S.I. No. 353/1953 -- Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) (Amendment) Order, 1953.

S.I. No. 353/1953 -- Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) (Amendment) Order, 1953. 1953 353

S.I. No. 353/1953:

AIR NAVIGATION (PERSONNEL LICENSING) (AMENDMENT) ORDER, 1953.

I, SEÁN F. LEMASS, Minister for Industry and Commerce, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, 1936 to 1950, hereby order as follows :--

1.--(1) This Order may be cited as the Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) (Amendment) Order, 1953.

(2) The Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) Order, 1951 ( S.I. No. 33 of 1951 ), and this Order may be cited together as the Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) Orders, 1951 and 1953.

(3) This Order shall come into force on the first day of December, 1953.

2. In this Order the expression " the Principal Order " means the Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) Order, 1951.

3. The Principal Order is hereby amended in accordance with the provisions of this Order.

4. In Article 2, for the definition of " night " there shall be substituted :--

" ' night ' means the hours between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, or such other period as may be specified by the appropriate authority. In or over the State, ' night ' shall be deemed to be, during the period of summer time, the time between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, and, during the remainder of the year, the time between half-an-hour after sunset and half-an-hour before sunrise."

5. In Article 12, there shall be inserted at the end of paragraph (4):--

" or of the Air Navigation (Operations) Order, 1953 ( S.I. No. 96 of 1953 )."

6. In Article 13--

(a) for "35" in both places where that figure occurs opposite the reference to student and private pilots' licences there shall be substituted the figure " 40 " ;

(b) for the reference to commercial glider, commercial, senior commercial and airline transport pilots' licences and the period of 6 months shown opposite thereto there shall be substituted the following :--

" Commercial glider pilot's licence

Commercial pilot's licence

If the applicant's age is under 40 years, 12 months.

If the applicant's age is over 40 years, 6 months.

Senior commercial pilot's licence

Airline transport pilot's licence

6 months."

7. In Article 16--

(a) the existing provision shall form the subject of a paragraph numbered "(1)" ;

(b) after the words "additional rating" in the fourth line there shall be inserted the following words--

"or give to any person flying or about to fly as pilot in command of an aircraft for the purpose of becoming so qualified any direction in relation to such instruction" ;

(d) there shall be added the following paragraph--

" (2) In this Article, the expression "flight instructor rating" includes a flight instructor rating class I and a flight instructor rating class II, provided that--

(a) the holder of a flight instructor rating class II may exercise the privileges of his rating only under the direction of the holder of a flight instructor rating class I ;

(b) no direction in relation to a student pilot's first solo flight or first solo cross-country flight shall be given by the holder of a flight instructor rating class II ;

(c) the holder of a flight instructor rating may act in that capacity only to the extent to which he is entitled so to act by virtue of the privileges and limitations appropriate to the class of flight instructor rating which he holds as set out in paragraph (8) of Article 43 of this Order."

8. In Article 17, paragraph (1) for the words " satisfying the requirements for the grant of such rating as set out in Part VII of Schedule I hereto " there shall be substituted the following words--

"every such rating shall, if granted, be graded as class I or class II according to the qualifications of such holder as determined by reference to the requirements for the grant of such rating as set out in Part VII of Schedule I hereto."

9. In Article 36, paragraph (1) there shall be substituted--

(a) "No. 1" for "No. 2" as the physical requirement for the commercial pilot's licence ;

(b) "No. 1" for "No. 2" as the colour perception requirement for the senior commercial pilot's licence ;

10. In Article 37--

(a) at the commencement of paragraph (1), there shall be inserted the words "Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Article" ;

(b) after paragraph (2) there shall be added the following paragraph--

"(3) If an applicant for a commercial pilot's licence does not meet the experience requirements set out in subparagraphs (1) (b) and (1) (c) of paragraph 2 of Part IV of Schedule I to this Order, a commercial pilot's licence may nevertheless be granted, but, if granted, shall not be valid for flight by night. An endorsement to that effect shall be made on any licence so granted, and the holder of a licence bearing such endorsement shall not exercise the privileges of the licence by night."

