Aviation Medicine

I tried searching and I couldn't find anything on it but I was just curious if Type 1 or 2 diabetes is disqualifying for flying status in the AF. Thanks

In the FAA, a SODA stands for statement of demonstrated ability. It is granted when ones medical condition is technically disqualifying, but does not affect ones abilities to perform airman duties. Heres a link to more information about it if you are interested. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/app_process/general/appeals/soda/ In civilian aviation, I would be eligible for one of these. I was born with a smaller left hand (this is a very rare condition) where the fingers are all shorter than the ones on my right hand, and the middle knuckles are all missing (except for the thumb's). This, luckily, does not affec…

Greetings, I was passed my FC1 physical last April. I will commission this May and will be doing the Gold Bar program for a year then off to UPT. I was cleared for my eyes in the FC1, with the exception I have to wear glasses. However, its either in my head that I now realize I can't see perfect, or my eyesight is getting worst. Will I be able to request PRK/LASIK once AD? Or, am I in the clear if I passed the FC1 and they just waive something? -Thanks

I'm scheduled for an annual dental exam in a few days and just in time because i'm having pain in a back tooth, this tooth is however in an awkward spot on the roof of my mouth, and ive been told by a civilian dentist prior to service that to have it removed would leave a hole requiring some kind of surgery to heal, my question is that knowing this, is that kind of dental work something that can permanantely dnif you? ive read that you may need to apply for an exception to policy letter to continue flying, if no further treatment is necessary.

Hello all, Bit of an oddball question but I'm kind of desperate for answers. I've searched far and wide for some kind of official USAF policy on hydroceles without any luck. Can anybody point me in the direction of the most recent, "official" reg or is that kind of thing not publicly available? From sources whose accuracy I can not be sure of, I have heard that a "small" right hydrocele is not disqualifying. When I went to MEPS over the summer, the doctor there thumbed through a HUGE book and said that a right hydrocele smaller than the testicle is NOT a DQ, larger IS. He determined mine was much smaller and not a DQ however, I was DQ'ed for an inguinial hernia t…

I'm submitting a package for UFT (currently a C-130 Nav, trying to go RPA), and I'm trying to wrap my head around why my current FC1A does not fulfill the requirements of an FC2. Can anyone explain the differences between the two physicals? Common sense would suggest that a FC1A would be more restrictive than the FC2, but apparently not. Also, when I go in for my PHA, why is it so crazy to suggest they do a FC2 during the same visit?

Back in May, I commissioned as a CSO candidate and was supposed to start my training next week. This came following a roller coaster of medical testing and having to get approval. To make a long story short, I had a siezure following a head injury when I was a child which intitially DQ'ed me; however my Colonel contacted the SG who determined that due to the amount of time since the injury and the fact that I have had no problems since, I should be able to take the FC-1 physical. I took the physical and they told me I passed. Then last week I get a call saying that the SG wanted some more testing to be done before the physical was approved, which rendered my commission…

I’m currently a 20 year old Sra in the reserves at Charleston I am a crew chief on the C-17. I have five months left for I receive my bachelors in professional aeronautics. I hold a private pilot’s license with around 90 hours. I am going for my commission to become a pilot in the air force, air force reserve, or air guard whichever accepts me flying anything I can obtain I’m not trying to be picky just trying to get my foot in the door and I am fine flying anything that flies. I have great health with no problems but I do have the trait of sickle cell it is a trait and not the disease and it does not and has not ever affected me. This is common amongst African Americans.…

Hey guys, If I have monofixation disorder, what is the liklihood I could get a waiver to become a USAF Combat Systems Officer? I don't think I could pass that depth perception test and am just curious if they would waiver it or just disqualify me. If I can't would Navy NFO work? Thanks, George

So I live in P-cola stationed with the navy. I've been seeing the orthodontist at Eglin, which is an hour and a half drive away. I really don't mind the drive and I'm happy with the care provided, however there have been some issues. Today, I had an appointment that had been canceled on me before, so before I made the drive today, I called to make sure I was still good to go. I was told yes, so I proceeded on my way to Eglin. Well, as luck would have it, I got a call right as I was about to pull through the gate...my doctor needed to cancel my appointment...30 minutes prior to my appointment time. So, not only did it take an act of God to get off the flying sched…

Any flight docs on here that I could PM with an orthopedic questions? Thanks for the help.

