.
(2)  After confinement or miscarriage, an applicant shall not be permitted to perform the functions relating to the licence applied for or held by her until she has undergone re-examination and has been assessed as fit.
(3)  In the absence of significant abnormalities, accredited medical conclusion may indicate that the applicant is fit during the middle months of her pregnancy.
33.The applicant must not be suffering from any active disease of the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and all serious functional sequelae of congenital or acquired disease. However, an applicant who is suffering from functional after-effects of lesion affecting the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and certain anatomical defects which are compatible with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him may be assessed as fit.
34.(1)  Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the applicant must not have any —
(a)active pathological process, acute or chronic, of the internal ear or of the middle ear;
(b)unhealed (unclosed) perforation of the tympanic membranes (except that a single dry perforation of non-infectious origin need not render the applicant unfit);
(c)permanent obstruction of the Eustachian tubes; or
(d)permanent disturbance of the vestibular apparatus (except that a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit).
(2)  A licence may be granted or renewed notwithstanding that the applicant has any unhealed perforation of the tympanic membranes if the appropriate hearing requirements in paragraph 45 are complied with.
35.The applicant must have free nasal air entry on both sides and must not have any serious malformation or serious, acute or chronic affection of the buccal cavity or upper respiratory tract. An applicant who has speech defects or who stutters shall be assessed as unfit.
Visual Requirements
36.For the purposes of paragraphs 37 to 41 —
(a)each eye of the applicant will be tested separately; and
(b)the methods of testing visual acuity shall be as follows:
(i)for a visual acuity test in a lighted room, a test illumination level of approximately 50 1x, normally corresponding to a brightness of 30 cd per square metre should be adopted. The light level of the room should be approximately one-fifth of the test illumination level;
(ii)for a visual acuity test in a darkened, or semi-darkened room, a test illumination level of approximately 15 lx, normally corresponding to a brightness of 10 cd per square metre should be adopted;
(iii)visual acuity should be measured by means of a series of optotypes of Landolt, or similar optotypes, placed at a distance of 6m from the applicant, or 5m, as appropriate to the method of testing adopted.
37.The function of the applicant’s eyes and their adnexae shall be normal. There shall not be any active pathological condition, acute or chronic, of either eye or adnexae which is likely to interfere with its proper function to an extent that would jeopardise safety in flight or the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by the applicant.
38.The applicant must have normal fields of vision.
39.(1)  The applicant must have a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/9 (20/03, 0.7) in each eye separately, with or without the use of correcting lenses. Where this standard of visual acuity can be obtained only with correcting lenses, the applicant may be assessed as fit subject to the following conditions:
(a)he has at least a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/60 (20/200, 0.1) in each eye or the refractive error falls within the range of +3 dioptres (equivalent spherical error);
(b)such correcting lenses are worn when performing the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him; and
(c)he has a spare set of suitable correcting lenses readily available when performing such functions.
(2)  An applicant who satisfies the requirement in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is deemed to continue to do so unless there is reason to suspect otherwise, in which case refraction shall be repeated at the discretion of the evaluating medical examiner who shall require that the applicant’s visual acuity be measured and recorded at each re-examination.
(3)  Conditions which indicate a need to re-determine the refractive error include a refractive state close to the limit of acceptability, a substantial decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity, and the occurrence of eye disease, eye injury or eye surgery.
40.(1)  The applicant must be able to read the N5 chart which is in the Times-Roman type-face or its equivalent at a distance selected by him in the range of 30 to 50 centimetres and the N14 chart which is in the Times-Roman type-face or its equivalent at a distance of 100 centimetres.
(2)  If the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) is met only by the use of correcting lenses, the applicant may be assessed as fit provided that such lenses are available for immediate use when performing the functions relating to the licence applied for or held by him.
(3)  No more than one pair of correcting lenses shall be used in demonstrating compliance with the requirement in sub-paragraph (1).
(4)  Single-vision near correction shall not be acceptable.
(5)  Whenever there is a requirement to obtain or renew correcting lenses, an applicant is expected to advise the refractionist of reading distances for the visual flight deck tasks relevant to the types of aircraft in which he is likely to function.
Note: An applicant who needs correction to meet the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) will require “lookover”, bifocal or perhaps trifocal lenses to enable him to read the instruments and a chart or manual held in hand, and also to make use of distant vision through the windscreen without removing his lenses. Single-vision near correction (full lenses of one power only, appropriate to reading) significantly reduces distant visual acuity.