11. In Article 43--

(a) in paragraph (2), before the words "night rating" in the third and fourth last lines there shall be inserted the word "current" ;

(b) in paragraph 4(c), the words "not employed on regular airline services" shall be deleted ;

(d) in paragraph 5(c) (ii), for "30,000" there shall be substituted "44,000" ;

(e) for paragraph (8) the following paragraph shall be substituted--

" (8) Flight Instructor Rating--

(a) Class 1. The holder of a pilot's licence which is endorsed with a flight instructor rating class I may--

(i) authorise and supervise all solo flights by student pilots ;

(ii) give directions regarding the authorisation and supervision of solo flights by student pilots (other than the first solo flight and the first solo cross-country flight) to the holder of a flight instructor rating class II ;

(iii) give instruction in flying to any person for the purpose of enabling such person to become qualified for the grant or renewal of a pilot's licence or for a rating or an extension of a rating ;

(iv) give directions, in relation to such instruction, to the holder of a flight instructor rating class II or to any person flying or about to fly as pilot in command of an aircraft for the purpose of becoming so qualified ;

(v) certify as to any matter required to be certified by a duly authorised instructor pursuant to the provisions of this Order.

(b) Class II. The holder of a pilot's licence which is endorsed with a flight instructor rating class II may, under the direction of the holder of a flight instructor rating class I--

(i) authorise and supervise solo flights by student pilots (other than the first solo flight and the first solo cross-country flight) ;

(ii) give instruction in flying to any person for the purpose of enabling such person to become qualified for the grant or renewal of a pilot's licence or for a rating or an extension of a rating ;

(iii) give directions, in relation to such instruction, to any person flying or about to fly as pilot in command of an aircraft for the purpose of becoming so qualified."

12. In Article 45, paragraph (1), there shall be substituted--

(a) " No. 1 " for " No. 2 " as the visual requirement for the flight navigator's licence ;

(b) " No. 1 " for " No. 2 " as the colour perception requirement for the flight navigator's licence.

13. In Schedule I, Part II, paragraph 4(b), for the words " acquired on mechanical devices acceptable to the Minister " there shall be substituted the words " instrument ground time."

14. In Schedule I, Part IV, paragraph 2, for subparagraph (1) there shall be substituted the following subparagraph--

" (1) The applicant shall have completed a total of not less than 200 hours of flight time, or 150 hours if he has satisfactorily completed a course of approved training, of which not less than 100 hours shall have been as pilot in command.

The total flight time shall include--

(a) 20 hours cross-country flight time as pilot in command including one flight of not less than 300 nautical miles in the course of which the aircraft landed and came to rest at two intermediate points ;

(b) 10 hours night flight either wholly as pilot in command or as a combination of time as pilot in command and dual instruction time, provided that not less than 5 hours shall have been time as pilot in command ;

(d) 10 hours of instrument time, of which not more than 5 hours may have been instrument ground time ;

(e) not less than 10 hours flight time as pilot in command during the six months immediately preceding the date of the application."

15. In Schedule I, Part V, for paragraph 2 there shall be substituted the following paragraph--

" 2. Experience.

(1) The applicant shall have completed a total of not less than 700 hours of flight time, of which not less than 200 hours shall have been either wholly as pilot in command or a combination of flight time as pilot in command and flight time credited in accordance with subparagraph (4) below.

(2) The total of 200 hours specified in subparagraph (1) above shall include :--

(a) at least 50 hours cross-country flight time ;

(b) at least 25 hours of flight by night, including--

(i) at least 10 hours of cross-country flight, and

(ii) at least ten take-offs and ten landings ;

In lieu of the 10 hours cross-country flight by night specified in (b) (i) above the applicant may have had ten hours of cross-country instrument flight time, which shall have been additional to the instrument time specified in subparagraph (3) below.

(3) The applicant shall have completed--

(a) not less than 40 hours of instrument time, of which not more than 20 hours may have been instrument ground time, or,

(b) if he has satisfactorily completed a course of approved training, not less than 30 hours of instrument time, of which not more than 10 hours may have been instrument ground time.

(4) For the purpose of calculating the 200 hours flight time specified in subparagraph (1) above the applicant may be credited with one half of any flight time completed by him as co-pilot performing under the supervision of a pilot in command the duties and functions of a pilot in command, provided that--

(a) such flight time shall have been acquired on an aircraft required to be operated with a co-pilot ;

(b) the supervision by the pilot in command shall be in accordance with a method acceptable to the Minister ;

(c) such flight time shall be recorded and certified in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4 of Schedule VI to this Order ;

(d) the total amount of such flight time so credited shall not exceed 50 hours.

(5) For the purpose of calculating the total of 700 hours flight time specified in subparagraph (1) above the applicant may be credited with one half of any flight time completed by him as co-pilot of an aircraft required to be operated with a co-pilot."

16. In Schedule I, Part VI, for paragraph 2 there shall be substituted the following paragraph--

" 2. Experience.

(1) The applicant shall have completed a total of not less than 1,200 hours of flight time, of which--

(a) not less than 250 hours shall have been either wholly as pilot in command or a combination of flight time as pilot in command and flight time credited in accordance with subparagraph (4) below, and shall include--

(i) at least 100 hours of cross-country flight time ;

(ii) at least 25 hours of cross-country night flight ;

(iii) at least 10 hours flight time during the six months immediately preceding the date of the application.

