Aviation Medicine

I got a feeling this is a huge shot in the dark ,but I''m currently looking into applying for the ANG and hoping for a position flying, but I know USAF medical standards can be pretty strict compared to the other branches. I've looked into all the other branches and AD or Reserve, but long story short, ANG is the direction I want to go in right now. I have an issue of corneal degeneration in my right eye at the moment that has never been a problem to my vision and last I saw the optometrist my vision was still good but I fear that this may not completely put me in the clear as far as flying for ANG is concerned. It's never been a problem as far as I can tell and …

Hey guys, Looking for some guidance for a buddy of mine. We are currently in UPT and he has managed to dislocate his shoulder and was medically DQ'd. Unfortunately, he had dislocated it previously years ago and gotten surgery. The surgery seemed to have taken and he was granted a waiver. Now that he has dislocated it again he was DQ'd because of "shoulder instability" and was told by the flight docs that he is done. I can provide more details as required but the big picture question I'm getting at is; will the ANG be able to work some drug deal and approve him to continue training? Maybe through an ETP or somthing? (I have no clue what I'm talking a…

Hello all, As the title states, do you need any kind of medical certification with the FAA on the civilian side to fly military? I am trying to become either a pilot or navigator and want to know what's required. Also what level/ certifications of medicals are required for pilots/navs? Thanks in advance!

Hello, In 2017 I got a pilot slot as an ROTC cadet, went to medical screening and was medically qualified. Later that year, I had a bad sinus infection. My doctor said I might have mild chronic sinitus and recommended sinus surgery. I advised SG of the situation and was DQ'd from all rated duties with mention that I could be evaluated in one year after the surgery and attempt to overturn the DQ. I was reassigned to a different AFSC. I recently commissioned and will EAD in two weeks (although I still don't have my orders haha). I had a CT scan last week that shows I would be good to go as per the AFCENT waiver guide (showing ostea of sinuses to be patent, reliev…

Any flyers have experience with repeat rhabdo? I'm pending an MEB for it unfortunately with a Do Not Retain recommendation because the flight doc is saying I have the potential to be nondeployable to the sandbox because it's too hot. Does anyone have MEB success story related to rhabdo? Is it waiverable for a FC1/A physical should I be retained? 'Preciate it.

All, I am pursuing an interservice transfer into the Air Force to fly the KC-135. I was required to complete a FC1 exam and just received my DD-2808 stamped approved from AETC. On the form it states "FC1 pending successful completion of MFS-N". What exactly is the MFS-N? I can find info on the MFS but nothing on the "-N" part. What is it, and where do I do this exam at? Lastly, is the MFS-N basically done enroute to the FTU? As I'm a rated pilot in the Navy, I will bypass UPT and proceed directly to flying the -135. Anyone have any idea if I need to finish it prior to switching to the Air Force or can I finish it after I switch? Thanks.

Does that sound like something that could be a potential disqualifier? My teeth are very temperature sensative. I only brush my teeth with warm water, too hot hurts, and too cold hurts. Thanks.

Situation: I am an HC-130J CSO who has been flying for 8 years. Recently I went to get corneal topography done as part of the workup for LASIK/PRK. During this they found abnormal corneal topography in my left eye. The optometrist said it shouldn’t affect my vision but it is DQ for surgery, no big deal, but the flight doc called me the next day saying I am now DNIF pending a waiver. Vision details: my current RX is Left (S -1.50, C -1.00, A 170) right (S -1.25, C -1.25, A 013) I see 20/15 corrected in both eyes, perfect depth perception and color vision. I show no symptoms of any other eye issues. Question: how good are my odds at a waiver here? The flight doc sent th…

Does the FAA have access to a pilot's Air Force medical records? I know the database for waivers and such is computerized now...does the FAA have access to that database without the member's consent?

Hey all, Let me start off by saying that I did use the search function looking for an answer to my question, but did not find anything. Most people seem to ask if they can get a waiver for the their FC1 now that they are off their SSRI (anti-anxiety medication). What I want to know is - is it possible to get my FC1 (through a waiver I’m sure) if I am currently on an SSRI and plan on staying on it? Last year I started dealing with some anxiety that was affecting me enough that I decided to see a medical professional. They put me on an SSRI. A year later, I am doing much better. I would like to stay on this medication if possible. I read up on some regs, and…

My coworkers and I were celebrating after a successful month at work. On a empty stomach, I had one to many drinks and got kicked out the club for falling asleep. When my co-workers found me outside sitting down against the wall, they tried to wake me up. I murmured a few words and was unresponsive after that. They ended up calling the ambulance for precautionary reasons and took me to the hospital. I woke up 4 hours later and went home. Now the question is, on my medical/hospital record its states "Acute Intoxication". I wanted to know if that is disqualifying for a USAF Pilot slot? I'm currently assembling my package for the next civilian rated board. -No Medical H…

Throwaway account for obvious reasons. I'm a pilot not too long out of my B-course and have been operational for less than a year. I recently developed some respiratory issues that I noticed during regular exercise. I went offline to see a civilian doctor who thinks that it's either some sort of Vocal Cord Dysfunction (not what it sounds like...similar to asthma in concept but symptoms present differently) OR some sort of laryngospasm issue. All of it is exercise induced. It's by no means life threatening but something that is very uncomfortable and I'd like to get treated without paying cash and avoiding the whole permanent DNIF thing. I'm wondering if I do go the s…

Is a slight spinal curve DQin? I forget what it is called, but in middle school they said I had a slight curve. Scoliosis I think it is called. Anyways, It never gave me any problems. [ 05. July 2004, 15:07: Message edited by: Swigs ]

Hello, I was disqualified during my Class I Flight Screening after selection, and I'm currently applying for a Class III now to try and be an ABM. I understand that some conditions are permanently disqualifying from rated positions, but I have no idea if mine is (esophoria). Any idea where I can find out if I can even apply again? I've tried calling AFPC/AETC, and the base that performed the physical, but I haven't gotten much apart from the issue that DQ'd me the first time. If anyone has any info, thank you!

