Aviation medical examiner

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An Aviation Medical Examiner or Aero-medical Examiner (AME) is a physician designated by the national aviation authority and given the authority to perform flight physical examinations and issue aviation medical certificates. AMEs are practitioners of aviation medicine, although most are also qualified in other medical specialties.

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The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have established basic medical rules for determining whether a pilot or an air traffic controller is fit to act in that capacity, and they are codified in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. However, most countries' aviation authorities have developed their own specific details and clarifications to be used in addition to – frequently more stringently than – the high-level standards prescribed by ICAO. [1]

The military equivalent of the AME is the flight surgeon.

AMEs in the United States

AMEs are private physicians, not employees of the Federal Aviation Authority ( FAA). Interested physicians apply through their regional flight surgeon's office. [2] If selected and authorized, they are trained through a national process. A pilot can go to any examiner from a list of designated doctors and undergo an examination at any time. New AMEs are designated based upon the local demand for aeromedical certification services.

All AMEs may issue second-class or third-class certificates. Some AMEs are designated "senior aviation medical examiner", and may issue first-class certificates, which are required for pilots flying in air carrier operations. An AME can no longer issue combined medical/student pilot certificates as the FAA now issues separate student pilot certificates as of April 1, 2016. [3]

As of 2008, the FAA had approximately 3,927 civilian AME's located in 9 regions, 291 international AMEs located in 81 countries, and 350 federal AMEs (military, U.S. Coast Guard, NASA, and other agencies). The average age of American AME's is almost 60 years old and only 10% that serve are female. [4]

AMEs in Europe

Member states of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issue their own medical certificates. The local aviation authority in each state appoints AMEs, but all AMEs are recognised by all states. Medical records must be held by the same state which issues the pilot licence.

EASA regulations prescribe two standards of medical certificate. Class 2 is required for private flying on a private pilot licence (PPL) and the more stringent Class 1 is for professional pilots (commercial pilot licence (CPL) or airline transport pilot license (ATPL). An initial Class 1 medical examination must be performed by an Aero-Medical Centre (AeMC), but may be renewed by any suitably authorized AME. [5]

A Class 1 medical certificate is valid for 12 months, unless the pilot is aged 40 or over and carries out single pilot commercial air transport operations carrying passengers, or is aged over 60, in which case it is valid for 6 months. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight surgeon</span> Military occupation

A flight surgeon is a military medical officer practicing in the clinical field of aviation medicine. Although the term "flight surgery" is considered improper by purists, it may occasionally be encountered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glider pilot license</span> Type of pilot license

In most countries one is required to obtain a glider pilot license (GPL) or certificate before acting as pilot of a glider. The requirements vary from country to country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private pilot licence</span> Type of pilot license

A private pilot licence (PPL) or private pilot certificate is a type of pilot licence that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately. The basic licence requirements are determined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), but implementation varies from country to country. According to ICAO, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skill, and hold at least a Class 2 medical certificate. Different PPLs are available for different categories of aircraft, such as aeroplane, helicopter, airship, etc, and are not interchangeable, although experience from a PPL in one category may be credited towards the issue of another.

The airline transport pilot licence (ATPL), or in the United States of America, an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

A commercial pilot licence (CPL) is a type of pilot licence that permits the holder to act as a pilot of an aircraft and be paid for their work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aviation medicine</span>

Aviation medicine, also called flight medicine or aerospace medicine, is a preventive or occupational medicine in which the patients/subjects are pilots, aircrews, or astronauts. The specialty strives to treat or prevent conditions to which aircrews are particularly susceptible, applies medical knowledge to the human factors in aviation and is thus a critical component of aviation safety. A military practitioner of aviation medicine may be called a flight surgeon and a civilian practitioner is an aviation medical examiner. One of the biggest differences between the military and civilian flight doctors is the military flight surgeon's requirement to log flight hours.

Pilot licensing or certification refers to permits for operating aircraft. Flight crew licences are issued by the civil aviation authority of each country, which must establish that the holder has met minimum knowledge and experience before issuing licences. The licence, along with the required class or type rating, allows a pilot to fly aircraft registered in the licence issuing state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot certification in the United States</span> Pilot certification

Pilot certification in the United States is typically required for an individual to act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft. It is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). A pilot may be certified under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61 or 14 CFR Part 141. Pilots may also be certified under 14 CFR Part 107 for commercial drone operations.

Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight instructor</span> Person who teaches others to operate aircraft

A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to operate aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit of a higher pilot's license, certificate or rating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight dispatcher</span>

A flight dispatcher assists in planning flight paths, taking into account aircraft performance and loading, enroute winds, thunderstorm and turbulence forecasts, airspace restrictions, and airport conditions. Dispatchers also provide a flight following service and advise pilots if conditions change. They usually work in the operations center of the airline. In the United States and Canada, the flight dispatcher shares legal responsibility with the commander of the aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot in command</span> Flight crew role

The pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft is the person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the captain in a typical two- or three-pilot aircrew, or "pilot" if there is only one certificated and qualified pilot at the controls of an aircraft. The PIC must be legally certificated to operate the aircraft for the specific flight and flight conditions, but need not be actually manipulating the controls at any given moment. The PIC is the person legally in charge of the aircraft and its flight safety and operation, and would normally be the primary person liable for an infraction of any flight rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airworthiness</span> Measure of an aircrafts suitability for safe flight

In aviation, airworthiness is the measure of an aircraft's suitability for safe flight. Initial airworthiness is demonstrated by a certificate of airworthiness issued by the civil aviation authority in the state in which the aircraft is registered, and continuing airworthiness is achieved by performing the required maintenance actions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type rating</span> Certification of an airplane pilot to fly a certain type of aircraft

A type rating is an authorization entered on or associated with a pilot licence and forming part thereof, stating the pilot's privileges or limitations pertaining to certain aircraft type. Such qualification requires additional training beyond the scope of the initial license and aircraft class training.

In the United States, there are three classes of medical certifications for pilots; such certificates are required to legally exercise the privileges of a Pilot exercising the privileges of either a Private, Commercial, or Airline Transport Pilot license. Medical Certificates are not needed for Glider, Balloon, Recreational, or Sport Pilot certifications. Each certificate must be issued by a doctor approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to a person of stable physical and mental health.

The National Private Pilot Licence (NPPL) is a licence to fly United Kingdom registered aircraft within the United Kingdom. It is a more basic licence than the private pilot licence (PPL), and cannot be used to fly all aircraft. It can be used to fly basic aircraft such as vintage aircraft or kit-built aircraft. To fly many basic aircraft such as the Cessna 172, it is necessary to upgrade to at minimum a light aircraft pilot licence (LAPL).

An aircraft maintenance engineer (AME), also licensed aircraft maintenance engineer, is a licensed person who carries out and certifies aircraft maintenance. The license is widespread internationally and is recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The American FAA recognise the qualification in foreign countries but refers to it as aviation maintenance engineer rather than "Aircraft...". Unlicensed mechanics or tradespersons are sometimes informally referred to as "Unlicensed AMEs"

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil Aerospace Medical Institute</span>

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) is the medical certification, education, research, and occupational medicine wing of the Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM) under the auspices of the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Aviation Safety. The Institute's primary goal is to enhance aviation safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeromedical Center (AMC)</span> Military unit

The Aeromedical Center (AMC) (German: Fliegerärztliche Institut (FAI); French: Institut de médecine aéronautique (IMA); Italian: Istituto di medicina aeronautica (IMA)), is a Swiss center for medical and psychological assessments of men and women in the areas of military and civil aviation.

Aviation in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association is regulated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). EASA specifies common standards for the licensing of aircraft pilots. EASA does not issue licences, rather licences are issued by member states. However, because the same standards are used, EASA licences are recognised by all member states.

References

  1. ↑ "Medical certification following illness". UK Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original on 2007-02-03.
  2. ↑ Jedick, Rocky. "Become an Aviation Medical Examiner Today". Go Flight Medicine. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "Become a Pilot – Student Pilot's Certificate Requirements". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  4. ↑ "Become an Aviation Medical Examiner Today! | GO FLIGHT MEDICINE".
  5. ↑ "Medical". EASA. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "Apply for a Class 1 medical certificate". www.caa.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
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