(b) not less than 100 hours shall have been night flight as pilot ;

(c) not less than 200 hours shall have been cross-country flight time as co-pilot of an aircraft required to be operated with a co-pilot ;

(2) The applicant shall have completed not less than 75 hours of instrument time, of which not more than 25 hours may have been instrument ground time.

(3) An applicant who has completed not less than 200 hours cross-country flight time as pilot in command may be exempted from the requirement specified in subparagraph (1) (c) above.

(4) For the purpose of calculating the 250 hours flight time specified in subparagraph (1) (a) above the applicant may be credited with one half of any flight time completed by him as co-pilot performing under the supervision of a pilot in command the duties and functions of a pilot in command, provided that--

(a) such flight time shall have been acquired on an aircraft required to be operated with a co-pilot ;

(b) the supervision of the pilot in command shall be in accordance with a method acceptable to the Minister ;

(c) such flight time shall be recorded and certified in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 4 of Schedule VI to this Order ;

(d) the total amount of such flight time so credited shall not exceed 100 hours.

(5) For the purpose of calculating the total of 1,200 hours flight time specified in subparagraph (1) above, the applicant may be credited with one half of any flight time completed by him as co-pilot of an aircraft required to be operated with a co-pilot."

17. In Schedule I, Part VII--

(a) in paragraph 1, before the word " type " in the second line, there shall be inserted the words " class or " ;

(b) in paragraph 3--

(i) at the commencement of the paragraph there shall be inserted--

" (1) Class I--" ;

(ii) for the figures " (1) " and " (2) " before the existing subparagraphs there shall be substituted the letters " (a) " and " (b) " respectively ;

(iii) there shall be added the following subparagraph--

" (2) Class II--

(a) The applicant shall have completed a total of not less than 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command, of which total at least 30 hours shall have been as pilot in command on the class or type of aircraft for which the rating is sought.

(b) The applicant shall be required to produce evidence of satisfactory recent experience on the type of aircraft for which the rating is sought " ;

(c) in paragraph 6, for the words " 40 hours flight time as pilot in command, of which not less than 15 hours shall have been " there shall be substituted the words " 3 hours as flight instructor."

18. In Schedule I, Part VIII, for paragraph 3 there shall be substituted the following paragraph--

" 3. Skill.

(1) The applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Minister by undergoing such instrument flying tests as may be prescribed his competence to fly solely by reference to instruments and in accordance with the instrument flight rules.

(2) The applicant shall be required in the course of the instrument flying tests to solve problems of dead-reckoning navigation and fixing of position, and, while piloting the aircraft under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions, to undertake orientation, let-down and approach procedures by the use of radio at a given aerodrome, including the communication procedures necessary in the particular case."

19. In Schedule VI, paragraph 4, for subparagraph (2) there shall be substituted the following subparagraph--

" (2) Flight time so recorded by a co-pilot performing under the supervision of a pilot in command, the duties and functions of a pilot in command shall be certified by the pilot in command, in such manner as may be prescribed, opposite the entry in the log book recording such flight time."

20. For the existing heading and provisions of Schedule VII there shall be substituted the following heading and provisions--

" MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL

1. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Schedule, an applicant for the grant or renewal of a licence to act in any capacity as a flight crew member of an aircraft shall meet the appropriate medical requirements set out herein, provided that :--

(a) an applicant who fails to satisfy the appropriate medical requirements may, at the discretion of the Minister, be regarded as eligible for the grant or renewal of a licence if the licence is to be restricted to flight within the State. The grant or renewal of any licence to be so restricted may be made subject to such conditions and limitations as the Minister may consider appropriate in the particular case ;

(b) if an applicant for the renewal of a licence is for the time being on duty as a flight crew member of an aircraft in a region distant from the usual place of medical examination, the medical examination which he should normally pass for the renewal of the licence may exceptionally, at the discretion of the Minister--

(i) be deferred once for a period of six months in the case of a flight crew member of a private aircraft ; or

(ii) be deferred for two consecutive periods of three months each in the case of a flight crew member of a public transport or aerial work aircraft, on condition that the applicant obtains locally on each occasion a satisfactory medical certificate after having been examined by a qualified physician performing public medical functions in that region or experienced in the examination of aviation personnel or, if such is not available, by a physician legally qualified to practise.

2. Every applicant who presents himself for medical examination for the grant or renewal of a licence shall furnish to the medical examiner or medical board, as the case may be, a declaration signed by himself stating whether he has previously undergone such a medical examination, and if so, when and with what result. A false declaration may entail the cancellation of any licence granted or renewed as a result of the examination.

