The Original AMEPilot with Dr. Hanker (still found below) has unfortunately ended. SCAUWG wants to extend a big. "Thank You" to Dr. Hanker for his invaluable contributions to this page.
Going Forward, this page will be devoted to those articles whose topics concern
Medical Information for Pilots.
Preface: (New Content Follows Preface}
Aviation Medical Examiner Information Links:
Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) portal (GO AME)
AME Seminar Schedule & Registration
AME Online Training Information
Regional Flight Surgeon Contact Info
Medical Certification Information
Sleep Apnea Information:
Let's Begin:
11/27/2024 How Business Aviation Pilots Are Staying Safe and Alert - "Piloting aircraft for long periods of time not only reduces concentration and reaction time – it can contribute to deadly accidents. If your business aviation operation doesn’t have a fatigue mitigation program, maybe it should. - Long-range aviation has leaped lightyears ahead in the century since “Lucky Lindy” completed his 33-hour solo slog from New York to Paris. With their super-efficient engines, GPS-based navigation and satellite-based connectivity, today’s ultra-long-range business jets can easily leapfrog the globe. - However, those aircraft capabilities still have to accommodate crew member flight fatigue. Sitting for hours, even in the most comfortable seat, can take a considerable toll on a pilot’s alertness. So why don’t flight departments pay more attention to the dangers of fatigue? - “The majority of long-distance business aviation flights aren’t..." Finish Reading Here.
11/27/2024 AIr Sickness: A Pilots Guide to AI-Powered Health - "On August 4, 1997, the United States Congress passed a funding bill; a mere 25 days later the implications of that act became apparent, and those in power realized they had made a dreadful mistake havinginitiated an existential disaster for humanity. - The referenced legislation was, of course, to empower Skynet to manage the North American Aerospace Defense Command, removing humans from decision-making. Skynet became self-aware and, recognizing humans were the single biggest threat to humans, launched a preemptive nuclear strike on Russia leading to global devastation.
For those not familiar, the above scenario was the basis for the Terminator series of movies and inspired widespread fear of artificial intelligence, AI. As computing became more widespread there were always those to present the downside or prophesize doom, from the now-famous IBM president who in 1943 said, “I think there is a world..." Read the treatise Here.
11/15/2024 BasicMed expansion - Federal law recognizes the safety of the program by and for GA pilots - From AOPA - "The expansion of BasicMed privileges included in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 is now in full effect as of November 12. - Under the new law signed May 16, pilots may now use BasicMed privileges to fly aircraft weighing up to 12,500 pounds and certified to carry up to seven occupants. The previous aircraft weight limitation was 6,000 pounds, with certification for up to six occupants. - Full Story Here.
11/07/2024 AME Minute: Why did the FAA develop a new CACI for Low T? - VIDEO - In this microlearning lesson, Dr. Warren Silberman, DO, MPH lists medications for hypogonadism which are now accepted for medical issuance under the CACI program and the required criteria and documentation. - Watch Here
10/26/2024 Federal Air Surgeon Addresses Mental Health Progress, Deferral Delays - "Federal Flight Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup, center, gave an update on mental health initiatives at the FAA. - Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup says a pilot medical Bill of Rights is under development, a shorter time lag for pilots to regain their privileges after a medication change is on the way and sometime in the future there will be a "period of non-enforcement" to allow those with undeclared history or challenges with mental health to get the help they need without fear of sanctions. During a Q and A at the National Safety Forum at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas on Wednesday, she also said the backlog delay of medical deferral decisions has been reduced from a year to less than three months and will be reduced further. She's also hoping that those awaiting their deferrals will soon be able to accurately track their progress accurately online in real time.
Northrup was in Las Vegas to specifically address mental health issues in aviation, notably the well-known practice of lying about mental health problems to avoid deferrals and..." Full Story Here.
10/09/2024 We're Not Aging Well - From AOPA - "A lot of people, including Colin Powell who made the phrase popular, have observed that bad news isn’t like good wine – it doesn’t get better with age. Unfortunately, the same can be said for progressive generations of young Americans whose bad news is that over the decades they aren’t aging well either. - While doing some background reading for the last few articles on health, diet, and energy drinks, I kept coming across more and more information on just how unhealthy we’ve become in this country. I mentioned last month that processed foods were leading to earlier and more deadly colon cancer in young people (<50 years old) due to poisoning and premature aging (senescence) of the cells lining the GI tract that render them unable to fight off tumor formation. Increasing cancer rates in younger generations is not unique to just GI cancer; it turns out that every generation of Americans has a progressively higher rate of lots of different types of cancer than the preceding generation. An article published just this month in The Lancet with..." Read the whole article Here.