41.(1)  An applicant must have a near point of accommodation of 30 centimetres while wearing the correcting lenses, if any, required under paragraph 39(1).
(2)  An applicant who does not satisfy the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) may be assessed as fit if he produces evidence satisfactory to the evaluating medical examiner that he has been fitted with correction lenses for near and intermediate-range vision, or that he does not at present require such correction.
(3)  An applicant who is required to wear the correction lenses needed for near and intermediate-range vision under sub-paragraph (2) shall wear such lenses, in addition to any other correction lenses required under paragraph 39(1), when performing any functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
Colour Perception Requirements
42.An applicant must be able to perceive readily those colours, the perception of which is necessary for the performance of his functions in a safe manner.
43.(1)  The applicant shall be tested for the ability to correctly identify a series of pseudoisochromatic plates (tables) in daylight or in artificial light of the same colour temperature such as that provided by Illuminant “C” or “D” as specified by the International Commission on Illumination.
(2)  An applicant who obtains a score which is satisfactory to the evaluating medical examiner may be assessed as fit. An applicant who fails to obtain a satisfactory score in such a test may nevertheless be assessed as fit if the applicant is able to readily and correctly identify aviation coloured lights displayed by means of a recognised colour perception lantern test and is subsequently assessed by the evaluating medical examiner as “colour safe”.
Hearing Requirements
44.The applicant must be free from any hearing defect likely to interfere with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him and for which he is being examined.
45.(1)  At the first issue of a licence, not less than once every 5 years up to the age of 40 years, and thereafter not less than once every 3 years, the applicant must not have a hearing loss, when tested on a pure tone audiometer, in either ear separately, of more than 35 dB at any of the frequencies of 500, 1000 or 2000 Hz, or more than 50 dB at 3000 Hz.
(2)  An applicant with a hearing loss greater than that specified in sub-paragraph (1) may nonetheless be assessed as fit if —
(a)the applicant has a hearing performance in each ear separately equivalent to that of a normal person, against a background noise that will simulate the masking properties of flight deck noise upon speech and beacon signals; and
(b)the applicant has an ability to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears, at a distance of 2 metres from and with his back turned to the designated medical examiner.
Part Iii — Class 2 Medical Requirements
Physical and Mental Requirements
46.The applicant must not suffer from any disease or disability that could render the applicant likely to become incapacitated in a manner which will affect the performance of his functions in a safe manner.
47.The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of —
(a)a psychosis;
(b)alcoholism;
(c)drug dependence;
(d)any personality disorder, particularly if such disorder is severe enough to have repeatedly resulted in overt acts; or
(e)a mental abnormality, or neurosis of a significant degree,
which, according to accredited medical conclusion, might render the applicant unable to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him, unless such accredited medical conclusion indicates that in special circumstances, the applicant’s failure to meet this requirement will not affect the performance of his functions in a manner which is likely to jeopardise flight safety.
48.(1)  The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any mental abnormality, personality disorder or neurosis which, according to accredited medical conclusion, renders it likely that within 2 years of the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b), the applicant will be unable to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  A history of acute toxic psychosis need not be regarded as disqualifying, provided that the applicant has suffered no permanent impairment.
49.The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
(a)a progressive or non-progressive disease of the nervous system, the effects of which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him or which will interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft;
(b)epilepsy;
(c)any disturbance of consciousness for which there is no satisfactory medical explanation of cause.
50.The applicant must not have any previous incident of head injury the effects of which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
51.(1)  The applicant must not possess any congenital or acquired abnormality of the heart which is likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to perform in a safe manner the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  An applicant with a history of proven myocardial infarction shall be deemed unfit.
(3)  Such commonly occurring conditions as respiratory arrhythmia, occasional extrasystoles which disappear on exercise, increase of pulse rate from excitement or exercise, or a slow pulse not associated with auriculoventricular dissociation may be regarded as being within “normal” limits.
52.(1)  Electrocardiography shall form part of the heart examination required for the first issue of a licence and shall be included in re-examinations —
(a)in the case of applicants up to the age of 30, at least every 5 years;
(b)in the case of applicants between the ages of 30 and 40, at least every 2 years,
and thereafter, at least annually.
(2)  The purpose of routine electrocardiography is case finding and electrocardiography does not itself provide sufficient evidence to justify the disqualification of an applicant without further thorough cardiovascular investigation.