3.--(1) An applicant for the grant or renewal of an instrument rating who is the holder of a private or commercial pilot's licence shall be required to satisfy Hearing Requirement No. 1.

(2) Where an applicant for the grant or renewal of a licence or for the inclusion in a licence or the renewal of a rating fails to satisfy the requirements, the licence or rating may nevertheless be granted, included or renewed, as the case may be, subject to the following conditions :--

(a) The medical report indicates that :

(i) the condition of the applicant is not such as to introduce any hazard either of sudden incapacity or of inability to perform his duties safely during the validity period of the licence, and

(ii) failure to attain the requirements is capable of being compensated.

(b) The Minister has satisfactory evidence that the applicant's already acquired and demonstrated ability, skill and experience compensates for his deficiency.

(c) The licence shall be endorsed with any special limitations when the safe performance of flight duties is dependent on compliance with such limitations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS.

4. Physical Requirement No. 1.--The medical examination and assessment shall be based on the following requirements of mental and physical fitness :--

The applicant shall be required to be free from any active or latent, acute or chronic, physical disability; that would entail any degree of functional incapacity which is likely to interfere with the safe handling of an aircraft at any altitude throughout a prolonged or difficult flight.

The medical examination shall include a full enquiry into the family and personal history of the applicant. The information obtained shall be given in a statement made and signed by him and shall be taken into consideration by the medical board.

Examination of the nervous system--The applicant shall have no history of significant mental or nervous trouble. He shall be required to be free from any mental impairment, or presumptive evidence of latent epilepsy. He shall be required to be free from any progressive disease of the nervous system and from any non-progressive disease of that system, the effects of which are likely to interfere with the safe handling of an aircraft. Cases of past or present insanity and cases in which syphilis, past or present, has affected the central nervous system shall be assessed as permanently unfit.

Injuries of the head--Cases of simple concussion, or simple fracture of the skull without associated intracranial injury shall be assessed as temporarily unfit until such time as the medical board is satisfied that the effects of the concussion or fracture are no longer likely to jeopardise safety in flight. If the period of incapacity exceeds one month, the licence shall when renewed be made valid only for a period of two months in the first instance. Thereafter its validity shall be restricted to consecutive periods of two months until the medical board reports that the after-effects of the concussion or fracture are no longer likely to cause a sudden incapacity in flight.

Cases of head injury associated with intracranial injuries shall be assessed as permanently unfit if a local lesion of the brain or meninges persists.

General surgical examination--The applicant shall neither suffer from any wound, or injury, nor have undergone any operation, nor possess any abnormality, congenital or acquired, which is considered by the medical board likely to interfere with the safe handling of an aircraft at any altitude throughout a prolonged or difficult flight. He shall be required to be completely free from hernia.

Locomotor System--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. On issue or renewal of a licence, functional after-effects of lesion affecting the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and certain anatomical defects compatible with safe handling of aircraft at any altitude and throughout a prolonged or difficult flight may be assessed as fit.

Digestive tract--Any sequelae of disease or surgical intervention on any part of the digestive tract and its adnexae, liable to cause sudden incapacity in flight, in particular any obstructions due to stricture or compression, shall be assessed as unfit.

Thoracic cage--Any extensive mutiliation of the chest wall with collapse of the thoracic cage and sequelae of surgical procedures resulting in decreased respiratory efficiency at altitude shall be unfit.

Urinary System--Any sequelae of disease or surgical procedures on the kidneys and the urinary tracts liable to cause sudden incapacity, in particular any obstructions due to stricture or compression, shall be assessed as unfit. Compensated nephrectomy without hypertension or uraemia may be assessed as fit.

An applicant who has undergone a major surgical operation on the biliary passages or the digestive tract or its adnexae or the urinary system, which has involved a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of these organs shall be assessed as unfit until such time as the medical board, having had access to the details of the operation concerned, considers that the effects of the operation are not liable to cause sudden incapacity in the air.

General Medical examination--The applicant shall not suffer from any disease or disability which renders him liable suddenly to become unable to handle aircraft safely.

The heart shall not possess any abnormality, congenital or acquired, which is likely to interfere with the safe handling of aircraft. Respiratory arrythmia, occasional extra systoles 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 coming within " normal " limits.

The systolic and diastolic blood pressures shall be within normal limits.

There shall be no significant functional or structural abnormality of the circulatory tree.

There shall be no acute disability of the lungs or any active disease of the structures of the lungs, mediastinum or pleura. Radiography shall form a part of the chest examination for the grant or renewal of a licence and also in all doubtful clinical cases.