10/01/2024 FAA Reduces Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Wait Time - "The agency's updated Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners says the wait time has been cut from 48 hours to 24 hours, provided the pilot doesn't show symptoms after 24 hours." More Here.
09/18/2024 VIDEO: Leukemia and Lymphoma - Can I get a medical certificate if I have a history of leukemia or lymphoma? - In this recent episode of the Pilot Minute video series, Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrop describes how AMEs can issue a medical certificate for these conditions and how pilots can expedite the process. - Pilot Minute Video Here.
09/06/2024 VIDEO: Why should I be concerned about herbal remedies? - In this episode of the Pilot Minute, Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup lists the herbal remedies and supplements that are not acceptable for medical certification, including specific concerns for aviation safety. - See the Video Here.
09/06/2024 AME Minute - FAA - Microlearning for Aviation Medical Examiners - In this microlearning lesson, Dr. Warren Silberman, DO, MPH explains how distinguishing head injuries from brain injuries reduces deferrals to the FAA, and allows AMEs to issue medical certificates under a new option. (Running time: 1:22) - The AME Minute is presented by FAA Aviation Safety's Aerospace Medical Education Division of the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, in association with FAA Media Solutions. Watch Video Here. - To provide feedback, please email ame-distance-training@faa.gov
08/11/2024 Be careful what you put in your tank - FROM AOPA - "Energy drinks can deliver a boost, but it is important to be aware of their possible side effects." Continue
08/10/2024 Latest Pilot Minute Video Covers Herbal Remedies - FAA - VIDEO - Pilots may wonder, “Why should I be concerned about herbal remedies?” Not all organic substances are safe and some can have similar effects to those of illicit drugs. In the latest episode of the Pilot Minute video series, Federal Air surgeon Dr. Susan Northrop explains the herbal remedies and supplements that are not acceptable for medical certification including specific concerns for aviation safety. Go to youtube.com/watch?v=u1-FIcnqDms&list=PL5vHkqHi51DQvRjGJo1SuXyZpKl5HbzOI to watch this and other Pilot Minute videos.
07/15/2024 From NBAA - The FAA recently issued new guidelines indicating that the agency is changing its criteria for evaluating pilots’ mental wellness, giving medical examiners greater autonomy in evaluations. Listen as a panel of mental-wellness experts takes listeners behind the headlines to discuss ways the changes might impact aviators’ readiness for flight. - In this episode of NBAA’s “Flight Plan,” host Rob Finfrock speaks with:
07/13/2024 Latest Pilot Minute Video Covers Weight Loss Medications - Pilots may wonder, “Can I take a weight loss drug and still fly?” The FAA allows multiple medications for weight loss, including some available over the counter and some categories of prescription diabetic drugs. In the latest episode of the Pilot Minute video series, Federal Air surgeon Dr. Susan Northrop explains how weight loss medication can be approved by your AME. If you have concerns about weight management, talk to your AME and visit the links in the video description. Go to bit.ly/FAAPilotMinute to watch this and other Pilot Minute videos.
07/09/2024 Microlearning for Aviation Medical Examiners - VIDEO - FAA - In this microlearning lesson, Dr. Warren Silberman, DO, MPH answers a question posed during a recent Grand Rounds session regarding online access to most recent and historical medical certification policy updates. (Running time: 57 seconds) - View it Here. - The AME Minute is presented by FAA Aviation Safety's Aerospace Medical Education Division of the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, in association with FAA Media Solutions.
6/30/2024 Aeromedical Summit, an ARC, and Grand Rounds - By Susan Northrup, MD, MPH - Federal Air Surgeon - Welcome to the June 2024 Federal Air Surgeon’s Medical Bulletin! A LOT has happened in the last six months. My thanks to each of you for taking this journey with us as we update the medical standards and IT infrastructure. I appreciate your patience as we introduced double authentication for AMEs accessing our medical subsystems. For most people, it was seamless, but not for all. You can expect further enhancements and improvements in our system moving forward.
The Mental Health and Medical Clearance Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). In December 2023, the FAA Administrator announced the formation of the ARC to evaluate the barriers to pilots seeking mental health support and treatment and reporting it to the FAA. The ARC was made up of people from industry, academia, pilot advocacy groups, unions, peer support organizations, flight training organizations, and aerospace medicine mental health experts. Observers and subject matter experts included international partners, representatives from the NTSB and FAA, and other interested parties. In less than four months from inception, the ARC produced a report discussing the barriers and providing 24 recommendations. The Office of Aerospace Medicine did not wait for the final report to begin implementing new ideas and accelerating efforts already in progress. As a result, we approved three new medications (SNRIs) in April and updated mental health policy in May to allow AMEs to issue Certificates to more pilots and air traffic controllers who meet certain criteria. For more information see Item 47. Psychiatric Conditions in the AME Guide.
