New IT System Challenges for NZ Pilot Medical Assessments

Medical assessments for pilots in New Zealand are set to become more challenging due to the introduction of a new IT system, sparking concerns among doctors.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has invested approximately $4 million in a German IT system known as EMPIC, intended to manage various tasks including medical evaluations. However, the Aviation Medical Society of New Zealand and Australia (AMSANZ) has raised significant concerns, arguing that the system is outdated, cumbersome, and lacks the necessary medical classification and data-mining capabilities. This has led to a call for the CAA to reconsider the implementation of EMPIC, highlighting that an offer from Australia to share its own system for free was overlooked, as well as the potential benefits of existing New Zealand software like Skycert.

Despite the backlash, the CAA defends its choice, arguing that EMPIC will not compromise safety and is a part of a broader strategy to modernize its IT infrastructure within a $16 million budget. The authority emphasizes that EMPIC is used by numerous other regulators worldwide and is flexible enough to be adapted to New Zealand’s specific needs. The transition, slated for completion by the end of 2024, aims to streamline regulatory processes and avoid duplication and errors. Meanwhile, the medical community remains skeptical, with some doctors considering quitting over the complexities and time demands the new system may impose, amidst a backdrop of an already dwindling number of aviation medical examiners.

For any future updates see Medical certification page on CAA