Aviation Medicine

Hi all, I am considering once I graduate from graduate school pursuing a pilot slot. I have a rather unique and personal medical question and would appreciate if any flight surgeons would be willing to shoot me a message. Thanks, StressedOutGradStudent

I've been asking around..sort of a back of the envelope survey. Any of the medics have an opinion on whether Gamma Globulin might be protective long term against the Cov-19 virus? Those I have asked "seem" to have avoided it so far. Strictly anecdotal.

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…

A couple of years ago I developed a sensitivity to gluten. The symptoms aren't severe, just an upset stomach and a lot of bloating after eating. Ever since than I've been on a gluten free diet. (Never diagnosed with a gluten intolerance but Celiac did come up negative). After looking through the Wavier guide https://www.wpafb.af.mil/Portals/60/documents/711/usafsam/USAF-Waiver-Guide-200513.pdf it mentions that Celiac is an immediate no but only glazes over the topic of a gluten intolerance. Being a pilot in the air force is my dream so I figured I would ask you guys instead of a recruiter right away since flying is what you specialize in. Would something…

I have questions about a mild thoracic scoliosis c-curve that I have. It formed when I was a preteen but it's never affected me in any way. I've been cleared by a doctor to play hockey, baseball, race BMX and skateboard. I have no pain. I've seen a Chiropractor who has given civilian clearance to many who enlist but she's never worked with a pilot candidate before. I've also been seen by an Army doctor and was told my curve is fine to enlist. It's under 30 degrees but in the low 20s. My Chiropractor recommends I see her and a physical therapist and we can work to reduce it (will be doing so either way). Can this effect me getting a pilot slot and not passing the flying ph…

Anyone else having extremely long wait times to have a 2992 signed by the NGB SG ? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

I am looking for some information about the waiver process. I was hired by an Air Force Reserve unit and DQ and was DQ at MEPS for a history of chondromalacia. Passed everything at MEPS and all the info was sent on for the flight physical which was denied. Is there a way to see why I was denied the flight physical beyond the basic "Because of MEPS Chondromalacia DQ" that I am hearing from my recruiter? I would like to know what the specific concern is or if there is a piece of information they want to see or if it's just a hard no. Any recruiters know if such info exists or can be requested?

I had a single episode of atrial fibrillation earlier this year that was caused by low magnesium and dehydration. Labs and ekg confirmed that a-fib went away, and I had low magnesium. I was on medication for a month, but was taken off under the direction of my cardiologist. I otherwise have a healthy heart, as confirmed by an ultrasound of my heart. I haven't had an episode since, and I just go back for a checkup in about a month. I know I'll have to disclose it to the FAA, but would the AF look at this physical? Any advice for moving forward would be greatly appreciated. P.S. I already messaged stuckindayton, and he said he wasn't experienced in it.

Good Evening! This week I received the unfortunate news that I got DQ’d for Hearing Loss, History of Cholesteatoma (rare ear disease for those interested) and History of Chronic Back Pain. Now I’m not one to give up that quickly so for those of you interested or willing to help out I’ll give a quick background on my situation. Last October I was picked up for a pilot slot in a heavy unit flying KC-135’s. After submitting a lot of paper work for the known medical issues above, I was finally accepted to MEPs. While at MEP’s I was unable to pass the hearing test (barely) and was DQ’d for the same 3 things, but with the option for a waiver. So I Immediately scheduled an ap…

I let my Flying Class II physical lapse (I'm in a non-flying/no fly pay job, currently). How many years can I go without a Class II exam before I have to do a Class I or initial to get back to flight status? IOW how many years beyond expiration before I have to jump thru hoops?