53.(1)  The applicant’s systolic and diastolic blood pressures must be within normal limits. The use of drugs for control of high blood pressure is acceptable unless the use of those drugs are, according to accredited medical conclusion, incompatible with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  There shall be no significant functional nor structural abnormality of the circulatory tree. However, the presence of varicosities by itself does not necessarily render the applicant unfit.
54.The applicant must not have any acute disability of the lungs nor any active disease of the structures of the lungs, mediastinum or pleura. Radiography shall form a part of the medical examination in all doubtful clinical cases. Radiography shall form a part of the initial chest examination and should be repeated periodically thereafter.
55.The applicant must not be suffering from any extensive mutilation of the chest wall with collapse of the thoracic cage and sequelae of surgical procedures resulting in decreased respiratory efficiency at altitude. Cases of pulmonary emphysema will be assessed as unfit if the condition is causing symptoms.
56.The applicant must not be suffering from any active pulmonary tuberculosis, duly diagnosed. Cases of quiescent or healed lesions which are known or presumed to be tuberculous may be assessed as fit.
57.The applicant must not be suffering from any form of disabling disease, with important impairment of functions of the gastrointestinal tract or its adnexae.
58.The applicant must be completely free from those hernias that might give rise to incapacitating symptoms.
59.(1)  The applicant must not have any sequelae of disease or surgical intervention on any part of the digestive tract or its adnexae liable to cause incapacity in flight, in particular any obstructions due to stricture or compression.
(2)  An applicant who has undergone a major surgical operation on the biliary passages or the digestive tract or its adnexae, which has involved a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of these organs will be assessed as unfit until such time when the evaluating medical examiner who has access to the details of the operation considers that the effects of such operation are not liable to cause incapacity in flight.
60.The applicant must not be suffering from any metabolic, nutritional or endocrine disorders likely to interfere with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
61.(1)  The applicant must not be using anti-diabetic drugs for the control of diabetes mellitus except for those oral drugs administered under conditions permitting appropriate medical supervision and control and which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are compatible with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  An applicant who is suffering from diabetes mellitus shown to be satisfac-torily controlled without the use of any anti-diabetic drug may be assessed as fit.
62.(1)  The applicant must not be suffering from any significant localised and generalised enlargement of the lymphatic glands and of diseases of the blood. The applicant may however be assessed as fit if accredited medical conclusion indicates that his condition is unlikely to affect the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him.
(2)  Cases due to a transient condition may be assessed as only temporarily unfit.
(3)  Possession of the sickle cell trait should not render the applicant unfit unless there is positive medical evidence indicating such unfitness.
63.The applicant must not be suffering from any signs of organic disease of the kidney except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.
(2)  The urine shall contain no abnormal element considered by the evaluating medical examiner to be pathological. Cases of affections of the urinary passages and of the genital organs shall be assessed as unfit except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.
64.(1)  The applicant must not have any sequelae of disease or surgical procedures on the kidneys and the urinary tract liable to cause incapacity, in particular, any obstructions due to stricture or compression.
(2)  An applicant who has undergone a major surgical operation on the urinary system, which has involved a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of its organs will be assessed as unfit, until such time as the evaluating medical examiner having access to the details of such operation considers that the effects of the operation will not cause incapacity in flight.
(3)  Compensated nephrectomy without hypertension or uraemia may be assessed as fit.
65.An applicant who has a personal history of syphillis must be required to furnish satisfactory evidence to the evaluating medical examiner that he has undergone adequate treatment and follow up shows no sequelae of the disease.
66.The applicant must not have a history of severe menstrual disturbances that have proven unamenable to treatment and that are likely to interfere with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by her. An applicant who has undergone any gynaecological operations will be considered individually.
67.(1)  Subject to sub-paragraph (3), an applicant who is pregnant shall be assessed as temporarily unfit.
(2)  After confinement or miscarriage, the applicant shall not be permitted to perform the functions relating to the licence applied for or held by her until she has undergone re-examination and has been assessed as fit.
(3)  In the absence of any significant abnormalities, accredited medical conclusion may indicate that the applicant is fit during the middle months of her pregnancy.
68.The applicant must not be suffering from any active disease of the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and all serious functional sequelae of congenital or acquired disease. However, an applicant who is suffering from functional after-effects of lesion affecting the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and certain anatomical defects compatible with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him may be assessed as fit.
