Aviation Medicine

I found this link and am a bit worried. I can see everything easiery with my eyes opened, sitting 36 inches from the screen in a dark room like they do with the actual test. When I close one eye it takes a second for my eyes to adjust then I can read the 80/90 lines fairly easily. The red ones are a little more difficult for me. Can anyone say whether this is easier/harder than the actual test? I got hired for a UPT slot with a guard unit and am taking my FC1 in a couple weeks and am worried about this portion of it. Thanks to everyone!

Going for my FC1 in a couple weeks, medical office requested hospital records from a concussion I got in 2002, and another in 2004. Both were mild, loss of conciseness for a minute or two, hospital did the MRIs said there was no damage, rest for two weeks and I was good to go. Never have had any problems since the incidents. Anything to be worried about or just standard procedure for all head injuries? I searched for the regs online, all I found on head injuries is regs if you are already have had a flying physical. Any help is appreciated.

There are two common points of confusion with flight surgeons. The first is whether or not a military flight doc is a surgeon as understood by the definition of a particular type of physician who carries privileges to perform invasive surgery. The second is whether or not flight docs are pilots. Many junior enlisted members see the flight doc wearing the same uniform, patches, and rank as a pilot and assumes since they fly, they are also pilots. There is another forum post on the pilot physician program, but this makes up only a very small number of individuals. The majority of flight surgeons are: 1. Not surgeons 2. Not pilots The followup question typicall…

I have a quick question regarding Thalassemia Minor. It's a gene that I've received from my family that shows wacky blood levels. I produce more blood cells than normal. It does not affect me at all, just shows up in my blood and I've always had it. I was recently picked up for a pilot slot and I am waiting to see when I go to Brooks for my flying class I. I'm no longer anemic, I've been taking folic acid to raise my hemaglobin/hematocrit levels and they are normal. Is this condition waiverable? I'll provide more details if needed, but I can't stress enough how it does not affect me at all. Thanks.

I just recently discovered via research on Google that I have a Pilonidal cyst. I'm a current/qualified AF pilot and was wondering if anyone here has had or known of someone who successfully dealt with this issue and returned to fly? It looks like it's a pretty simple procedure. I just don't want to talk to a flight doc before I can get some feedback.Anyone? Here's what I found in AFI 48-123 regarding the issue. 6.44.20.9. Pilonidal cyst, if there is a history of inflammation or discharging sinus in the 2 years preceding examination. Surgery for pilonidal cyst or sinus is disqualifying until the wound is healed, there are no referable symptoms, and no further trea…

Hey all, I am about a couple weeks away from a flight physical and I got some paperwork with an interesting question. The question was "Have you ever or do you now have an undescended testicle". I haven't said anything yet because I had an undescended testicle but it was fixed when I was much younger. I was wondering a few things in this situation. 1. Would this condition disqualify me from flight? 2. Is this condition waiverable/ what are my chances for a waiver? 3. Worst case, there is about an inch long scar on my pubis, how in depth are the medical screens/ do you think they will find it under pubic hair if I don't say anything to the question. Th…

I am an air traffic controller and therefore have a class II medical. I have two CONUS TDYs coming up where I will need to fly across the country. I know it is somewhat ironic but I get very nervous when I fly . I am considering asking the flight doc for something to take the edge off for these flights. I can be DNIC during the TDY as I won't be doing any controlling. I'm just afraid that even being a nervous flier might have some negative impact on my medical. I decided to post this issue here to hopefully get some insight from fliers and medical professionals before deciding to actually bring this up with the flight doc or not. Thanks in advance for any info/opinions…

Can anyone talk to the assignment process once an 11F is medically disqualified from all flying duties but remains qualified for military service? Would the fighter porch remain ownership and determine assignments? Is conversion to a new AFSC possible? Which office would control the process and decide the outcome? Thanks for the help.

Hey I was diagnosed with Benign Familial Hematuria, aka Thin-Basement-Membrane Nephropathy, years ago (I'm 18). I was tested and found that my kidneys are completely healthy. It only shows up intermittently. As far as the rest of me goes, I am healthy, and I'm not affected in any other way. So, I just got back from my DODMERB for my ROTC scholarship, and my urine test came back with a positive on blood: 2+ and 8-12 RBC/HPF. I wasn't that surprised, but I found a list of conditions that are disqualifying for FC1, and "progressive or recurrent hematuria" is one of them. My question is, would my situation be considered disqualifying and, if it is, are there waivers ava…

I have learned that you must be off all ADD medication for at least 12 months to get into AFROTC much less Flight training. Is this true for Anxiety medications as well? I keep on emailing these different flight doc's but quite frankly they arent very helpful. They keep saying I need to first be evaluated. All im asking for is the policy relating to anxiety med's. Thanks

Please help, I am really stuck. In March I lifted something wrong and hurt my back. Since then, I have had sciatica down my right leg. I have been taking it easy and been doing physical therapy for 1.5 months, but I'm not seeing much improvement. I am able to walk, run, etc. with no issues. I feel my pain when I bend my lower back with my right leg straight (touch toes, etc), or when standing up after sitting. It is pretty intense pain. I was really hoping it would resolve on its own before OTS, but I'm losing faith and I'm not sure if I could endure all of OTS with this. I'm a Civ RPA select from 12OT03 and am supposed to leave for OTS in November. I already hav…

I am 26 and starting to consider trying to get a pilot slot with the ANG or AF Reserve. I hold a 4 year degree and vision is solid. My question comes to a history of ADD and Tourettes Syndrome. I recently went through a round of testing to get my medical for the FAA. Despite having been told I have ADD a review of all of my medical records revealed no diagnosis or mention of it. The neuropsychologist's conclusion and report indicates that I don't have ADD. So I don't see that as being an issue. My concern is the Tourette's. It was primarily a childhood illness. I haven't been on meds since 8th grade and have no effects from it today. It does not affect my flying and…

From AFI 48-123v2: A3.28.18. Current symptomatic plantar wart(s) (078.19) is disqualifying. Two questions: 1. What constitues symptomatic? 2. Is this issue waiverable? Thanks.