Cases of pulmonary emphysema should be assessed as unfit only if the condition is causing symptoms.

Cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis, however diagnosed, shall be assessed as unfit. Cases of quiescent or healed lesions which are known to be tuberculous, or are presumably tuberculous, in origin may be assessed as fit. Cases of doubt about the activity of a lesion, where symptoms of activity of the disease are lacking, clinically, shall be assessed as temporarily unfit for a period of not less than three months from the date of the medical examination. At the end of the three months' period, a further radiographic record shall be made and compared carefully with the original. If there is no sign of extension of the disease and there are no general symptoms or symptoms referable to the chest, the applicant may be assessed as fit but where the licence is renewed in these circumstances it shall be made valid only for a period of three months in the first instance. Thereafter, provided there continues to be no sign of extension of the disease as shown by radiographic examinations carried out at the end of each three months' period, the validity of the licence shall be restricted to consecutive periods of three months. When the applicant has been under observation under this scheme for a total period of at least two years and comparison of all the radiographic records shows no changes or only retrogression of the lesion, the lesion shall be regarded as " quiescent " or " healed."

Cases of disabling disease with important impairment of function of the gastro-intestinal tract and its adnexae shall be assessed as unfit.

Cases of significant metabolic, nutritional or endocrine disorders shall be assessed as unfit. Proven cases of diabetes mellitus shall be assessed as permanently unfit ; doubtful cases shall be assessed as unfit until the condition is proved to be non-diabetic.

Cases of severe and moderate enlargement of the spleen persistently below the costal margin shall be assessed as unfit. Cases of significant, localised and general enlargement of the lymphatic glands and of diseases of the blood shall be assessed as unfit ; those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

Cases presenting any signs of organic disease of the kidney shall be assessed as unfit ; those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit. The urine shall contain no abnormal element considered by the medical board to be pathological. Cases of affections of the urinary passages and of the genital organs shall be assessed as unfit ; those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

An applicant for the first grant of a licence who has a personal history of syphilis shall be required to furnish evidence, satisfactory to the medical board, that he has undergone adequate treatment. An applicant showing any clinical signs of active syphilis shall be assessed as temporarily unfit for a period of not less than three months from the date of the medical examination. At the end of the three months' period, provided the applicant furnishes proof, satisfactory to the medical board, that he has undergone adequate treatment in the interim and that the serological reaction for syphilis is negative, he may be assessed as fit, but where a licence is issued or renewed in these circumstances it shall be made valid only for a period of three months in the first instance. Thereafter, provided serological reactions for syphilis continue to be negative at the end of each three months' period, the validity of the licence shall be restricted to consecutive periods of three months. When the applicant has been under observation under this scheme for a total period of at least three years and the serological reactions have continued to be negative, the restriction on the period of validity of the licence may be removed. In cases where the serological reaction for syphilis remains persistently positive, examinations of the cerebrospinal fluid at the end of each period of six months with negative results may be accepted in lieu of negative serological reactions at the end of each period of three months.

The cases of applicants of the female sex who have undergone gynaecological operations shall be considered individually. Applicants of the female sex who have a history of severe menstrual disturbances that have proved unamenable to treatment and that are likely to interfere with the safe handling of aircraft shall be assessed as unfit. In the event of presumed pregnancy the applicant shall be assessed as temporarily unfit. After confinement or miscarriage the applicant shall not be permitted to exercise the privileges of her licence until she has undergone a new medical examination and been assessed as fit.

Eye examination--The functions of the eye and its adnexae shall be normal. There shall be no active pathological condition, acute or chronic, of either eye or adnexae which is considered likely to interfere with its proper function to an extent that would jeopardise safety in flight.

Ear examination--There shall be :--

(a) no active pathological process, acute or chronic, of the internal ear or middle ear cleft ;

(b) no unhealed (unclosed) perforation of the tympanic membranes, except that a single dry perforation of non-infectious origin need not render the applicant ineligible, provided that he meets the appropriate hearing requirements set out in this Schedule ;

(d) no permanent disturbances of the vestibular apparatus. Transient conditions may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

Nose, throat and mouth examination--There shall be free nasal air entry on both sides. There shall be no serious malformation nor serious, acute or chronic affection of the buccal cavity or upper respiratory tract. Defects of speech and stuttering shall be assessed as unfit.

5. Physical Requirement No. 2--The medical examination and assessment shall be based on the following requirements of mental and physical fitness :--

The applicant shall be required to be free from such active or latent, acute or chronic physical disability as would entail a degree of functional incapacity which is likely to interfere with the safe performance of his duties at any altitude throughout a prolonged or difficult flight.