Hey all. I was picked up by a guard unit pre-covid. I am MEPS complete no waivers or anything needed and scheduled for FC1 next month. In my glorious stupidity I was playing basketball with a couple friends and messed up my ankle pretty bad. Had an MRI and doc said I need surgery... Torn ligaments, but he says he can have me back running and cutting in 4 months fully cleared. Yes I am communicating with my unit, but just wanted to get some advice from ya'll. Anyone have any knowledge or experience if I will require a re-check at MEPS or once I'm healed go to wright patt and get the sign off there? Second if I do have to go back to MEPS is the wait time 6 months or can I g…

I went through IFC-1 at WP more than a year ago with dry eye that did not need a waiver. Currently a few months out from EAD and reporting for UPT. I am wondering if punctal plugs are allowed to alleviate dry eye symptoms or if I would run into issues with flight medicine after reporting to UPT? Thanks for any help in advance!

Question for those of you retiring soon, is there a difference between getting any health medical paperwork while deployed vs. home station, in regards to later getting out and making your case for disability? Does it carry more weight since it’s in the AOR? Thanks

Does anyone have the standards for bloodwork at fc1? Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

Hi Everyone, I am looking for advice or others experiences if they have ever been DQ'd from WP for their IFC1. And I'm not talking about trying to get a waiver for unwaiverable conditions (ie. you don't like that you truly have it but you still want to fly) ie. a technician or doctor didn't do the test correctly or didn't follow the procedures that they have. I've been told by numerous FS that I shouldn't be trying for an ETP because I don't have the condition that I was DQ'd for but shooting to appeal WP. Anything is appreciated.

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…

Obviously asking for a friend…anybody have experience with a CSF aka brain/spinal fluid leak? Specifically, if surgery is required what are the implications for continued aviation service?

Will I be able to get a waiver and keep my flying job with the Air Force with a protein s deficiency? I'm a loadmaster. After developing a DVT in January 2022 I was referred to a hematologist. I was diagnosed with a hereditary protein s deficiency. I've only ever had the one DVT in my leg. I was also on birth control at the time, which was said to definitely have been a contributing factor to developing the DVT. I was on a blood thinner for about 7 months. After seeing 3 different hematologists, one being a blood clotting specialist, it was determined that it was safe for me to discontinue the blood thinner even with being a flyer. My flight doctor is saying wi…

To preface: Normally, the pain due to Osgood-Schlatter disease goes away, at least for most of the population. I was a rare case where the pain persisted, and I resorted to having a bone excision done to remove the piece of bone that was causing the inflammation and pain. I've been pain since then and I was back to running and biking only a week after the surgery. I'm not sure if I technically even have Osgood-Schlatter disease anymore. Anyways, I was hoping to apply for a pilot slot during the next application cycle in March of 2023, but looks like that's on hold for now. I just got back from my MEPS physical and was told I'd need a waiver for Osgood-Schlatter …

Weight Loss Medication.pdfWWeight Loss Medication.pdfeight Loss Medication.pdfWeight Loss Medication.pdf The latest FAA guidelines for using Ozempic for weight loss. Weight Loss Management WORKSHEET.pdf Weight_loss_management_dispo_table.pdf

Anyone know anyone that had an intercostal strain when they passed through the centrifuge? I passed no issues but curious regarding timelines and if they went DNIF. I don't hit the flight line again for 5 weeks so I'm just currently taking it easy thinking it'll heal itself.

Need a class 2 for potential job. AME initially said I was good to go but then FAA said I'll need waiver (SI) for my eye issue. Had waiver for it in the AF for last 8 years flying. Documentation showing its stable not progressing and not requiring any treatment or meds. I've seen anywhere from a couple weeks to many months. Anyone have experience with the process lately? Currently waiting on a LETTER from FAA to start the process. Also, the new color vision test is a bitch.

My daughter is a Loadmaster and was previously on flying status. She had an issue where she passed out due to poor nutrition/dehydration, etc. she went to WPAFB and did the standard tests there to try and get her back to flying. During the tilt-table she passed out again. A total of 2 times in her life, last one was 18 months ago. She has an FAA 1st class medical and has been working on her commercial/CFI over the last 8 months with no issues. Has anyone heard of a waiver being approved for POTS, or how long the process typically takes. We haven’t seen anything related to POTS in the waiver guide TIA

Gentlemen, is there a USAF flight doc that could DM me? I have a couple questions I need to run by you. Current flyer