About two months ago I got into a pretty minor car accident, But have been having a bit of back pain. It doesn't prevent me from being active but does put me in a bit of pain. I've been afraid to get it fully checked out due to fear it could DQ me. Is there anyway if this turns out to be chronic to still pilot? And if it's easily treatable/Goes away how would that effect my chances?

Background; I got back from a mission and on the third day of my crew rest I was in the ER, discovering I had a kidney stone. I tried to pass it for 3 weeks but wasn't able to, so they went in and got it. However, during the pre-op CT scan, they informed me that I have "multiple stones in each kidney." They (Urologists at a nearby Army hosp) obviuosly needed more tests to be done but I had to wait a month to recover. During this time I did my research and found the Waiver Guide on Brooks web page. I gave a copy to the docs so they knew what tests to do for my waiver request. Present; I have completed all of the tests needed for waiver submission. Here's the interesti…

I am a civilian OTS applicant for Fy19ot3. I have a flight physical schedule for early next month. The other day after my annual dental exam my X-ray found that a root canal I had done a few years ago has failed and I was referred to an endodonist, with which I now have a consult set up for next week. The tooth has not bothered me at all. Since getting the root canal repair is a two step month long process, I will be going to my flight physical prior to the root canal repair, but after the initial consult. What affect will this have on my physical? Will it just not get certified until the repair has been completed, or will it be more extensive? I may not have the repair p…

Hey all, couldn't really find anything much on this. Is any amount of cauliflower ear DQ for pilots? Does it matter at all unless it affects hearing? Been training jiu-jitsu and wondering if i need to start using ear protection for this reason. Thanks!

Flight Doc, I've read some of your other posts on allergies, but am having a hard time determining whether or not I will be DQ'd or waivered. I've had seasonal allergies since I was a child. I've gotten prescriptions and even did allergy shots for a few years. I've been allergy and prescription free for about 8 years now (I'm 24). I can cut grass, play softball in Spring etc. with no problems. I started the allergy shot routine after age 12, but I'm pretty sure my first visit to the doctor about my allergies occurred before age 12. Would I be waiverable? Otherwise, I have perfect vision and no history of any other medical problems. I'm hoping this one thin…

I just completed my IFC1 exam and was DQ'd due to cycloplegic refractive error. Everything else was fine and was approved for FC1A, flight med said they'd send up a waiver request. My cycloplegic refractive error is -4.00 in both eyes and my vision correctable to 20/15 in both eyes. Does anyone think my waiver has a possibility of getting approved?

If you have fluctuating A1C levels with the highest being 5.7, that technically puts you right at the bottom of "pre-diabetic" range. Most doctors would say, hey you need to monitor that and change diet etc to lower that value before you get closer to actual diabetic range. I also think the FAA requires you to fill out a special form with your AME if you are in the pre-diabetic range. Are there any Air Force specific requirements, further testing, or waivers needed if you are in the pre-diabetic range (but require no medicine and are not experiencing any associated symptoms)? The waiver guide has a huge discussion on pre-diabetes but doesn't say anything specifi…

Doc, Is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) a DQ condition for pilots?

I am a traditional reservist and coming up on my annual PHA. The med group did a search for my previous Tricare authorizations/referrals and based on that, it sounds like they want me to sign release forms so they can access those medical records from my civilian doctors. I have seen several different types of doctors for varying issues over the past year, but not diagnosed with anything, so I don't have anything to hide; however, it concerns me to just sign blanket waivers for these records. One reason is I know how ridiculously long it takes for them to request the records, receive them, look them over, send to HQ to look them over, realize there is a required test t…

Thanks for reading! I am an active duty Marine Special Operations Officer with Marine Special Operations Command. I recently hit the lottery and got hired by an Air National Guard unit to go to flight school and fly jets for them. The day before my flight physical Wright Patterson called to let me know I can't do the physical because I have a back surgery on my record. In 2011 I was wounded twice in Afghanistan and had some minor surgeries to recover in the coming years, and one was a micro-discectomy L5-S1 and was back to full duty two months later. I have done over two years of operations since the minor back surgery and multiple training and combat deploym…

Does anyone here have experience with dry eye and getting your pilot physical at Wright Patterson? I've got symptoms of dry eye that are unconfirmed by a doctor, mainly that I just have to use eye drops after waking up because my eyes are dry, or after hours looking at a bright computer screen in low humidity. I have my physical scheduled in a few months, and I want to tackle this so it has the least chance of causing me to get DQed. I've read the Air Force Waiver guide on dry eye and it offers a grading system for which grade 1 seems to be hardly an issue, but grade 2+ is unwaiverable for FC1. It doesn't offer a ton of guidance on allowable treatment. Since my sympt…