The medical examination shall include a full inquiry into the family and personal history of the applicant. The information obtained shall be given in a statement made and signed by him and shall be taken into consideration by the medical board.

Examination of the nervous system--The applicant shall have no history of significant mental or nervous trouble. He shall be required to be free from any mental impairment, or presumptive evidence of latent epilepsy. He shall be required to be free from any progressive disease of the nervous system and from any non-progressive disease of that system, the effects of which are likely to interfere with the safe performance of his duties. Cases of past or present insanity and cases in which syphilis, past or present, has affected the central nervous system shall be assessed as permanently unfit.

Injuries of the head--Cases of simple concussion or simple fracture of the skull without associated intracranial injury shall be assessed as temporarily unfit until such time as the medical board is satisfied that the effects of the concussion or fracture are no longer likely to jeopardise safety in flight. If the period of incapacity exceeds one month, the licence shall when renewed be made valid only for a period of two months in the first instance. Thereafter its validity shall be restricted to consecutive periods of two months until the medical board reports that the after-effects of the concussion or fracture are no longer likely to cause a sudden incapacity in flight.

Cases of head injury associated with intracranial injuries shall be assessed as permanently unfit if a local lesion of the brain or meninges persists.

Cases of head injury in which there has been an operation on the skull with loss of bony substance involving the two tables of the cranial vault shall be assessed as permanently unfit.

General surgical examination--The applicant shall neither suffer from any wound or injury, nor have undergone any operation, nor possess any abnormality, congenital or acquired, which is considered by the medical board likely to interfere with the safe performance of his duties at any altitude throughout a prolonged or difficult flight. He shall be required to be completely free from hernia.

Thoracic cage--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 shall be unfit.

Urinary System--Any sequelae of disease or surgical procedures on the kidneys and the urinary tracts liable to cause sudden incapacity, in particular any obstructions, due to stricture or compression, shall be assessed as unfit. Compensated nephrectomy without hypertension or uraemia may be assessed as fit.

General medical examination--The applicant shall not suffer from any disease or disability which renders him liable suddenly to become unable to perform his duties safely. The heart shall not possess any abnormality, congenital or acquired, which is likely to interfere with safe performance of duties. Respiratory arrhythmia, occasional extra systoles 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 coming within " normal " limits.

The systolic and diastolic blood pressures shall be within normal limits.

There shall be no significant functional or structural abnormality of the circulatory tree.

Cases of pulmonary emphysema should be assessed as unfit only if the condition is causing symptoms.

Cases of doubt about the activity of a lesion, where symptoms of activity of the disease are lacking, clinically, shall be assessed as temporarily unfit for a period of not less than three months from the date of the medical examination. At the end of the three months' period, a further radiographic record shall be made and compared carefully with the original. If there is no sign of extension of the disease and there are no general symptoms or symptoms referable to the chest, the applicant may be assessed as fit, but where the licence is renewed in these circumstances it shall be made valid only for a period of three months in the first instance. Thereafter, provided there continues to be no sign of extension of the disease as shown by radiographic examinations carried out at the end of each three months' period, the validity of the licence shall be restricted to consecutive periods of three months. When the applicant has been under observation under this scheme for a total period of at least two years and comparison of all the radiographic records shows no changes or only retrogression of the lesion, the lesion shall be regarded as " quiescent " or " healed."

Cases of disabling disease with important impairment of function of the gastro-intestinal tract and its adnexae shall be assessed as unfit.

Cases of severe and moderate enlargement of the spleen persistently below the costal margin shall be assessed as unfit. Cases of significant, localised and general enlargement of the lymphatic glands and of diseases of the blood shall be assessed as unfit ; those due to transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

An applicant for the first grant of a licence who has a personal history of syphilis shall be required to furnish evidence, satisfactory to the medical board, that he has undergone adequate treatment. An applicant showing any clinical signs of active syphilis shall be assessed as temporarily unfit for a period of not less than three months from the date of the medical examination. At the end of the three months' period, provided the applicant furnishes proof, satisfactory to the medical board, that he has undergone adequate treatment in the interim and that the serological reaction for syphilis is negative, he may be assessed as fit, but where a licence is issued or renewed in these circumstances it shall be made valid only for a period of three months in the first instance. Thereafter, provided serological reactions for syphilis continue to be negative at the end of each three months' period, the validity of the licence shall be restricted to consecutive periods of three months. When the applicant has been under observation under this scheme for a total period of at least three years and the serological reactions have continued to be negative, the restrictions on the period of validity of the licence may be removed. In cases where the serological reaction for syphilis remains persistently positive, examinations of the cerebrospinal fluid at the end of each period of six months with negative results may be accepted in lieu of negative serological reactions at the end of each period of three months.