69.The applicant must not have any —
(a)active pathological process, acute or chronic, of the internal ear or of the middle ear; or
(b)permanent disturbance of the vestibular apparatus (except that a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit).
70.The applicant must have free nasal air entry on both sides and must not have any serious malformation or serious, acute or chronic affection of the buccal cavity or upper respiratory tract.
Visual Requirements
71.For the purposes of paragraphs 72 to 75 —
(a)each eye of the applicant will be tested separately; and
(b)the methods of testing visual acuity shall be as follows:
(i)for a visual acuity test in a lighted room a test illumination level of approximately 50 1x, normally corresponding to a brightness of 30 cd per square metre should be adopted. The light level of the room should be approximately one-fifth of the test illumination level;
(ii)for a visual acuity test in a darkened, or semi-darkened room, a test illumination level of approximately 15 1x, normally corresponding to a brightness of 10 cd per square metre should be adopted;
(iii)visual acuity should be measured by means of a series of optotypes of Landolt, or similar optotypes, placed at a distance of 6m from the applicant, or 5m, as appropriate to the method of testing adopted.
72.The function of the applicant’s eyes and their adnexae shall be normal. There shall not be any active pathological condition, acute or chronic, of either eye or adnexae which is likely to interfere with its proper function to an extent that would jeopardise safety in flight or the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by the applicant.
73.The applicant must have normal fields of vision.
74.(1)  The applicant must have a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/12 (20/40, 0.5) in each eye separately, with or without the use of correcting lenses. Where this standard of visual acuity can be obtained only with correcting lenses, the applicant may be assessed as fit subject to the following conditions:
(a)such correcting lenses are worn when performing the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him;
(b)the applicant has a spare set of suitable correcting lenses readily available when performing such functions.
(2)  If the visual acuity required under sub-paragraph (1) is obtained only by the use of correcting lenses and the uncorrected visual acuity in either eye is less than 6/60 (20/200, 0.1), an applicant whose refractive error in each eye falls within the range of +5 dioptres (equivalent spherical error) may be assessed as fit. An applicant whose refractive error in either eye falls outside the range of +5 dioptres (equivalent spherical error) may nonetheless be assessed as fit according to accredited medical conclusion.
(3)  An applicant who satisfies the requirement of sub-paragraph (2) is deemed to continue to do so unless there is reason to suspect otherwise, in which case refraction shall be repeated at the discretion of the evaluating medical examiner who shall require that the applicant’s visual acuity be recorded and measured at each re-examination.
(4)  Conditions which indicate a need to re-determine the refractive error include a refractive state close to the limit of acceptability, a substantial decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity, and the occurrence of eye disease, eye injury or eye surgery.
75.(1)  The applicant must be able to read the N5 chart which is in the Times-Roman type-face or its equivalent at a distance selected by him in the range of 30 to 50 centimetres.
(2)  If the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) is met only by the use of correcting lenses, the applicant may be assessed as fit provided that such lenses are available for immediate use when performing the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him. No more than one pair of correcting lenses shall be used in demonstrating compliance with this requirement.
(3)  Single-vision near correction shall not be acceptable.
(4)  Whenever there is a requirement to obtain or renew correcting lenses, an applicant is expected to advise the refractionist of the reading distances for the visual flight deck tasks relating to the types of aircraft in which he is likely to perform his functions.
Note: Single vision near correction (full lenses of one power only, appropriate to reading) significantly reduces distant visual acuity and is therefore not acceptable.
Colour Perception Requirements
76.An applicant shall be able to perceive readily those colours, the perception of which is necessary for the performance of his functions in a safe manner.
77.(1)  The applicant shall be tested for the ability to correctly identify a series of pseudoisochromatic plates (tables) in daylight or in artificial light of the same colour temperature such as that provided by Illuminant “C” or “D” as specified by the International Commission on Illumination.
(2)  An applicant who obtains a score which is satisfactory to the evaluating medical examiner may be assessed as fit. An applicant who fails to obtain a satisfactory score in such a test may nevertheless be assessed as fit if he is able to readily and correctly identify aviation coloured lights displayed by means of a recognised colour perception lantern test and is subsequently assessed by the evaluating medical examiner as “colour safe”.
Hearing Requirements
78.The applicant must be free from any hearing defect likely to interfere with the performance in a safe manner of the functions relating to the licence or rating applied for or held by him and for which he is being examined.
