Aviation Medicine

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…

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…

Ok so here is a good question for all you MDs on here... pretty sure this hasn't been asked before in previous threads ha. I was flipping through the AFI 48-123 today, when I came across A4.23.1.16 that states "All symptomatic congenital abnormalities of the reproductive system." My situation is pretty unique... I was born with no uterus at all... not even any uterus remnants or tissue that the MRI showed. It has never caused any trouble for me, I can run, do weights, lots of strenuous ranch work, etc without any problems whatsoever. You would think the Air Force would actually like this since there is no chance of me getting pregnant while on active duty, and since …

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…

Looking at rushing ANG squadrons or doing AFRES "Civil Path to Wings" once I finish my degree. I had weird palpitations at night and went to a cardiologist to get it checked out, who was adamant that I had severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea and referred me to an ENT to do a sleep study. In the meantime I did a holter that showed some scattered PAC's and some runs of AVNRT SVT that had no clear trigger and weren't solely at night. I did the sleep study which showed an AHI of 9.5, "mild" OSA, and the tech also wanted to diagnose me with restless leg syndrome but it's never bugged me and I don't want to take benzos. DoDi 6130.03 (the MEPS manual) says that Current…

Does anyone know the process for prior enlisted? Do we still have to go to MEPS even though we had to when we enlisted? Does the FC1 staff just take our medical history from when we enlisted? If there are any enlisted guys on here who went through the process or if anyone knows that would he great.

If you have any questions about whether you can (or should) take a dietary supplement, do two things first: Read about the supplement here--Human Performance Resource Center. This is a DOD-wide resource for legality, Talk to your Doctor and the installation Health and Wellness Center (HAWC). For flyers especially, military personnel have different standards beyond the FDA/USDA. Get the approval first.

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

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

what are the legal requirements concerning immunizations? i.e. can your legally decline immunization when you commission?

Dudes, more of my story to come, but if you are an ANG part timer and get sick or injured, know the regs. The leadership doesn't know them, and there is a lot of help out there for you. My story cannot be told for a bit, some of you know it, but I ended up doing pretty good. Your peers and your subordinates probably don't know this info, most of the pilots at my base don't know it. See attached if you are sick or injured while on duty status or your illness can be tracked back to duty status. Sorry, it was made in pages on a mac. This should be posted in every ANG/AFRC units CC's office. Outline2.pages

Hi all, Headed to Wright Patt for my FC1 soon. Can anyone give clarity on what the flight doc looks for when you're asked to perform the Valsalva? I know they look for movement of the tympanic membrane/eardrum but I was hoping to find more clarity on this. I have some scarring my on eardrums from childhood ear infections that otherwise do not affect my hearing or ability to equalize. The Valsalva in particular allows me to clear my ears, though I only hear the "pop" in my left ear. I had a civilian ENT observe this as well and they were able to verify seeing movement in the left ear drum but not the right. I have much better success clearing both ears with…

Anyone know if Omeprazole, the generic Prilosec, is waiverable. Thanks.

An 18 year old high school graduate is interested in enlisting in the Air National Guard. Recruiter says that since he answered that he has seen a mental health counselor for depression, that he is ineligible for service until 3 years since seeing the counselor. Reviewing the Air Force Waiver Guide, I'm finding different information than what the recruiter conveyed. Additionally, I'm not sure what the appropriate "Flying Class" is for this particular individual. Page 567 shows Table 1: Waiver potential for mood disorders. Said individual's goal is to be a Crew Chief. My main point of confusion is these two notes under the table; The first of the…

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 …

I love medicine and aviation. Naturally I am pursuing med school and the flight surgeon path. I've read throughout the internet that Navy flight surgeons attend a portion of their UPT and spend a lot of time back seating jets, whereas neither of these roles are as common for AF flight surgeons. Can anyone on here chime in about this? Is any portion of a flight surgeon's flight time actually logged training? I am aware of the pilot physician program, but unfortunately that sounds like it's all but exclusively for pilots to transition to medicine rather than the other way around.

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?

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…

For any military pilots with first hand knowledge on this procedure, how long were you DNIF? And are you flying in an ejection seat community?

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…

Hi! My name is Bonne, I am a 16 year old dutch highschool student that dreams about being an air force pilot (F16) since i can walk, because i live close to an airbase. Since i am 12 I dream about becoming a F35 pilot on the other hand. Though after doing some research, things can get crazy along the way... But in order to get there i first need to apply and be accepted. Physically i am great, just a small thing with my eyes, I wear glasses, my left eye needs +3.25 and my right needs +0.5. Can i still get accepted? And if not, can I after i get a lazertreatment? I'm worried about my chance to get my absolute dreamjob, so if you can, please help me out!…

Is there any way in the world Intacs can be waivered? 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 …

Poland’s syndrome (Brachymesophalangeal triphalangy type), a congenital deformity consisting of ipsilateral absence of the pectoralis major muscle and in some cases syndactyly. My brother has the above condition. He was able to attain an FAA Class 1 flying physical but is required to get a 1,000 test done every year to renew it. It's a long shot...but is that wavierable?

https://alert5.com/2024/12/09/are-elite-u-s-navy-pilots-suffering-brain-injuries/#more-100974 So in addition to the higher cancer rates, pulling lots of Gs can also give you TBI? Was a B-1 bubba so not an issue for me but just curious how many fighter types have seen this.