Aviation Medicine

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?

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 guys. So I’m a current rated C-17 pilot. I just had a contact exam and they upped my contact prescription to -3.0 power in both eyes. Said vision was 20/200 but easily corrected to 20/20 and no issues. My question is how does this usually play out if/when my eyes worsen from this point?? I read that -3.0 is the limit for pilots. Thanks in advance.

Looking for some flight doc advice for if this will be an issue for wright pat for a FC1. I received a spiral fracture to my left fibula, in JAN19. I have retained hardware (7 screws 1 plate a button on the inner side of the ankle with a titanium suture from the inner ankle to the outer side of the ankle called a "tight rope" for stability for healing). I am an Army Pilot and I know that there are differences between services, however I didn't require any medical waivers, and it healed perfectly and I have a 2992 in hand for resuming flight duties about 4 months after it happened. I would like to get the hardware removed, would keeping it in impact my…

Just got the memo that I got my FC1 scheduled. Working on getting all the items squared away that are required 5 business days upon receipt of the memo. This part is confusing me a bit. "If you have had an FAA exam (any class) within the past 36 months, you do not need to complete this step; please continue to step 4. FAA Class III medical/student pilot certificates are now valid for 5 years." I have a valid Class III FAA Medical right now, but its been more than 36 months since I received it. Do they just want me to sign up/register anyway. I'm assuming its so they can renew it at the end of the FC1 and not have to worry about it lapsing, even though I w…

Hello all I have a pilot slot with an AF Reserve unit, and I am currently processing a waiver with the Air Force Reserve Surgeon General. I have been told it is a waiverable issue, although sometimes doesn’t go through unfortunately, and this may be the case this time. My question is, do Air National Guard and AF Reserve both use different waiver approving authorities at the Surgeon General level? I was told, that both Reserve and Air National Guard use different waiver approving authorities (AF Reserve uses AF Reserve Surgeon General, and ANG uses State Air Surgeon) I am looking at the worst case scenario, in case it doesn’t go through, …

I’m leaving AD Army (non-aviation) for an AF ANG unit. I have a couple mild medical issues linked to rucking which could garner some disability. Are they worth claiming prior to FC1 and ANG service? I suspect claiming them would cause more trouble than they’re worth. Obviously the ANG slot is much more important to me than x amount of disability, but any input is appreciated.

I work in the healthcare field and my last TB skin test was positive, I went through all of the appropriate xrays and I am completely clear. I have never had any signs or symptoms. Is this going to be an issue at a physical? And do I need to do the Prophylactic treatment regimen? Thanks in advance for anyone that can help out. Taylor

I know this topic is in the “Aviation Medicine” category but I don’t really know where else to post. So I have been picked up for a guard unit and I am going to go to MEPS in the next few weeks. I am pretty healthy overall but when I took a look at my weight on a scale, I am about 3 lbs under the max for my height (max weight for my height is 180). I understand the AF says that you need to be at least 5 lbs under to join. I am not sure what my BMI is but I am relatively muscular, so I am guessing that is a contribution to my overall weight. In the scenario that you are either slightly under the max or over the max weight when you process through MEPS (say +\- 2l…

Hello all, I searched the PRK/LASIK thread and was unable to find an answer to this question as the reference I have is only 2 years old, but sorry if it has been asked before. I'm an Army guy and got LASIK in my right eye almost 5 years ago to get in standard for my Army flight physical. I am in the process of submitting applications to ANG/AFR units. I've seen the LASIK checklist with the required pre and post-op exams. I had post-op exams after I got my eye done, but the timeline was different the the Air Force's (if I remember it was 1, 2, and 3 months then I got the waiver, not 1, 3, 6, and 12 months). I can probably get a copy of all of the paperwork, but while…

recently took a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) at FCI because I was born a few weeks early. didn't pass - apparently my bronchial tubes are somewhat obstructed and all my measurables were 'below normal.' I've got no asthma history, no history of inhaler use, never smoked, have played sports all my life (including college football), recently ran a half marathon at a pretty good clip, and have never had any difficulty breathing. despite all of this, flight surgeon at FCI said the chances of my waiver getting approved for a below-normal PFT are 'iffy at best.' does anyone else have any history with poor PFT results? I'm getting a second PFT test in the…