The cases of applicants of the female sex who have undergone gynaecological operations shall be considered individually. Applicants of the female sex who have a history of severe menstrual disturbances that have proved unamenable to treatment and that are likely to interfere with the safe performance of their duties shall be assessed as unfit. In the event of presumed pregnancy the applicant shall be assessed as temporarily unfit. After confinement or miscarriage the applicant shall not be permitted to exercise the privileges of her licence until she has undergone a new medical examination and been assessed as fit.

Eye examination--The functions of the eye and its adnexae shall be normal. There shall be no 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 jeopardize safety in flight.

Ear examination--There shall be :--

(a) no active pathological process, acute or chronic, of the internal ear or middle ear cleft ;

(b) no unhealed (unclosed) perforation of the tympanic membranes, except that a dry perforation need not render the applicant ineligible, provided that he meets the appropriate hearing requirements set out in this Schedule;

(d) no permanent disturbances of the vestibular apparatus. Transient conditions may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

Nose, throat and mouth examination--There shall be free nasal air entry on both sides. There shall be no serious malformation nor serious, acute or chronic affection of the buccal cavity or upper respiratory tract. Applicants suffering from a serious degree of stuttering shall be assessed as unfit.

6. Physical Requirement No. 3--The medical examination and assessment shall be based on the following requirements of mental and physical fitness :--

The applicant shall be required to be free from any congenital or acquired disability causing such degree of functional incapacity as is considered likely to interfere with the safe handling of the aircraft under ordinary conditions.

Cases of simple concussion or simple fracture of the skull without associated intracranial injury shall be assessed as temporarily unfit until such time as the medical examiner is satisfied that the effects of the concussion or fracture are no longer likely to jeopardise safety in flight.

Cases of head injury associated with intracranial injuries shall be assessed as permanently unfit if a local lesion of the brain or meninges persists ;

Cases of head injury in which there has been an operation on the skull with loss of bony substance involving the two tables of the cranial vault shall be assessed as permanently unfit; cases repaired by plates ensuring present and future integrity of the central nervous system may be assessed as fit. The licence shall not be renewed until a period of one year has expired.

General surgical examination--The applicant shall neither suffer from any wound or injury, nor have undergone any operation, nor possess any abnormality, congenital or acquired, which is likely to interfere with the safe handling of an aircraft. He shall be required to be free from hernia. Cases in which the medical examiner is satisfied that a well-fitted truss will be worn may be assessed as fit.

Locomotor System--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. Certain qualifying functional after-effects of lesion affecting the bones, joints, muscles or tendons and certain anatomical defects compatible with safe handling of aircraft in flight may be assessed as fit.

An applicant who has undergone a major surgical operation on the biliary passages or the digestive tract or its adnexae or the urinary system, which has involved a total or partial excision or a diversion of any of these organs shall be assessed as unfit until such time as the medical examiner, having had access to the details of the operation concerned, considers that the effects of the operation are not liable to cause sudden incapacity in the air.

General medical examination--The applicant shall not suffer from any disease or disability which renders him liable suddenly to become unable to handle aircraft safely.

The heart shall not possess any abnormality congenital or acquired which is likely to interfere with the safe handling of aircraft. Respiratory arrhythmia, occasional extra systoles 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 coming within " normal " limits.

The systolic and diastolic blood pressures shall be within normal limits with due regard to age.

There shall be no significant functional or structural abnormality of the circulatory tree. The presence of varicosities shall not necessarily entail unfitness.

There shall be no 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 chest examination for the grant or renewal of a licence and also in all doubtful clinical cases.

Cases of pulmonary emphysema should be assessed as unfit, only if the condition is causing symptoms.

Cases of disabling disease with important impairment of function of the gastro-intestinal tract and its adnexae shall be assessed as unfit.

Proven cases of diabetes mellitus shall be assessed as unfit ; doubtful cases shall be assessed as unfit until the condition is proven to be non-diabetic.

Cases of significant localised and generalised enlargement of the lymphatic glands and of diseases of the blood shall be assessed as unfit. Those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

Cases presenting any signs of organic disease of the kidney shall be assessed as unfit ; those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit. The urine shall contain no abnormal element considered by the medical examiner to be pathological. Cases of affections of the urinary passages and of the genital organs shall be assessed as unfit ; those due to a transient condition may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

An applicant for the first grant of a licence who has a personal history of syphilis shall be required to furnish evidence, satisfactory to the medical examiner, that he has undergone adequate treatment.

Cases of presumed pregnancy shall be assessed as temporarily unfit.