Would acute Pericarditis symptoms (that have not come back in 7 years) immediately DNIF a person currently on flight status? My Dad was diagnosed and treated for Pericarditis recently and the symptoms sound very similar to something I had happen to me a long time ago. Thanks

Hello all, I have been doing research for a few months now, and I am now adamant about joining the ANG. I would like to apply as a civilian to a fighter squadron when they have a position available. I am currently a civilian flight instructor with 400 hours flight time and I hold a First Class FAA Medical Certificate. While conducting research, I have found that the military medical standards, especially for flight, are high. Back in 2008, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease after suffering from mild abdominal pain. I was put on Remicade treatment, and I still receive that every 2 months to keep the disease in remission. I consider myself fortunate, as the only side …

I recently had the opportunity to hear some some folks from AFMSA and AFMOA speak, plus Lt Gen Robb. He was really good at talking without actually saying anything. https://www.health.mil/About-MHS/Leadership-Biographies/Lt-Gen-Douglas-J-Robb A common sentiment was that if one service has an existing medical program or solution that does 95+% of what that service wants, but one or two of the other services has a program or solution that can perform 80+% for the whole DOD, the DOD MHS will push to adopt that 80% solution in the belief of interoperability and work to make it a 95% solution at a later date. The logic is that division and stovepiping capabilities, th…

Has anyone taken this stuff? Was on leave in Central America and experienced "travelers diarrhea". Cause unknown, most likely local water. In an effort to curtail my symptoms I took this stuff on a local doctors recommendation. You can get this at the local pharmacy and all it is is a set of probiotic vials w/ a set of pills. BL, do you think I am required to tell the flight doc I took it upon my return or no? It did work and I feel fine now. Thanks

Just wondering if anyone knows if this is disqualifying for a pilot? Long story short, don't think it is related to diabetes but I have tendency to get really shaky and break out in sweats. I have found that eating sugary foods helps quickly resolve the situation. Have not been diagnosed with it as I love what I do. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Anybody ever tried this? I'm at the Deid til Jan and am planning on hitting submit on my apps in the next two months. I separate next October. My current Class 1 expired in March. I'm 38. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Has anyone on here had any experience dealing with PVCs or PACs (heart rhythm ectopy) either from the flyer or flight medicine side of things?

I am just wondering if I have the vision standards needed for an initial Class 1 flight physical so I can go to UPT. I currently hold a USAF class 3 due to my AFSC (1c5x1d). I am currently an AGR so getting lasik/prk is something I am considering if I don't have the mins to get into a UPT slot. Below is my medical info. Also, are any of these standards waiverable??? Uncorrected Far Vision OD: 20/100, OS: 20/100 Uncorrected Near Vision OD 20/20, OS: 20/25 Corrected Near & Far Vision OS: 20/20, OD: 20/20 OD: -2.75 -0.25 x 110 OS: -3.50 DS If anyone has any answers I would really appreciate it.

My FC1 physical is coming up soon and I have to submit a 2807 detailing my medical history. I was wondering if all surgeries reported will need the surgery report to go along with it. I had my adenoids out when I was a child at 8 and can get the paperwork if necessary, but not in time for the physical. I was wondering if that would be something they would request a surgical report on or if I should even report it/ avoid it on the form. An additional piece of data is this is on my FAA- FC3 physical form. I am not sure how in depth the doc's look at that or if they just look to see I have my FC3 cert and move on.

Question for medical folks. I have been told and I have read (in newsletters from ARPC and the medical community) an unattributed saying which is repeated quite regularly such that no one questions it. That saying is "You must be in a military status to use the MTF." I do not believe this is correct nowadays. The reason is because I have Tricare Reserve Select regardless of my military status, something that was not possible before around 2005 or so. TRS is basically Tricare Standard and people on Tricare *can* use the MTF on a space-available basis. How is it determined if space is available? No one can tell me that either. Their go-to is that space is unavailable. …

I am enlisted ANG & hired for UPT by a reserve unit in another state. My travel date is this Sunday to go to Wright Patt. Obviously, my current unit is not going to sponsor me to go get my FC1, but I was informed today by my gaining reserve unit that I don't have to be on orders to obtain my flight physical. Does this seem accurate? This goes against what I've learned from the Air Force since I've been in. I'm just going to assume the unit knows what's correct, seeing as they have pilots working there now, and I am not one, but I want to avoid getting to Ohio and then being refused to be examined.

Little background on me: I am an AD Capt / Flight/CC with 90 PCSM, 93 Pilot AFOQT, 100 PFA, and #2/5 Strat from WG/CC for UFT application. I feel like all this would give me a good shot if I could just get an ETP. I've been working through the ETP process and wondered if anyone could give me some insight into how it works. I was prepping my package all last year and encountered some medical issues (diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, 2017). I found out through research that about 95% of AD pilots in the AF that were diagnosed with the same issue were waived. Requested a waiver, but was denied. Typical considering I'm an untrained asset. I began the E…

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…

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…