Air crew and air traffic controllers - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Includes

Air crew:
Flight crew
Cabin crew
Military aircrew
Military supernumerary crew

Air traffic controllers:
Civilian controllers
Military controllers

Obligatory

Air crew and air traffic controllers (except military):
Must not donate if:
On duty within the next 24 hours.

Military air crew:
Must not donate if:
On duty within the next 36 hours.

Military controllers:
Must not donate if:
On duty within the next 12 hours.

Discretionary

Non-military crew/controllers holding Class 3 medical certificates:

If not on duty within the next 12 hours, accept.

Supporting information

Additional information

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines state:

‘In order to prevent the very slight risk of post-donation faintness or syncope, donating blood or plasma should be avoided during the 24 hours before duty for holders of Class 1 and 2 medical certificates, and during the 12 hours before duty for holders of Class 3 medical certificates.’

There is no CAA guidance for crew that are not required to hold these types of medical certification. Donors to whom this applies, including cabin crew and some private pilots, should be advised not to donate if they are on duty within the next 24 hours in line with commercial pilots and other flight crew.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) guidelines state:

'Aircrew and Supernumerary Crew should not fly until 36 hours have elapsed after donating blood.' and

‘Military and MOD Contracted Civilian Controllers should not control until 12 hours have elapsed after donating blood.’

Reason for change:

Updated Civil Aviation Authority advice for holders of Class 3 medical certificates has been added.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 69 (04 July 2023)