Eye examination--There shall be no 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.

Ear examination--There shall be :--

(a) no active pathological process, acute or chronic, of the internal ear or middle ear cleft ;

(b) no permanent disturbances of the vestibular apparatus. Transient conditions may be assessed as temporarily unfit.

Nose, throat and mouth examination--There shall be no serious malformation or serious, acute or chronic affection of the buccal cavity or upper respiratory tract.

VISUAL REQUIREMENTS.

Visual acuity shall be measured by methods that ensure full equivalence with an evaluation of 20/20 (6/6, 1·0) for normal acuity of vision.

7. Visual Requirement No. 1--The applicant shall be required to have :--

(a) normal fields of vision ;

(b) a visual acuity of at least 20/30 (6/9, ·7) in each eye separately, without correction ; provided that if the vision in either or both eyes is less than 20/30 (6/9, ·7), but not less than 20/60 (6/18, ·3) and can be brought up to 20/20 (6/6, 1) or better in each eye by glasses, the applicant may be assessed as fit. Cases of visual acuity of not lower than 20/40 (6/12, ·5) in each eye separately, without correction, may be accepted subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 (2)(a) of this Schedule. An applicant with a visual acuity below 20/40 (6/12, ·5) when exercising the privileges of his licence shall be required to wear correcting lenses constantly and to carry a second set on his person ;

(d) not more than 1 dioptre of hyperphoria in either eye;

(e) not more than 6 dioptres of esophoria ;

(f) not more than 6 dioptres of exophoria ;

(g) an accommodation of at least V=1·00 at 12 inches with each eye separately without the use of correcting lenses, provided that where the applicant is over forty years of age, and already holds a licence, correcting glasses may be used to provide the same character of near vision.

8. Visual Requirement No. 2--The applicant shall be required to have--

(a) a visual acuity of at least 20/40 (6/12, ·5) in each eye separately, without correction ; provided that if the vision in either or both eyes is less than 20/40 (6/12, ·5) but not less than 20/100 (6/30, ·20) and can be brought up to 20/30 (6/9, 0·7) or better in each eye by glasses, the candidate may be assessed as fit upon condition that correcting glasses be worn constantly while exercising the privileges of the licence ;

(b) normal fields of vision.

9. Visual Requirement No. 3--The applicant shall be required to have--

(a) a visual acuity of at least 20/40 (6/12, ·5) in each eye separately, without correction, provided that if the vision in either or both eyes is less than 20/40 (6/12, ·5) but not less than 20/200 (6/60, ·1) and can be brought up to 20/30 (6/9, ·7) or better in each eye by glasses, the applicant may be assessed as fit upon condition that correcting glasses are worn constantly while exercising the privileges of the licence ;

(b) normal fields of vision ;

(d) not more than 6 dioptres of exophoria ;

(e) an accommodation of at least V=1·00 at 12 inches with each eye separately without the use of correcting lenses, provided that where the applicant is over forty years of age, and already holds a licence, correcting glasses may be used to provide the same character of near vision.

COLOUR PERCEPTION REQUIREMENTS.

The methods used for the examination shall be such as will provide a suitable test of the applicant's colour perception.

10. Colour Perception Requirement No. 1--The applicant shall be required to have normal colour perception.

11. Colour Perception Requirement No. 2--The applicant shall be required to demonstrate his ability readily to identify those colours used in aviation for the safe performance of his duties.

HEARING REQUIREMENTS.

The measurement of the auditory acuity set out hereunder shall be made by means of a standard pure tone audiometer in a quiet room, that is, a room in which the intensity of the background noise is less than 50 decibels as measured by a sound level meter.

12. Hearing Requirement No. 1--The applicant shall be required not to have a loss in either ear of more than 20 decibels at any one of the four frequencies, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 cycles per second.

13. Hearing Requirement No. 2--The applicant shall be required not to have a loss in either ear of more than 20 decibels at any one of the three frequencies, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 cycles per second nor of more than 40 decibels at the frequency of 3,000 cycles per second.

14. Hearing Requirement No. 3--The applicant shall be required not to have a loss in either ear of more than 40 decibels at any one of the three frequencies, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 cycles per second.

15. Hearing Requirement No. 4--The applicant shall be required to be able to hear a conversational voice, using both ears and standing with his back towards the examiner, at a distance of ten feet from the examiner."

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 17th day of November, 1953.

SEÁN F. LEMASS,

Minister for Industry and Commerce.

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	Irish Statutory Instruments
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Irish Statutory Instruments

S.I. No. 353/1953 -- Air Navigation (Personnel Licensing) (Amendment) Order, 1953.