79.The applicant must be able to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears, at a distance of 2 metres from and with his back turned to the designated medical examiner.
Part Iv — Class 3 Medical Requirements
Physical and Mental Requirements
80.The applicant must not suffer from any disease or disability which could render the applicant likely to become incapacitated in a manner which will affect the performance of his functions in a safe manner.
81.The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of —
(a)a psychosis;
(b)alcoholism;
(c)drug dependence;
(d)any personality disorder, particularly if such disorder is severe enough to have repeatedly resulted in overt acts; or
(e)a mental abnormality, or neurosis of a significant degree,
which, according to accredited medical conclusion, might render the applicant unable to provide in a safe manner any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence unless accredited medical conclusion indicates that in special circumstances, the applicant’s failure to meet this requirement is such that the provision of any air traffic service is not likely to jeopardise flight safety.
82.(1)  The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any mental abnormality, personality disorder or neurosis which, according to accredited medical conclusion, makes it likely that within 2 years of the medical examination referred to in paragraph 2(b), the applicant will be unable to provide in a safe manner any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence.
(2)  A history of acute toxic psychosis need not be regarded as disqualifying if the applicant has suffered no permanent impairment.
83.The applicant must not have any established medical history or clinical diagnosis of any of the following:
(a)a progressive or non-progressive disease of the nervous system, the effects of which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to provide any air traffic service specified in any of the ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence;
(b)epilepsy;
(c)any disturbance of consciousness for which there is no satisfactory medical explanation of cause.
84.The applicant must not have any previous incident of head injury, the effects of which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to provide any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence.
85.(1)  The applicant must not possess any abnormality of the heart, congenital or acquired, which is likely to impair the capacity of the applicant to provide any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence. Such commonly occurring conditions as respiratory arrhythmia, occasional extrasystoles which disappear on exercise, increase of pulse rate from excitement or exercise, or a slow pulse not associated with auriculoventricular dissociation may be regarded as being within “normal” limits.
(2)  Electrocardiography shall form part of the heart examination for the first issue of a licence, at the first re-examination after the age of 40 years and thereafter not less frequently than every 5 years, and in re-examinations in all doubtful clinical cases.
(3)  The purpose of routine electrocardiography is case finding and electrocardiography does not itself provide sufficient evidence to justify the disqualification of an applicant without further thorough cardiovascular investigation.
86.(1)  The applicant’s systolic and diastolic blood pressure must be within normal limits. The use of drugs for control of high blood pressure is acceptable unless the use of those drugs, according to accredited medical conclusion, is incompatible with the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any rating in an applicant’s air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence.
(2)  There shall be no significant functional nor structural abnormality of the circulatory tree. However, the presence of varicosities shall not necessarily by itself entail unfitness.
87.(1)  The applicant must not have any acute disability of the lungs nor any active disease of the structures of the lungs, mediastinum or pleura. Radiography shall form a part of the medical examination in all doubtful clinical cases. Radiography shall form a part of the initial chest examination and should be repeated periodically thereafter.
(2)  Cases of pulmonary emphysema shall be assessed as unfit only if the condition is causing symptoms.
88.The applicant must not be suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis, duly diagnosed. Cases of quiescent or healed lesions which are known to be tuberculous in origin, may be assessed as fit.
89.The applicant must not be suffering from any form of a disabling disease, with impairment of functions of the gastrointestinal tract or its adnexae.
90.The applicant must be completely free from those hernias that might give rise to incapacitating symptoms.
91.The applicant must not have any sequelae of disease or surgical intervention on any part of the digestive tract or its adnexae liable to cause incapacity, in particular any obstructions due to stricture or compression.
92.The applicant must not be suffering from any metabolic, nutritional or endocrine disorders likely to interfere with the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence.
93.The applicant must not be using anti-diabetic drugs for the control of diabetes mellitus except for those oral drugs which, according to accredited medical conclusion, are compatible with the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence. Proven cases of diabetes mellitus shown to be satisfactorily controlled without the use of any anti-diabetic drug may be assessed as fit.
94.The applicant must not be suffering from significant localised and generalised enlargement of the lymphatic glands and of diseases of blood. The applicant may be assessed as fit if accredited medical conclusion indicates that the condition is unlikely to affect the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence. Cases due to a transient condition may be assessed as only temporarily unfit.
95.(1)  The applicant must not be suffering from any organic diseases of the kidney except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.
