Aviation Medicine

If a rated fellow were to have an undiagnosed pre-patella bursa (bursitis with retinaculum damage and potential arthritis) what would this member be looking at in terms of medical restrictions? Is this a permanently DNIF situation?

Back in 2018, I was medically DQ'd for a cornea thinning issue for RPA. Long story short, I've since started working towards my PPL and as of current, in the final stages of getting a loan so I am committed to civilian flying however, maybe years later down the line, would I be able to reapply for Pilot in the USAF through OTS? Part of me still longs to fly for the USAF which is partly why I'm getting biannual checkups on my condition to establish some level of recorded medical history but I understand the odds are still stacked against me. I just want to know if I should just leave the dream of flying for the USAF and wholly commit to flying on the civilian …

So I'm trying to enlist in the Air Force so that I can attend the Defense Language Institute. I just graduated from college and am more interested in learning a new language and possibly going to OTS later. I've passed everything except that last August I passed a kidney stone. I have retained stones in my parenchyema. I knew the MEPS would disqualify me and that a waiver would be required. I found this: https://www.brooks.af.mil/web/consult_servi...nal%20Colic.htm It says that retained stones are waiverable providing conditions are met. I believe I meet those conditions but understand that I should see an Air Force urologist. The recruiter came back and said the …

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!

Hello everyone, I received a secondary (explanations below) FC1-eye exam on April 4th of this year. The information was eventually submitted to Texas for review on July 27th and I've been waiting patiently ever since which seems to be a longer than normal time from my research. A little backstory: I'm a civilian that began the OTS route close to, or over 2 years ago. I was selected pilot after my second round of selection / interviews and DQ'd after my left eye did not fall within waiver-able limits (I had a -3.5 correction when the limit is -3 if I remember correctly). I pushed for a re-test and both eyes fell well within the waiver-able limits. The rec…

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…

can you get DQ at brooks if you have a scar on your retina?

Hello all, I’m set to retire next year and I was curious about disability claims, and how to properly document any ailments. Is there such a thing as a retirement physical? Is it different from my annual PHA? Hopefully I can get a more in depth physical so I can get my health issues on paper. If this is a thing, how far ahead of my retirement date should I schedule said physical? If it makes any difference, I am in the reserves. thanks for your input!

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.

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

Edited for CYA. Good advice though, read and heeded.

Back in May when I had my FC1 the flight surgeon told me that I have a right bundle branch blockage after reviewing the EKG. However, she said it was nothing to worry about and my physical was approved with no waivers or hold ups. I'm wondering if I have anything to worry about when I go to Brooks for my Medical Flight Screening following OTS.

Hello, I was wondering what the requirement was for AF RPA Pilots and the depth perception test. Is it the same standards as any other pilot position? Reason I asked is I had a hard time on the circle depth perception test at prescreening and wanted to know if it's waiverable or if a different test is adminstered at Wright. I have done other depth perception tests online and have done just fine on all of them. Thanks!

I have not seen any information about Scleral Lacerations anywhere. My case: I was 3 years old when a piece of glass broke in front of me and a small piece chipped off and cut the white part of of my left my eye. It was a very small, 3mm cut, occurred about a half centimeter from the limbus. I had surgery to repair the cut and never had any issues since (now 22 years later). I was cleared through MEPS and had no issues with depth perception, color vision, or anything other than being about 20/40 (correctable to 20/20) in that eye (right eye is 20/20 uncorrected). It was not easy getting documentation from this incident but forunately I was able to retrieve a post op…

Hello so I have been doing some research for months now but it seems like I keep getting different answers everywhere. I was diagnosed with scoliosis recently and its 22 degrees Thoracic and 18 degrees Lumbar... so do I have any chance at a waiver?

Dear Flight Doc, I just came from the chiropractor with a diagnosis of slight Scoliosis. The curvature is not really visible but you need to be a professional to see it. The doctor saw it from the front view X-Ray, and also added side view X-Ray is good, the spine looks in good shape... I haven't been flying for 3 years (in civilian of course) and I know that your back is a big deal when flying fighters. The doctor said he will be able to straighten it with exercises and some therapy. But I am wondering, if one day I go thru UPT medicals, should I mention about this at all? I am sure they are checking this... I would appreciate your comments on the situation. …

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

Hey everybody! I'm a pilot select who's hopefully looking at June 26th for his OTS class. Finally, 10 months after selection , I've got my flight physical back from Wright-Patt. When I went in January, it was a single day: getting my eyes check out, teeth, hearing, all the fun stuff. Later, I was told there would be second part that I would return for. My recruiter wasn't very detailed but he told me it would be some cognitive tests at the building across the parking lot from the Flight Med Clinic. Fast forward to last week, I get that initial physical returned and am immediately told that I'm good to go for my June 26th class. When I voiced concerns about…

Searched to no avail... I've had on ongoing pain in my neck for the past couple weeks and I've been thinking about going to a chiropractor to try to get them to work it out. Is this something that I can get a referral from TRICARE for, and has anybody tried it?

Hello all, I have spoken with some of you on the board regarding the Exception to Policy Request Package process. I am a Civilian OTS Pilot Select Overview: I was dq’d following my IFC-1 due to only being outside the cycloplegic refractive error limit. I was able to pass every other vision test. I have taken the following months to research the process, seek multiple medical opinions and have compiled what myself and other qualified people feel to be a very convincing package. I have submitted my package to my recruiting office. Before it is sent up the chain, the commander would like to see an example of a previously submitted and approved package to use as a comp…

Hey all, In an accident 15 years ago I severed my left Achilles’ tendon, had the surgery to repair it and then took physical therapy to heal it. Range of motion in the severed leg/foot is 100% normal. So in short, does Achilles’ tendon surgery DQ someone from recieving a FC1 or FC2? I have been trying to go the guard route for awhile but am now applying for Active/Reserve service. Thanks!

What is the official stance on skin based stds like herpes and genital warts and flying? Are there any ramifications for promotion or career advancement from having an std?

The recruiter I'm working with submitted our SG Prescreen Waiver for a PDQ Relook about 60 days ago (this is for a guard slot). The PDQ was for minimal mitral valve prolapse in an echo I had done. I saw a cardiologist more recently, and there was no prolapse or leakage indicated in any of the valves. This report, a supporting letter from the cardiologist, and my entire medical history in the past 5 years were submitted in this waiver. My question isn't so much about the medical issue, but about how patient I should be, and how much I should or shouldn't pester my recruiter. If I were 24, this wouldn't be stressing me out so much, but I'm freshly 28, and feel the …

I've been told that I have shin splints, which are tiny stress fractures in your shins. I run almost everyday, and take ibuprofen when my legs are sore. It's not a problem on most days, but sometimes it can be painful after a hard workout. I have my FC1 in September. Does anyone know if this will be a problem?

Four months ago I seperated my shoulder playing football. The clavacle is still seperated (level 2/3 seperation), and i have gone to three different orothopaedic doctors and they all agree that my shoulder should heal without sugery, but the bone will stay out of place. Can I still pass the FC I with my shoulder in such a condition?