Aviation Medical Examiner
Encyclopedia
In the United States
and other countries, an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is a physician
designated by the local 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 Organisation have established basic medical rules for determining whether a pilot 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.
The military equivalent of the AME is the flight surgeon
.
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 may also issue combined medical/student pilot certificates
.
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).
in Europe issue their own medical certificates. Most now do so according to the established guidance provided by JAR-FCL 3 (Medical), in a similar arrangement to the US whereby the local aviation authority in each country appoints AMEs.
The JAA regulations prescribe two standards of medical certificate. Class 2 is required for private flying on a PPL and the more stringent class 1 is for professional pilots (CPL or ATPL
). An initial Class 1 medical examination must be performed by the Aeromedical Centre (AMC) of the country which will issue the license, but may be renewed by any suitably authorized AME.
Medical regulation in the JAA area is expected to gradually change in or after 2008 as the European Aviation Safety Agency
takes over responsibility.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other countries, an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
designated by the local aviation authority and given the authority to perform flight physical examinations and issue aviation medical certificates. AMEs are practitioners of aviation medicine
Aviation medicine
Aviation medicine, also called flight medicine or aerospace medicine, is a preventive or occupational medicine in which the patients/subjects are pilots, aircrews, or persons involved in spaceflight...
, although most are also qualified in other medical specialties.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation have established basic medical rules for determining whether a pilot 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.
The military equivalent of the AME is the flight surgeon
Flight surgeon
A flight surgeon is a military medical officer assigned to duties in the clinical field variously known as aviation medicine, aerospace medicine, or flight medicine...
.
AMEs in the United States
AMEs are private physicians, not employees of the FAA. Interested physicians apply through their regional flight surgeon's office. 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 may also issue combined medical/student pilot certificates
Student Pilot Certificate
In the U.S., a student pilot certificate is issued to a pilot in training, and is a pre-requisite for the student to fly alone in the aircraft, or solo. It is usually initially issued by a Medical Doctor who is also an authorized aviation medical examiner in conjunction with the student’s first...
.
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).
AMEs in the JAA area
Member countries of the Joint Aviation AuthoritiesJoint Aviation Authorities
The Joint Aviation Authorities, or JAA, was an associated body of the ECAC representing the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States who had agreed to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory standards and procedures...
in Europe issue their own medical certificates. Most now do so according to the established guidance provided by JAR-FCL 3 (Medical), in a similar arrangement to the US whereby the local aviation authority in each country appoints AMEs.
The JAA regulations prescribe two standards of medical certificate. Class 2 is required for private flying on a PPL and the more stringent class 1 is for professional pilots (CPL or ATPL
Airline Transport Pilot License
The Airline Transport Pilot License , or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot rating -- or license...
). An initial Class 1 medical examination must be performed by the Aeromedical Centre (AMC) of the country which will issue the license, but may be renewed by any suitably authorized AME.
Medical regulation in the JAA area is expected to gradually change in or after 2008 as the European Aviation Safety Agency
European Aviation Safety Agency
The European Aviation Safety Agency is an agency of the European Union with offices in Cologne, Germany, which has been given regulatory and executive tasks in the field of civilian aviation safety. It was created on 15 July 2002, and it reached full functionality in 2008, taking over functions...
takes over responsibility.