Aviation Medicine

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…

I am just wondering if I have the vision standards needed for an initial Class 1 flight physical so I can go to UPT. I currently hold a USAF class 3 due to my AFSC (1c5x1d). I am currently an AGR so getting lasik/prk is something I am considering if I don't have the mins to get into a UPT slot. Below is my medical info. Also, are any of these standards waiverable??? Uncorrected Far Vision OD: 20/100, OS: 20/100 Uncorrected Near Vision OD 20/20, OS: 20/25 Corrected Near & Far Vision OS: 20/20, OD: 20/20 OD: -2.75 -0.25 x 110 OS: -3.50 DS If anyone has any answers I would really appreciate it.

I'm currently assembling my package so I can submit it to the boards for a rated slot after I wrap up my final year in college. I currently DO need Lasik/PRK procedure done to be qualified for a pilot slot. Should I get the operation 6 months before I graduate or is it possible to get into OTS first and then have one of the Air Force doctors conduct the procedure? I been snooping around the web but found outdated information and answers regarding this topic. Best regards, Ryan

My FC1 physical is coming up soon and I have to submit a 2807 detailing my medical history. I was wondering if all surgeries reported will need the surgery report to go along with it. I had my adenoids out when I was a child at 8 and can get the paperwork if necessary, but not in time for the physical. I was wondering if that would be something they would request a surgical report on or if I should even report it/ avoid it on the form. An additional piece of data is this is on my FAA- FC3 physical form. I am not sure how in depth the doc's look at that or if they just look to see I have my FC3 cert and move on.

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?

Has anyone on here had any experience dealing with PVCs or PACs (heart rhythm ectopy) either from the flyer or flight medicine side of things?

Hey guys, first post here. Non-prior, selected by a guard fighter unit last month. Haven't even gotten to MEPS yet as my prescreen was denied "history of ITP" and now my waiver request was denied by the SG also (ironically for the same reason which doesn't say much). 10 yrs ago I was diagnosed with ITP (a blood disorder which causes blood clotting problems). A couple months later I had a laparoscopic splenectomy which is the typical way to treat this. Almost immediately my blood labs returned to normal and have been there ever since. No sicknesses or infections, health as a horse ever since. A history of ITP is disqualifying per the DODI 6130.03, but it is waiv…

I realize this is a huge shot in the dark, but I wanted to at least talk with some folks. I am 23, currently an Engineer (Mechanical Engineering degree) for a large Aerospace/Defense contractor. I love flying and currently have my PPL, working on my Instrument Rating as we speak. I am really considering making flying a career at this point. I have already confirmed I can get a first class medical (for civilian flying of course) I flew with a fella who flew F-100s in Vietnam and F-105s in ANG. He really recommended I look into ANG. The catch is I have asthma. I do take a preventative inhaler every day. I haven't had an "asthma attack" since I was 3 years old. I r…

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!

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.

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

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…

Alright I'm going insane here... My mom just sent me a file with my medical records and going through them, I found a doctors report from about 7 years ago that I had completely forgot about and made no mention of at MEPS. What happened: I was extremely dehydrated (nothing to drink for >12 hours), had not eaten anything for nearly 24 hours, and was laying in bed for around 8+ hours watching movies... My mom knocked on the door and I jumped up and got dizzy and fell over into a table and chairs. My mom made me go to the doctor just to make sure nothing was wrong. My doctor incorrectly labeled it a loss of consciousness (I remember hitting the table and chairs) and was "…

My flight doctor told me I am the only flyer in the AF with my type of autoimmune disorder. Actually, my autoimmune disorder has become so widespread that Congress was lobbied by an organization in California to fund research for a cure. Congress granted the request for funding. There is a medical center in San Francisco who can help. I was scheduled to go there but I had a TDY, training, and a subsequent PCS out of California prevent me from going. I am going to retire in 3 years and I wanted to know if I could request a PCS back to that area for treatment once I've been on station for 2 years minimum? I will not die without treatment. On a scale of 1 to 10 my …