Hey y'all. Got a situational question that probably doesn't have a right answer. I'm a civilian pilot, been applying/interviewing for fighters for about 2 years now. I've got spondylolysis (previous stress fracture in my back) that I'm pretty sure will hang me up medically. My understanding is that it's waiverable, but on a case by case basis, with the main focus being on the ejection seat. I don't want to give up the dream of fighters, but the Civil Path to Wings (CPW) application came around and I decided to apply. This would skip T-6s and go straight to T-1s, meaning my back may not be a problem becoming a pilot in the USAF. So, if anyone has experience gett…

Hey everyone! I'll start off with the essential "sorry if this post is incorrect I'm a new guy." I'm looking to get some answers I've been hard pressed to find on VA disability ratings and whether mine are passable or overall what needs to be done in my circumstance; as well as for anyone that has medical records accessible in the military system. Essentially, I was a former paratrooper in the Army. As is to be expected with paratrooping (and the infantry in general), your body gets rocked a bit, and I left the service with a 90% disability rating. With that, I'd like to say I'm still in excellent condition and am active; even leaving with a class 1 medical sta…

With MHS Genesis being rolled out about 6 months ago, will those of us that have already gone to MEPS before that be subject to some scrutiny regarding new medical records they can pull? Do they use MHS Genesis for FC1, when you arrive at OTS or UPT? Most information I can find involves people just going through MEPS.

Currently a reservist applying to both AD and NG/Reserve boards. As part of the AD process, my recruiter will have me go to MEPS. As a reservist, I was told if I get hired by a reserve unit, I can bypass MEPS entirely. Would paperwork/waivers required by MEPS complicate any accessions on the reserves side? I have deployed and gotten some minor injuries. Conversations with reserve flight docs say it wouldn't be a problem at their unit, I'm fit for duty. I'm worried that MEPS would be more strict about this, and would complicate my life. Can anyone in the know weigh in on this?

In applying for my FAA medical certification I found out that the TBI accident I had as an 8 year old would come back to haunt me (shocking, I know). I had internal bleeding from falling off my bike, and 1 seizure on the way to the hospital, but the bleeding stopped within 24 hrs and I made a full recover within a few weeks. No meds, no PT, no surgeries, nothing. Now, I got a letter from the FAA asking for an EEG, MRI, neuropsych eval, etc. - the whole nine yards - and after an initial neurology visit the neurologist believes there aren't any left over effects and that this should just be about crossing I's and dotting T's. On the military side, I've completed MEPS e…

Hi I’m not sure if this is the right place to post this but I have the opportunity to become part of a flight crew but I need to pass a class 3 flight physical but I don’t know if I can since I do have amblyopia but this is something I really want to do but I don’t want to waste my leaderships time by going through the process just to be told I can’t pass. Thank you all for listening

Can one take antibiotics for acne during UPT? How do I get them approved?

What happens to a military pilot who becomes pregnant? Is she immediately off flight status? How long is she at home after the baby is born?

Will taking Lamisil tabs DNIF you? Also, does the Air Force prescribe Lamisil to flyers? Thanks

So I'm headed to Brooks this summer and was curious if bunions are anything to be worried about? For my DODMERB I had to get a letter from a podiatrist saying I had no problems with any type of miliary footwear. This was just a letter, and not a waiver. Also, do you know if you can get DQ'd for having a bunionectomy? My bunion is moderate, but I'd prefer just to get it fixed and not have to worry aobut it. I have no pain or complications from it, other than it being an eyesore. Thanks.

Ok, last question haha. Well I had been DQ from AFROTC becuase I thought I had eczema. Turns out its not Eczema its Seborrhera. Is this still a DQing condition? Or can I get a wavier for it? Thanks for the help

Question for the "Docs" on here: When you find out that someone has an IgA deficiency what first comes to mind? Is this something that is really bad and makes you go "oh no" or just kind of mild and not that big of a deal from a medical professionals standpoint? Also, is this something that is disqualifying? Thanks!

I am/was leaving for the 09/07 bot class until I found out some devastating medical news last week. I have searched the Air Force Surgeon General's site and can't find what I need. I am going to be released from the class. I am a civilian with no prior involvement with the Air Force, but I did swear in and sign all the papers. When do they allow a person to reapply after a major surgery (involving the head)? And will they help pick up some of the cost if I still intend to go in? The surgery will remove an astrocytoma in the cerebellum. My recruiter hasn't been much help with the subject and I am kinda freaking out myself. If you can give me some feedback or direction …

Is rhinoplasty a disqualifying factor? If so, is there a waiver for it?