(2)  The urine shall contain no abnormal element considered by accredited medical conclusion to be of pathological significance. Cases of affections of the urinary passages and of the genital organs shall be assessed as unfit except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.
96.The applicant must not have any sequelae of disease or surgical procedures on the kidneys and the urinary tract liable to cause incapacity, in particular, any obstructions due to stricture or compression.
97.An applicant who has a personal history of syphillis, shall be required to furnish satisfactory evidence to the evaluating medical examiner for the first issue of an air traffic controller licence that he has undergone adequate treatment, and follow-up shows no sequelae of the disease.
98.The applicant must not have a history of severe menstrual disturbances that have proved unamenable to treatment and that are likely to interfere with the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in her air traffic controller licence or applied for in her application for a licence.
99.(1)  The applicant must not be suffering from any active disease of the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and all serious functional sequelae of congenital or acquired disease shall be assessed as unfit.
(2)  Functional after-effects of lesion affecting the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and certain anatomical defects compatible with the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in the applicant’s air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence, may be assessed as fit.
100.The applicant must not have any —
(a)active pathological process, acute or chronic, of the internal ear or of the middle ear;
(b)permanent disturbance of the vestibular apparatus (except that those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit); or
(c)serious malformation or serious, acute or chronic pathology of the buccal cavity or upper respiratory tract (cases of speech defects and stuttering shall be assessed as unfit).
Visual Requirements
101.For the purposes of paragraphs 102 to 106 —
(a)each eye of the applicant will be tested separately; and
(b)the methods of testing visual acuity shall be as follows:
(i)for a visual acuity test in a lighted room, a test illumination level of approximately 50 1x, normally corresponding to a brightness of 30 cd per square metre should be adopted; the light level of the room should be approximately one-fifth of the test illumination level;
(ii)for a visual acuity test in a darkened, or semi-darkened room, a test illumination level of approximately 15 1x, normally corresponding to a brightness of 10 cd per square metre should be adopted;
(iii)visual acuity should be measured by means of a series of optotypes of Landolt, or similar optotypes, placed at a distance of 6m from the applicant, or 5m, as appropriate to the method of testing adopted.
102.The function of the applicant’s eyes and their adnexae shall be normal. There shall not be any active pathological condition, acute or chronic, in either eye or adnexae which is likely to interfere with its proper function to an extent that would affect the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in the applicant’s air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence.
103.The applicant must have normal fields of vision.
104.(1)  The applicant must have a distant visual acuity of not less than 6/9 (20/30, 0.7) in each eye separately, with or without the use of correcting lenses. Where this standard of visual acuity can be obtained only with correcting lenses the applicant may be assessed as fit if —
(a)the applicant possesses a visual acuity without correction in each eye separately, of not less than 6/60 (20/200, 0.1) or the refraction error falls within the range of +3 dioptres (equivalent spherical error);
(b)such correcting lenses are worn when providing the air traffic service stated in the applicant’s air traffic controller licence or any rating specified therein; and
(c)the applicant has a spare set of suitable correcting lenses readily available when providing the air traffic service stated in the applicant’s air traffic controller licence or any rating specified therein.
(2)  An applicant who satisfies the requirements in sub-paragraph 1(a) is deemed to continue to do so unless there is reason to suspect otherwise, in which case refraction shall be repeated at the discretion of the evaluating medical examiner who shall require that the applicant’s visual acuity be recorded and measured at each re-examination.
(3)  Conditions which indicate a need to re-determine the refractive error include a refractive state close to the limit of acceptability, a substantial decrease in the uncorrected visual acuity, and the occurrence of eye disease, eye injury or eye surgery.
105.(1)  The applicant must be able to read the N5 chart which is in Times-Roman type-face or its equivalent at a distance selected by the applicant in the range of 30 to 50 centimetres and the N14 chart which is in the Times-Roman type-face or its equivalent at a distance of 100 cm.
(2)  If the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) is met only by the use of correcting lenses, the applicant may be assessed as fit provided that such lenses are available for immediate use when providing the air traffic service stated in the applicant’s air traffic controller licence or any ratings specified therein. No more than one pair of correcting lenses shall be used in demonstrating compliance with this requirement.
(3)  Single-vision near correction may not be acceptable for the purpose of certain air traffic control duties.
106.(1)  The applicant must have a near point of accommodation of 30 centimetres while wearing the correcting lenses, if any, required by paragraph 104.
