F6424 CFMO Support - IBN 7 (2025)

I believe that is covered under the broad term of ‘Physical Disability’ but I can easily see the confusion in that causing it to not cover it properly.

1 Like

I do wonder what timeframe was given by the RAF to RAFAC? We have less than month for cadets to complete Av Med Form 1 in order to assess if F6424 action is needed - then the parents / guardian will have to liaise in time with their GP.

Luckily, we only have one F6424 expiring (3 months) in the near future = I’ve told the parents to crack on with renewal! The cadet in question is applying for a flight staff cadet position at a VGS so the F6424 will certainly be needed.

Had contact with one of my higher up Av Med RAF friends - the branch is very short of staff & some are covering multiple (busy) posts.

1 Like

So the RAF’s own doctors can’t support cadets getting airborne but they can do tests to prove that Tunnocks Tea Cakes are safe for aircrew to take on board aircraft?

Priorities

I very much doubt it’s the same people involved.

1 Like

I’m led to believe, same team, but higher than CFMO. :flushed:

But they’ve been trying to resolve this mystery for 60 years, getting cadets flying is only an after-thought :roll_eyes:

I think we should make the most of it and add teacakes to the kit list for flying.

1 Like

New IBN allowing temporary extension of F6424.

This is a good update. Sensible approach. Decently written IBN which also includes detail that they are recruiting someone to take over responsibility for F6424s going forward.

Was chatting about this last night. I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. It needs someone with the requisite aviation medical knowledge that will satisfy the “Risks to Life” aspects - it will probably have to be a current Av Med specialist (military or CAA) to fit the bill?

I wonder how many F6424s were referred upwards to the CFMO annually? The ones I’ve had to deal with have all be “GP doesn’t want to sign off the form” rather than specific medical conditions.

If there are only a relatively small number, it would probably be cheaper / easier for cadets with a “problematical” F6424 to get a CAA Class 2 medical certificate (£294), valid for 5 yrs!

2 Likes

But then who pays!

On a related tangent (apologies if the idea is a bit crack pot) - how much is medcert for FireArm certificates. Appreciate its different risks but could it be a cheaper screener?

If we go down the CAA route and accept a medical from a civilian authority regarding risks to life, not allowing us to use private providers for actually providing aviation (e.g. BGA clubs) becomes even more untenable a position, so i can’t see it happening.

3 Likes

RAFAC. If there were say 50 such cadets = cost of salary for one specialist person for one yr (£30-40?K), but only £14.7K for CAA Class 2.

£60 + VAT.

Why would this be problematical? The route would only be used for those F6424s that require upward action. The F6424 issue is RAFAC-driven.

It’s the principle of accepting CAA standards for medicals, but not for certifying flying/gliding clubs.

2 Likes

Well, could be a very useful wedge if that came into play. :smiling_imp:

2 Likes

If the cadet takes a Tunnocks Tea Cake for the pilot, can they fly regardless of medical condition?

I’ve been hanging around Zoomers too much.

I read that as “for the plot” :man_facepalming:

1 Like