---
title: "ATCO.MED.B.015 Respiratory system — ANNEX IV – PART ATCO.MED – MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, ATCO · Avioverse"
description: "Applicants with significant impairment of pulmonary function shall be referred to the licensing authority for the aero-medical assessment."
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/part-atco-med-medical-requirements-for-air-traffic/subpart-b/atco-med-b-015"
---

# ATCO.MED.B.015 Respiratory system

ANNEX IV – PART ATCO.MED – MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS · Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024

IR Implementing rule

## ATCO.MED.B.015 Respiratory system

(a) Applicants with [significant](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/significant) impairment of pulmonary function shall be referred to the [licensing authority](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/licensing-authority) for the [aero-medical assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aero-medical-assessment). A fit [assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) may be considered once pulmonary function has recovered and is satisfactory.

(b) [Examination](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/examination):

Pulmonary function tests are required at the initial examination and on clinical indication.

(c) Applicants with a history or established diagnosis of asthma requiring medication shall undergo a satisfactory respiratory evaluation. A fit assessment may be considered if the applicant is asymptomatic and treatment does not affect safety.

(d) Applicants with a history or established diagnosis in any of the following shall be referred to the licensing authority and undergo respiratory evaluation with a satisfactory result before a fit assessment may be considered:

(1) active inflammatory disease of the respiratory system;

(2) active sarcoidosis;

(3) pneumothorax;

(4) sleep apnoea syndrome;

(5) major thoracic surgery;

(6) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;

(7) lung transplantation.

IR · ATCO.MED.B.015 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC1 ATCO.MED.B.015 Respiratory system

(a) [Examination](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/examination)

(1) Spirometric examination is required for initial examination. An FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70 % should require evaluation by a specialist in respiratory disease before a fit [assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/assessment) can be considered.

(2) Posterior/anterior chest radiography may be required at initial, [revalidation](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/revalidation) or [renewal](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/renewal) examinations when indicated on clinical or epidemiological grounds.

(b) Chronic obstructive airways disease

Applicants with chronic obstructive airways disease should be assessed as unfit. Applicants with only minor impairment of their pulmonary function may be assessed as fit after specialist respiratory evaluation. Applicants with pulmonary emphysema may be assessed as fit following specialist evaluation showing that the condition is stable and not causing [significant](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/significant) symptoms.

(c) Asthma

Applicants with asthma requiring medication or experiencing recurrent attacks of asthma may be assessed as fit if the asthma is considered stable with satisfactory pulmonary function tests and medication is compatible with the safe execution of the privileges of the [licence](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/licence). Use of low dose systemic steroids may be acceptable.

(d) Inflammatory disease

(1) For applicants with active inflammatory disease of the respiratory system, a fit assessment may be considered when the condition has resolved without sequelae and no medication is required.

(2) Applicants with chronic inflammatory diseases may be assessed as fit following specialist evaluation showing mild disease with acceptable pulmonary function test and medication compatible with the safe execution of the privileges of the licence.

(e) Sarcoidosis

(1) Applicants with active sarcoidosis should be assessed as unfit. Specialist evaluation should be undertaken with respect to the possibility of systemic, particularly cardiac, involvement. A fit assessment may be considered if no medication is required, and the disease is limited to hilar lymphadenopathy and inactive. Use of low dose systemic steroids may be acceptable.

(2) Applicants with cardiac or neurological sarcoid should be assessed as unfit.

(f) Pneumothorax

Applicants with a spontaneous pneumothorax should be assessed as unfit. A fit assessment may be considered:

(1) six weeks after the event provided full recovery from a single event has been confirmed in a full respiratory evaluation including a CT scan or equivalent;

(2) following surgical intervention in the case of a recurrent pneumothorax provided there is satisfactory recovery.

(g) Thoracic surgery

(1) Applicants requiring thoracic surgery should be assessed as unfit until such time as the effects of the operation are no longer likely to interfere with the safe exercise of the privileges of the licence.

(2) A fit assessment may be considered after satisfactory recovery and full respiratory evaluation including a CT scan or equivalent. The underlying pathology which necessitated the surgery should be considered in the [aero-medical assessment](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/aero-medical-assessment).

(h) Sleep apnoea syndrome/sleep disorder

(1) Applicants with unsatisfactorily treated sleep apnoea syndrome and suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness should be assessed as unfit.

(2) A fit assessment may be considered subject to the extent of symptoms, including vigilance, and satisfactory treatment. ATCO operational experience, sleep apnoea syndrome/sleep disorder education and work place considerations are essential components of the aero-medical assessment.

AMC · AMC1 ATCO.MED.B.015 — Regulation (EU) 2015/340 · ED Decision 2015/010/R · ATCO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 14 Jun 2024

[All rules in SUBPART B – SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS 3 MEDICAL CERTIFICATES](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/atco/part-atco-med-medical-requirements-for-air-traffic/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 14 Jun 2024, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.