Sorry if this is the wrong forum for this, or if it's been covered elsewhere (I did search), but I've been having loads of trouble simply getting my MEPS physical completed and was wondering if anyone had any advice. I went to MEPS initially in mid-November, and during my talk with the doc he said that since they were missing documents for my Lasik (they'd been sent, but not received, apparently), I'd need to return for a workup with a MEPS eye doc. I wasn't really looking forward to more time off work, long drives, and time spent at MEPS, but no big deal. Since then, however, my recruiter's requests for me to return to MEPS have been cancelled something like five ti…

Just wondering if anyone knows if this is disqualifying for a pilot? Long story short, don't think it is related to diabetes but I have tendency to get really shaky and break out in sweats. I have found that eating sugary foods helps quickly resolve the situation. Have not been diagnosed with it as I love what I do. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have been getting my push ups in and I developed a ganglion cyst (diagnosed) which has caused me pain in the pushup position. I've been able to continue doing a lower pushup count on my knuckles, but anytime my wrist is extended a certain way, I get pain. After the cortisone shot worked and faded, my PA recommended removal and said she does this all the time on military guys. The only healing is two weeks after for the incision. I'd like to do it, it's not urgent but I can't see a better time to do it than now before I go to OTS. Will this jeopardize my UPT pilot slot if I opt for removal? I've already passed the FC1 and MEPS, who would I go to to a…

Searched around and couldn't find a clear answer on this. What's the process like after completing the FC1/MFS? Does it still need to go to the GB for approval? If you leave Dayton with no waivers is it just waiting on signatures or is there still a chance to be DQ'd?

Hello! I'm a former Navy pilot who left active duty about 9 years ago, but I'd like to fly for the Air Force Reserves. 8 years ago I was (wrongly) prescribed antidepressants for less than 5 months and am now wondering if I will be disqualified. I have this letter (below) from my physician that states I did not have a mental disorder. Any thoughts on whether or not I'm screwed? No recurring symptoms or medical conditions. Many thanks!!! GoGoJuice "To Whom it May Concern: Approximately eight years ago, patient was prescribed an antidepressant (Effexor) for less than five months. At the time he was suffering from mild depression and anxiety, and was havin…

I was in an accident and given a run/walk waver which extends for about a year. shortly after I was given the waiver I was selected for promotion (6 months from now). the waiver covers through the period of the promotion date. my question is, can the promotion be held up until I am able to perform the PT test without any waivers or restrictions? I read through the fitness reg and could not find anything that is a clear go/no go. this is for the Air Force BTW and any help sure would be appreciated.

Hey guys. So here's the deal. I passed my FC1 with flying colors back in March and felt great. Started experiencing a chronic fatigue situation maybe around June and enlisted in August with the expectation that with some rest and a healthy lifestyle I could shake the fatigue situation off before heading to OTS in January. Well that hasn't happened so I've had to bump my OTS date back a couple months and now I'm under pressure to get it resolved. I've had some additional testing done and doctors can't find anything wrong with me but I feel like I got hit by a truck. Doctors have stated that it isn't really uncommon but often times it is not a diagnosable condition, and it …

This might be a very stupid question (as I hope it is). Would being born premature (7 weeks in my case, no health issues from it) be an issue for an FC1? The only reason I ask is because it's listed as part of my health history on a medical report. Hopefully I'm not about to open up a can of worms. Thanks in advance.

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!

Anyone have experience or know anyone that successfully contacted a Senator, Congressman or a Surgeon General and revered a decision after getting disqualified medically? I have H2 hearing (35db @ 500hz) in one ear, rest frequencies are perfect and mild chondromalacia in my shoulder which my surgeon said was caused by her doing my labrum repair surgery back from 07. Both of these conditions would not be a problem if I was already trained and still not an issue with FAA. I'm not expecting much, just wanted to make sure I exhausted all resources. Also would anyone know the best way to contact a surgeon general, specifically AFRC?

Will a Varicocel DQ me at MEPS or my Flight Physical? I am really concerned and thank you for your help in advance!