Couldn't find anything via search. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Polycystic Kidney Disease earlier this week. My kidney function is normal and my blood pressure is good, but I have over a dozen cysts in and on both kidneys. I discovered it during a BFM flight (pain) and it got worse a few days later, which led to the CT Scan and ultimate diagnosis. I'm also in the middle of a transfer from the Navy Reserve to AF. 1) Assuming the MRI/MRA is good and I have no signs of aneurysm or neural cysts, what are my odds of continuing to fly fighters? Has anyone gone through that waiver process here? How long does it take? 2) WRT the transfer - assuming NAMI approves a waiver, would A…

I don't fully understand tuberculosis but I know that when I was 8 I tested positive and it was visible in my left lung. I had to take medication for a year and my lung went from abnormal to normal. A year after ending medication I was re-examinde and was found normal. All of this documentation has been submitted at MEPS and DODMERB. I am PPQ but fear that this will hinder me at Brooks. What do I need to know about Tb and it's effects on my Class 1 physical. Am I going to lose my pilot slot?

All, So I am having hip replacement surgery in March and because of the surgery, I am going to meet a MEB. My question is; which do you think is financially smarter? - 30% medically retire as an O-5 with 15.5 years of service and starting at the age of 41 - Retire at 20 years as an O-5 and not start collecting the retirement until the age of 58 I already have my airline job and it would be nice to only have one job but I want to do what's financially smarter.

I am 18 years old and have just enlisted into the Air National Guard and hope to get a UPT slot through my unit, the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno but I believe I have whats called a macular pucker in my right eye, Ive been doing research and its basically the result of an old injury or surgery that has healed on the macular of the eye which can reduce the level of eyesight in that eye. Im not near sighted or far sighted, my left eye is 20/20 and so was my right eye until the injury, now its about 20/60 or so in my right eye. Glasses did only a little bit to improve the vision down to about 20/40 or possibly lower. Do i have a shot at becoming a fighter pilot with scarred …

I broke the scaphoid bone in my right wrist at the beginning of the summer requiring a permanent screw to be inserted to bring the bone back together. I am expected to make a full recovery and regain all motion in my wrist. Subsequently, I have an ANG UPT slot for FY06 (hopefully). I have been told that I will be needing a waiver, but I have no idea what to expect. Has anyone dealt with this type of injury before and how does the waiver process work for it? Thanks for any help you can give.

I have a few ROTC buddys who had PRK but were just DQd becasue of "corneal haze". After I get back from FT I am going to get PRK as well. What exactly is it? Is there anything I can do now to prevent it? is it common? I am hearing so many FC1 tragities it seems getting a slot is only half the battle

This is my first post, so hopefully I'm in the right place. I've had non-progressive IgA Nephropathy for the past eight years that I know of. The IgA Nephropathy has caused asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria in my urine and my protein/creatnine ratio was initially at 0.9 and it has fallen since, partly due to the ACE inhibitor I take once daily. From what I've read, the symptoms produced by my condition deem me disqualified for military service, however, a waiver can be obtainable. I've been weighing the decision of going into the Air Force for the past ten years or so. I'm 26, college grad, and I've earned my Private Pilot's License and Instrument rating sinc…

Just a curiostity question, But what happens if you get the Flu or something while in UPT and can't fly or go to class? I haven't started UPT yet but I am sick as a dog today and it made me think about this question.

If you guys had a head cold (sinus congestion, sore throat) and you could'nt clear one of your ears, how high wold you fly? Not at all, 5k, 10k, 18,000? thanks

Hello, I am hoping someone can ease some of my worries regarding my medical record. First of all I have researched this topic extensively and am aware that allergic rhinitis after age 12 is a DQ, however, I have somewhat of an extenuating circumstance. I am applying for guard units and work as a full time firefighter as a civilian. Common practice in the fire service is to get a prescription for Flonase as working the large wild land fires we have in California for weeks on end is a recipe for congestion. I explained this to my doctor in 2011 and in order to get the prescription he gave me the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis which I do not technically have (…

Anyone with some insight or experience with this one? I am currently in the process of getting my initial FC1 physical approved by Guard Bureau. I thought I finished the process last fall with out being concerned about anything being that the medical personel said I looked "good to go" and should be fine with getting approved. Weeks later, Guard Bureau sent my FC1 back to the base asking for further documentation on a fainting incident I had 1 1/2 years ago during a guard drill. Here's what happened during this incident: Basically, My buddy was telling me a detailed and gruesome story about his brother during break. I was over tired and I felt myself growing…

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 …