Designated aviation medical examiner's handbook

The handbook helps you stay informed across a range of aeromedical topics. It will also help communicating with pilots and air traffic controllers who are looking for the services of a DAME.

The handbook includes medical investigations or specialist reviews. Reviews are helpful in CASA’s decision-making processes for medical certification applications.

It also covers how your practice complies with the Medical Records System (MRS).

Revision history

DAME handbook revision history

Version	Date	Parts/Sections	Details
1.0	Feb 2008	Template and content of all sections	Update and review
1.1	April 2012	All sections	Update and review
1.2	June 2016	All sections	Update and review
1.3	Aug 2018	All sections	Update and review
2.0	April 2022	Template update	Updated

Related content

Related rules and publications

Version/Edition

2.0

In this publication

• Introduction
  Find a helpful list of abbreviations and learn more about the CASA DAME handbook’s history including how it was developed.
  • 1.1 Abbreviations used in this Handbook
  • 1.2 The origin and development of the CASA DAME Handbook
  • 1.3 The purpose of the DAME Handbook
• Legal status, qualifications, and duties
  Learn all about appointments, duties, training requirements, experience, and qualifications for DAMEs and DAOs.
  • 2.1 Appointment and legal status of DAMEs
  • 2.2 Qualifications and experience
  • 2.3 Duration of designation
  • 2.4 Duties and responsibilities of DAMEs
  • 2.5 Duties and responsibilities of DAOs and COs
  • 2.6 Facilities and equipment
• Powers, medical reporting, and fees
  See what powers are conferred to DAMEs and information on DAME fees and Medicare.
  • 3.1 Powers under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations
  • 3.2 Indemnification of medical reporting
  • 3.3 Fees
• Licences, classes of medical certificates, and special reports
  We examine classes of medical certificates for licence types, how long medical certificates are valid for, and special reports.
  • 4.1 Licences
  • 4.2 Classes of medical certificates for licence types
  • 4.3 Duration of validity
  • 4.4 Special reports and periodic tests required for medical certification
• Submitting medical certificates and regulatory requirements
  Information on submitting completed applications, regulatory requirements, what a medical certificate records, and extensions.
  • 5.1 Submission of medical examinations
  • 5.2 Regulatory requirements
  • 5.3 The medical certificate
  • 5.4 Medical certificate extension or short-term re-issue
  • 5.5 Actions on medical certificates
  • 5.6 Identification of CASA examiners (DAMEs, DAOs and COs)
• Medical tests
  Find information about specific medical tests and requirements for all classes of medical certificates.
  • 6.1 Electrocardiographs
  • 6.2 Acceptable blood pressure levels
  • 6.3 Hearing tests
  • 6.4 Special hearing tests
  • 6.5 Assessment by Designated aviation ophthalmologists or Credential optometrist
  • 6.6 Temporary incapacity of certificate holders
  • 6.7 Additional investigations and specialist opinions
  • 6.8 Periodic examinations requirements
  • 6.9 Tests for alcohol and other drugs
  • 6.10 Tests of colour vision
  • 6.11 Health promotion activities
• Endorsement of medical certificates
  Learn about the conditions for an applicant's medical certificate and frequently used conditions endorsed on certificates.
  • 7.1 Conditions and endorsements
  • 7.2 Frequently used conditions endorsed on medical certificates
  • 7.3 Multi-crew endorsement
• 8.1 Quality assurance and audit
  Read about the need for good communication when submitting reports and applications to CASA and information on conducting a practice audit.
• ARNs and using multiple DAMEs
  Learn about how Aviation Reference Numbers (ARN) are used in the application process. Also, read our advice for pilots who may visit a different DAME for every application.
  • 9.2 Use of multiple DAMEs
  • 9.1 Aviation reference number (ARN) and identification
• Code of conduct and conditions of appointment for DAMEs
  Learn about the Code of Ethics of the Australian Medical Association and conditions of appointment under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) Part 67.
  • 10.1 Code of conduct for DAMEs, DAOs and COs
  • 10.2 Conditions of Appointment under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 67
• Assessments, eligibility, clinical practice guides and other procedures
  Read how DAMEs can assess and issue Class 2 certificates including prerequisites, excluded medical conditions, aeromedical risk assessment, and clinical practice guides.
  • 11.1 DAME's assessment and issue of Class 2 certificates
  • 11.2 DAME prerequisites for eligibility to be a DAME delegate for issue of Class 2 medical certificates
  • 11.3 Excluded medical conditions and prior endorsements
  • 11.4 CASA's approach to aeromedical risk assessment for clinical problems other than excluded medical conditions
  • 11.5 DAME Clinical Practice Guidelines
  • 11.6 Procedure for a DAME to issue a Class 2 medical certificate
• 12. MRS online terms and conditions
  Read our full terms and conditions for the online Medical Records System (MRS).