To that end, we continue to encourage everyone to help spread mental health awareness to the entire aviation community. Our efforts have three main themes. I call them the 3-Es.
- Educate all people in the aviation community to reduce stigma and fear regarding FAA processes and policy.
- Early Intervention is key through education, peer support networks, outreach, and if required treatment.
- Evolve medical standards as new science develops.
One of the outcomes from both our Aeromedical Certification Summit and the ARC was a recommendation to provide AMEs more frequent training and education, particularly when we make major changes in policy. In May, we stood up Grand Rounds -- notifications were sent out through AMCS and emails. Approximately 20% of the AMEs attended. The feedback was uniformly positive. And, we provided one hour of CME. Please understand, these sessions are not to discuss specific cases. The design is to provide current policy updates or items generating a lot of interest or questions. We will accept recommendations for future topics.
The Grand Rounds will be scheduled the last week of each month. Information and the virtual meeting link will be send to AMEs via email. - Finally, thank you for all you do to keep the National Air Space safe. - Susan
06/30/2024 - Medical Certification Policy Updates - By Judith Frazier, MD, MBA - The Policy and Standards branch continues to focus on helping Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) more easily obtain the information needed to make a medical certification decision. This version highlights policy changes and updates published between November 2023 and May 2024. The full list of changes is hyperlinked in the Archives and Updates section of the AME Guide.
Psychiatry/Behavioral Health - Anxiety, Depression and Related Conditions – introduced new disposition table and a new Decision Tool for the AME. Using this tool, AMEs may be able to issue a combination of up to two (2) behavioral health diagnoses when uncomplicated, treated with a single medication 2 years ago or longer.
If currently in psychotherapy and no medication, may also be issued using the Decision Tool. Remember to put the specific wording from the dispo table in Block 60 so we know you used the Decision Tool!
Expanded acceptable antidepressant medications (previous known as the SSRI protocol) to include EIGHT (8) medications of various classes (SSRI, SNRI, and NDRI).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – revised the disposition table to allow ongoing psychotherapy. - Need to reach an FAA psychiatrist with a question? Use the new Branch email 9-AVS-Psychiatry-Branch@faa.gov.
Cardiac
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) – Expanded disposition table added listing out initial certification requirements by class. Corresponding Protocol page added.
Recertification. Simplified the AASI for CHD requirements for recertification for all classes by removing the annual stress test. If currently on an AASI for CHD/CAD, the RECERTIFICATION evaluation data is based on control of risk factors. Have the treating cardiologist complete the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)/ Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Recertification Status Summary. Please let your pilots know about this new change as we started to update their authorization letters!
If risk factors are not controlled, a stress test may be required. If currently on a SI, the CHD/CAD Recertification Status Summary should also be submitted to expedite recertification along with any stress testing requested per the authorization letter.
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)/A-Flutter – Simplified Status Summary to use for both Initial and Recertification. Rember to send in the clinic notes showing how the A-Fib/Flutter was diagnosed for INITIAL certification consideration.
Chest Pain/Angina – New disposition table.
ECG/EKG – Clarified a full 12-lead ECG is required. (1,2, or 6 leads are not acceptable). Must be 25mm/sec at 10 mV.
Hemoglobin A1c replaces a fasting blood sugar on multiple cardiac pages and protocols.
Pacemaker – Status Summary expands recertification based on Estimated Replacement Interval. Pilots can be issued an annual SI until the month prior to the ERI expiration which is typically 3-4 month of battery life remaining.
Valve repair and Valve replacement – simplified. Removed requirements for stress testing for all classes.
Otolaryngology (ENT)
ENT – Section updated. Expanded and updated disposition tables for both Middle Ear and Outer Ear.
Cochlear implant – new disposition table.
Vertigo – New or expanded disposition tables for vertigo conditions such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Labyrinthitis (Vestibular Neuritis, Viral labyrinthitis, Epidemic Vertigo, Acute Vestibulopathy), Meniere’s Disease, Perilymph Fistula (PLF), Persistent postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD or 3PD) and Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SSCDS).
Other Systems/Miscellaneous
GI – Cholelithiasis. Updated disposition table.
Medical Certificate Limitations – Added reference to limitations by system.
Neurology – Syncope. Expanded disposition table. New Chiari Malformation Disposition Table. Added caffeine use to social history the FAA Specifications for Neurologic Evaluation.
Ophthalmology – Lattice Degeneration. New disposition table.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals – Weight Loss Management Medications added as CACI. New Weight Loss Management Status Report (to use with CACI or SI). Clarified Loperamide should not be used for acute illness.
