Aviation Medicine

So, I have been absent for quite a while, I might be needing jaw surgery, its not required but its a good idea to fix my overbite, the official name of the surgery is Bi-Sagital Split Osteotomy Is this gonna cause trouble later when attempting to get a pilot or Nav slot? Thanks

"I've heard about them"..."not sure if they exist"..."I've heard a rumor"..."only if you were born on a Thursday, then you can get one". :confused: I have come back to these comments time and time again when thinking about this subject. As a highly determined applicant, the word "waiver" was music to my ears (course all of these questions popped into my head at the same time). Anyone else in the same boat as me? I appreciate any replys: How hard is it to obtain a moral waiver? waivers in general? Can you personally participate in the efforts to obtain a waiver, or are you completely out of the loop? Any sources out there that might explain the waiver…

The recent Germanwings crash has stirred a lot of discussion on several topics: 1. Importance of having more than one person in cockpit at all times 2. Reporting mechanisms for mental and medical health from all sources of medical care 3. How to address depression and mental health disorders in pilots I have read quite a few blogs and editorials suggesting there is no room for depression or mental health issues in anyone allowed in a cockpit. My personal opinion is that this is the wrong direction to go. There needs to be a way for pilots who are depressed to get back in the cockpit, a pragmatic rational approach is preferred to a 'zero tolerance' on…

I have kind of low gum lines in my mouth. When I had braces my orthodontist said I should get gingival augmentation to build my gums up. I never got it done. My gums don't seem to be receeding beyond their current level. They are kind of freakishly low though. Should I get the augmentation just to be safe?

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'm looking for some advice on what to do in this situation. I'm a civilian pilot with a first class medical who will be applying to the guard/reserve in about a year. Starting back as far as I can remember I would get sick an average of once a month or so (sometimes more, sometimes less) with stomach aches/intestinal pain lasting 1-3 hours. I chalked it up to a weak system and didn't make any changes. Doc said I might have "IBS". I had some tests done early on in life and they came back negative (including Celiac). Around last March it began to get much worse. I was getting stomach achs an average of twice/week. My Dad has these exact same symptoms and once he stoppe…

Anybody have experience with gout and their FC1? And what that looks like post AF in the civilian flying world? Asking for a friend of course.

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.

Hey, I was just wondering if finasteride or minoxidil is banned in military aviation? I am going to apply into Air Force.

I read back a way and I see that pilots are not allowed to use Propecia. Is Rogaine allowed? Are hair transplants allowed? P.S. Why is Propecia not permitted?

I searched. Apparently no one else wanted to fess up. For the past six or so months, I periodically have some kind of crap around my tonsils. I've gotten to where I can hack it up after a while, sometimes as one big chunk--little bigger than a pencil eraser, Skittle, or M&M--or sometimes as little chucks. Disgusted yet? Today I hacked up one and took a whiff of it. Lawdy, lawd it was awful. Bad breath x3. I don't have bad breath according to "trusted friends;" regardless, I don't like this junk back there. Anyone else had this? Reckon' having my tonsils extracted will help?

Howdy Everybody! I'm an 06OT05 pilot select with a foot problem. First, the medical background. I have a case of Hallux Limitus in my right big toe. Basically, I don't have the range-of-motion to bend my toe beyond 20 degrees or so. Due to this I cannot run very fast if at all; basically I "shuffle" more than I run because of my toe. I cannot "shuffle" at the pace required for 1.5-mile run that is part of the PFT. There are two treatments available; an orthotic or a cheilectomy. The orthotic, a non-surgical option, is already on order. It may allow me to run at a pace that may meet the Air Force PFT standards. The orthotic will not, however, heal my Hall…

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

My question is simple. I know that having migraines disqualifies you for a pilot position, but I also read that if you have not had a migraine in over a year you can be considered for a waiver. Is this true and have any of you heard of someone receiving a waiver although they have had migraines in the past? If anyone has any info about migraines and waivers or knows anyone how has info about migraines and waivers please let me know. Thanks for your help!

I just got notified today that I was Permanently DQ'd for a pilot slot from Unsponsored AFRC. My recruiter sent up my documents with passing MEPS physical besides hearing and 4 outside audiograms showing 35db @500hz and MRI showing normal. Rest of my hearing is normal 5-10db across all frequencies. ENTs cant figure out why I have hearing loss. Anyways recruiter says that Surgeon General denied my waiver and that this is end of the road. The thing is, I don't remember signing any waiver documents like I have in the past for a shoulder surgery, also it was a really short turn around than before. Can it really go straight to Surgeon General without a waiver? Maybe I am…

Please only respond the baseops way, straight and to the point Passed MEPS physical but my right ear was borderline on the max decibel level. Scheduled for fc1 in December. My question is if I am 'slightly' over on the decibel level is that a waiverable scenario or auto DQ? Any previous experience or flight doc knowledge would be more than appreciated.

Hello I am currently a loadmaster and have a hearing waiver until 06 for a class three flight physical. I am applying for a nav slot and need a class two. Will the waiver for the class three slide over or will a new workup have to be done? Can I get a waiver for the class two? Can anyone give me some insight? Thanks

Hello all, I have a heart murmur that's due to moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation. I did not have to request a waiver to get my class I FAA flight physical. It's an asymptomatic condition that does not require treatment. Is that condition waiverable to be a pilot? Is a waiver even needed? Thanks. Alex

Hey guys, long time viewer, first time poster. I am a pretty small guy around 5'3", and I'm just worried this will affect me when I go for a pilot slot. I'm about to be enrolled in ROTC so I know a have a couple years, but I really don't think I'm going to grow that much b/t now and then. I am just curious if any of you know anyone this short and if they have had any problems. Thanks guys

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…

Well I just got word on my flight physical and the doc told me I need to get my hemoglobin redone because it was "a little low." I remember the doc that did my physical saying it was a bit low, but OK and it was probably due to stress/lack of sleep...both of which are probably true. Well I am to do it again next week and it will probably be one of the most sleepless and stressful weeks of my college career because I am a slacker and have to finish my senior project in a few days. What can I do other than sleeping and eating right to ensure that I pass with flying colors?

Question, I have a small hemmoroid that i can't seem to shake. I have been using cream, and i dont even have any dicomfort, but it is still there. Are hemmoroids dq for flying or are they ok. I've heard they are dq and am worried that something as minute as this might get me? Thanks

Flight Doc, I'm not sure if I have a hernia or what, but I've had an ongoing soreness and slight swelling in my groin area (between my right leg and bellybutton) for a week now. This started after lifting some heavy boxes. Could I have a hernia or what? I'm worried about going to the flight doc because I don't know how long it would take to come off DNIF for a hernia repair surgery if I do have one. If I don't decide to go in to the doc, can I fly with it or will I end up causing something more serious? dude1

I was just told I have a herniated disc in my back that may require surgery. What kind of problems can this create for me in passing my class 1 physical?

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…