AVIATION MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Aviation Medical Examiner
(AME)
designated by the
Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA)
FLY LIKE AN EAGLE
AVIATION HEALTH
HISTORY
Early in aviation history, most fatalities were the result of airmen who were unfit. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) developed medical standards in order for airmen to receive certification. The enactment of collaborative safeguards has ensured that overall crash risk of driving a car exceeds that of flying an airplane.
AVIATION MEDICINE
Flight affects our physiology. Rising above the atmosphere, the air gets "thin". With high altitude, there is a drop in atmospheric pressure, including a drop in the partial pressure of oxygen resulting in hypoxia. This is nearly completely corrected with cabin pressurization. Pressure changes may cause trapped gas to expand/contract in body cavities such as ear, sinus, and gastrointestinal system. Since the air expands as you go up, you may want to visit the toilet before departure (reduces the risk of a farty party in the cockpit). Upon descent, the pressurization may collapse air in the eustachian tubes (connects your ears to the back of your throat) with relief by "popping" you ears open via yawning (opens the angle of eustachian tube) or pinching your nose and blowing out. Decompression sickness may occur with rapid unpressurized ascent causing nitrogen gas to form bubbles potentially causing "the bends" pain bending you over in body aches (use caution from SCUBA diving to flying). Higher altitude provides exposure to higher level of UltraViolet rays. Despite these risks, the lifespan of airmen exceeds that of the general population. This due to good habits combined with medical requirements of the FAA.
AVIATION MEDICAL EXAMINER
AME
A civilian doctor who is designated by the FAA to issue medical certification is called an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). AMEs are required to maintain board certification in their specialty, take an intensive course at FAA headquarters in Oklahoma City, continuing medical education, and pass tests to maintain qualification. Our doctor is a senior AME.
TOP DOC
Highway to the safety zone.
♩♩♩♩♫♩
Gonna take you right into the safety zone... ♬♬♩♩♩♩♫♩
FEE
1st Class*: New Patient $300, Established Patient $250
2nd Class: New Patient $225, Established Patient $175
3rd Class: New Patient $150, Established Patient $100
all classes includes Urine test
* 1st class includes ElectroCardioGram at age 35 then annually age 40+
The FAA medical exam is a regulatory exam, not a Wellness exam, however as a thank you we offer you a Wellness exam complimentary for your optimal health. Metaphorically, the FAA exam is compared to a smog check and the maintenance / oil change is compared to a Wellness check. It is recommended that you have a Wellness exam with your PCP, whoever that is.
BILLING
We charge upfront. We bill most PPO health plans on your behalf; 99% of those who get a Wellness exam here will receive a refund and many others do anyway depending on insurance plan. Most major commercial airlines (including and not limited to American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Southwest Airlines) reimburse you $400+ for the first exam of the year and $250 for the 2nd exam of the year. We provide receipts in all cases, including for employer reimbursement and tax deduction.
PREPARATION
Please complete MedXpress then provide confirmation # at the time of scheduling an appointment. It is recommended you schedule an appointment 3-4 weeks ahead of your certification expiration date in case you need blood pressure treatment, visual corrective lenses, etcetera. Bring in any visual corrective lenses and hearing aids and take your usual medications. If you have any medical issues, bring in all pertinent documents. Most chronic conditions require a treating physician report within 90 days. Wearing a short sleeve shirt is helpful for blood pressure check.
Airmen MedXpress IT Support: 1.844.FAA.MyIT = 844.322.6948
TIMING
We can usually accommodate you within 2 business days.
The most common reason we defer is not meeting vision standards; if so, please ask your eye doctor to fill this out and fax it to us. If we ask for additional information from you, please submit it to us within 14 days to expedite certification issuance.
Length of Time Certificate is Valid
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Summary of FAA Medical Standards
AIRMAN HELP: medical program analyst for Western Pacific region: 424.405.7620