Help us improve the AME guide! Send you comments or suggestions to: AMEGuide@FAA.gov. (This mailbox does not answer case questions.)
- Dr. Frazier is the Manager of the Policy and Standards Branch in the Office of Aerospace Medicine.
6/28/2024 Drug Abatement Program's Latest News - FAA - The Department of Transportation (DOT) published three notices in the Federal Register on June 21, 2024 that pertain to its final rule that authorized employers to use oral fluid drug testing as an alternative testing methodology to urine drug testing. For more information and a link to the DOT’s notices, please visit https://www.transportation.gov/odapc/frpubs. If you have any questions, you may contact the DOT’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance at 202-366-3784 or ODAPCWebMail@dot.gov.
Remember to visit the FAA’s website at www.faa.gov/go/drugabatement often for updated resources, new or updated FAQs and Q&As, a copy of our latest inspection guide, and other useful materials. Webmaster: Please be aware that at times links to FAA.gov pages sunset and are updated to different locations. Should that become the case, please inform the webmaster at contactus@scauwg.org Thank You!
06/28/2024 FAA Removes Check Pilot Medical Requirement - Rule also eliminates FAA regulatory inconsistencies - The FAA has finalized the substantive relief proposed five years ago that removes a requirement for check pilots, check flight engineers, and flight instructors to Part 135 and 121 operations to hold an FAA medical certificate when performing in-flight duties. This move also eliminates Part 135 and 121 regulatory inconsistencies.
“Removing the conflicting medical certificate requirement enables the utilization of pilots who are otherwise qualified to function as check pilots, check flight engineers, and flight instructors in aircraft,” according to the agency. This relief “would increase the number of experienced pilots who would be able to qualify as Part 135 check pilots on aircraft.” Similar clarifying changes were also made to Part 121. More Here.
06/28/2024 New Pilot Minute Video: How Being Hot and Thirsty Can Affect Flying - In the latest episode of the FAA’s Pilot Minute video series, Federal Air Surgeon Dr. Susan Northrup explains the physiological impacts of dehydration on flying and suggestions for mitigation. See this and past Pilot Minute videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5vHkqHi51DQvRjGJo1SuXyZpKl5HbzOI.
06/27/2024 Microlearning for Aviation Medical Examiners - VIDEO - In this microlearning lesson, Dr. Warren Silberman, DO, MPH explains the importance of reviewing ECG lead placements for common errors before uploading to the FAA. (Running time: 1:20) View The Video Here
The original AMEPilot Data is found here:
Welcome to AMEPilot, a new feature of SCAUWG.ORG presented by Aviation Medical Examiner - Gregory J. Hanker, M.D. – Dr. Hanker is an orthopedic surgeon practicing at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys.
Dr. Hanker’s primary goal as an Aviation Medical Examiner and the author of AMEPilot is to assist the local aviation community in obtaining their medical certification, especially complex cases where FAA special authorization may be necessary.
AMEPilot is a quarterly authored contribution written exclusively for SCAUWG.ORG.
The FIRST EDITION - SPRING - addresses the behind the scenes, rarely known items about how to prepare for and what YOU CAN DO to make your Medical proceed easy and fast! Underlying medical issues can be addressed successfully. When properly prepared and with the proper documentation, only a very small percentage of applications for a medical certificate are denied. Dr. Hanker details how you can mobilize your application for success within the best possible timeframe. The editions that follow continue to provide you with the important data that will help you facilitate your medical application as well as stay in the best possible health and professionally prepare for safe flight.
- NEWSWORTHY NOTE From AOPA: 03/29/2021
Make your selection here:
EXTRA Feature WINTER Dec. 2023 - AOPA- HERE
AMEPilot 2023 SPRING CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2022 SUMMER CLICK HERE
AMEPilot WINTER 2022 CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2021 MAY CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2020 FALL WINTER CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2020 SPRING SUMMER CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2020 WINTER EDITION CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2019 FALL EDITION CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2019 SUMMER EDITION CLICK HERE
AMEPilot 2019 SPRING EDITION CLICK HERE
Aviation Medical Examiner Gregory J. Hanker, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon practicing at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute in Van Nuys. Tel. (818) 901-6600
Dr. Hanker is a former USAF transport pilot who flew the C-9A Nightingale on aero- medical evacuation missions in Europe; an Ohio USAF Reservist flying the C-123 Provider while attending medical school;
and currently a general aviation pilot flying out of Van Nuys Airport.
Dr. Hanker’s primary goal as an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is to assist the local aviation community in obtaining their medical certification, especially complex cases where FAA special authorization may be necessary.