An Aviation Medical Examiner or Aero-medical Examiner (AME) is a physician designated by the national aviation authority and given the authority to perform flight physical examinations and issue aviation medical certificates. AMEs are practitioners of aviation medicine, although most are also qualified in other medical specialties.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have established basic medical rules for determining whether a pilot or an air traffic controller is fit to act in that capacity, and they are codified in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. However, most countries' aviation authorities have developed their own specific details and clarifications to be used in addition to – frequently more stringently than – the high-level standards prescribed by ICAO.[1]
The military equivalent of the AME is the flight surgeon.
AMEs in the United States
editAMEs are private physicians, not employees of the Federal Aviation Authority ( FAA). Interested physicians apply through their regional flight surgeon's office.[2] If selected and authorized, they are trained through a national process. A pilot can go to any examiner from a list of designated doctors and undergo an examination at any time. New AMEs are designated based upon the local demand for aeromedical certification services.
All AMEs may issue second-class or third-class certificates. Some AMEs are designated "senior aviation medical examiner", and may issue first-class certificates, which are required for pilots flying in air carrier operations. An AME can no longer issue combined medical/student pilot certificates as the FAA now issues separate student pilot certificates as of April 1, 2016.[3]
As of 2008, the FAA had approximately 3,927 civilian AME's located in 9 regions, 291 international AMEs located in 81 countries, and 350 federal AMEs (military, U.S. Coast Guard, NASA, and other agencies). The average age of American AME's is almost 60 years old and only 10% that serve are female.[4]
AMEs in Europe
editMember states of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issue their own medical certificates. The local aviation authority in each state appoints AMEs, but all AMEs are recognised by all states. Medical records must be held by the same state which issues the pilot licence.
EASA regulations prescribe two standards of medical certificate. Class 2 is required for private flying on a private pilot licence (PPL) and the more stringent Class 1 is for professional pilots (commercial pilot licence (CPL) or airline transport pilot license (ATPL). An initial Class 1 medical examination must be performed by an Aero-Medical Centre (AeMC), but may be renewed by any suitably authorized AME.[5]
A Class 1 medical certificate is valid for 12 months, unless the pilot is aged 40 or over and carries out single pilot commercial air transport operations carrying passengers, or is aged over 60, in which case it is valid for 6 months.[6]
Regulatory Changes and International Standards
edit- International Collaboration on Medical Standards: There is an increasing trend towards harmonizing medical standards for aviation personnel across different countries. Organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are working with national aviation authorities to develop consistent guidelines that AMEs can follow globally. This collaboration aims to improve safety standards and streamline the certification process for pilots operating internationally[7]
- Regulatory Updates in Response to Emerging Health Issues: The FAA has recently updated its guidelines regarding the evaluation of pilots with emerging health issues such as long COVID. These updates reflect a proactive approach to address new health challenges faced by aviation personnel and ensure that AMEs have the necessary tools to assess these conditions appropriately
References
edit- ^ "Medical certification following illness". UK Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original on 2007-02-03.
- ^ Jedick, Rocky. "Become an Aviation Medical Examiner Today". Go Flight Medicine. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ^ "Become a Pilot – Student Pilot's Certificate Requirements". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
- ^ "Become an Aviation Medical Examiner Today! | GO FLIGHT MEDICINE".
- ^ "Medical". EASA. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Apply for a Class 1 medical certificate". www.caa.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ "Home". www.icao.int. Retrieved 2024-11-17.