(2)  An applicant who does not meet the requirement in sub-paragraph (1) may be assessed as fit if he produces evidence, satisfactory to the evaluating medical examiner, that he has been fitted with correction for near and intermediate-range vision, or that he does not at present require such correction.
(3)  An applicant who is required to wear the correcting lenses needed for near and intermediate-range vision shall wear such lenses in addition to any correcting lenses required under paragraph 104 when providing the air traffic service stated in the applicant’s air traffic controller licence or any ratings specified therein.
(4)  Whenever there is a requirement to obtain or renew correcting lenses, an applicant is expected to advise the refractionist of reading distances for the air traffic services he is likely to perform.
Note: Single vision near correction (full lenses of one power only, appropriate to reading) significantly reduces distant visual acuity and is therefore not acceptable.
Colour Perception Requirements
107.An applicant shall be able to perceive readily those colours, the perception of which is necessary for the performance of his functions in a safe manner.
108.(1)  The applicant shall be tested for the ability to correctly identify a series of pseudoisochromatic plates (tables) in daylight or in artificial light of the same colour temperature such as that provided by Illuminant “C” or “D” as specified by the International Commission on Illumination.
(2)  An applicant who obtains a score which is satisfactory to the evaluating medical examiner may be assessed as fit. An applicant who fails to obtain a satisfactory score in such a test may nonetheless be assessed as fit if the applicant is able to readily and correctly identify aviation coloured lights displayed by means of a recognised colour perception lantern test and is subsequently assessed by the evaluating medical examiner as “colour safe”.
Hearing Requirements
109.The applicant must be free from any hearing defect likely to interfere with the provision in a safe manner of any air traffic service specified in any ratings in his air traffic controller licence or applied for in his application for a licence and for which he is being examined.
110.(1)  At the first issue of an air traffic controller licence, not less than once every 5 years, up to the age of 40 years, and thereafter not less than once every 3 years, the applicant must not have a hearing loss, when tested on a pure tone audiometer, in either ear separately, of more than 35 dB at any of the frequencies of 500, 1000 or 2000 Hz, or more than 50 dB at 3000 Hz.
(2)  An applicant with a hearing loss greater than that specified in sub-paragraph (1) may nonetheless be assessed as fit if —
(a)the applicant has a hearing performance in each ear separately equivalent to that of a normal person against a background noise that will simulate that experienced in a typical air traffic service working environment; and
(b)the applicant has an ability to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears, at a distance of 2 metres from and with his back turned to the designated medical examiner.”.
New Seventeenth Schedule
9.  The principal Order is amended by inserting, immediately after the Sixteenth Schedule, the following Schedule:
THE SCHEDULE
Paragraph 62A(7)
Air Traffic Controller Ratings
1.The following ratings may be specified in an air traffic controller licence in respect of air traffic services:
(a)aerodrome control rating, which shall authorise the holder of the air traffic controller licence to provide or supervise the provision of aerodrome control service, or both;
(b)approach control rating, which shall authorise the holder of the licence to provide or supervise the provision of approach control service, or both;
(c)area non-radar control rating, which shall authorise the holder of the licence to provide or supervise the provision of area control (non-radar) service, or both;
(d)area radar control rating, which shall authorise the holder of the licence to provide or supervise the provision of area control (radar) service, or both.
2.A rating specified in an air traffic controller licence shall become invalid when an air traffic controller has not provided the air traffic service specified in that rating for a period of 6 months or more.
3.If a rating specified in an air traffic controller licence becomes invalid, that rating shall remain invalid until the Minister is satisfied that the ability to provide the air traffic service specified in that rating by the air traffic controller concerned has been re-established.”.
Provision for grace period for application
10.  Any person who, immediately before 1st August 2000, was providing any type of air traffic service shall, subject to the approval of the Minister, be entitled to provide such air traffic service —
(a)for a period of 6 months from that date; or
(b)if before the expiration of the period referred to in sub-paragraph (a) he has applied for an air traffic controller licence under this Order, until the air traffic controller licence is granted or refused or the application is withdrawn, as the case may be.
[G.N. Nos. S 573/91; S 49/92;S 60/92; S 180/92; S 61/93; S 199/93;S 8/94; S 67/98]

Made this 11th day of July 2000.

CHAN HENG LOON ALAN
Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Communications
and Information Technology,
Singapore.
[MCIT CA.271.10.03.1.0; AG/LEG/SL/6/98/2 Vol. 1]