The student should display an understanding of aeronautical decision making, aeromedical factors and human factors.

Medical Certificates (Part 67)…Issued by AME

Valid for…. 6mo/12mo/24mo/60mo

Reasons for Medical Certificate Denial or Special Issuance…

• Diabetes mellitus requiring oral hypoglycemic medication or insulin
• Angina pectoris
• Coronary heart disease that has been treated or, if untreated, that has been symptomatic or clinically significant
• Myocardial infarction
• Cardiac valve replacement
• Permanent cardiac pacemaker
• Heart replacement
• Psychosis
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality disorder that is severe enough to have repeatedly manifested itself by overt acts
• Substance dependence (including alcohol)
• Substance abuse
• Epilepsy
• Disturbance of consciousness and without satisfactory explanation of cause
• Transient loss of control of nervous system function(s) without satisfactory explanation of cause

BasicMED (Part 68)…Limited to 6,000 lbs GW, 6 Pax Seats, <250 KIAS, <18,000 FT MSL, inside the US.

Pilots operating under BasicMED must have the medical checklist & certificate of course completion available when flying.

See: Spatial Disorientation and Illusions

See hypoxia_hyperventilation_co

See oxygen_requirements

Decompression sickness (DCS) describes a condition characterized by a variety of symptoms resulting from exposure to low barometric pressures that cause inert gases (mainly nitrogen), normally dissolved in body fluids and tissues, to come out of physical solution and form bubbles. Nitrogen is an inert gas normally stored throughout the human body (tissues and fluids) in physical solution. (PHAK Ch 17)

• Put on oxygen mask immediately and switch the regulator to 100 percent oxygen.
• Begin an emergency descent as soon as possible. Even if the symptoms disappear during descent, land and seek medical evaluation while continuing to breathe oxygen.
• If one of the symptoms is joint pain, keep the affected area still; do not try to work pain out by moving the joint around.
• Upon landing, seek medical assistance from an FAA medical officer, AME, military flight surgeon, or a hyperbaric medicine specialist. Be aware that a physician not specialized in aviation or hypobaric medicine may not be familiar with this type of medical problem.
• Definitive medical treatment may involve the use of a hyperbaric chamber operated by specially-trained personnel.
• Delayed signs and symptoms of altitude-induced DCS can occur after return to ground level regardless of
• presence during flight.

61.53 prohibits acting as pilot-in-command or in any other capacity as a required pilot flight crewmember, while that person:

1. Knows or has reason to know of any medical condition

that would make the person unable to meet the requirement for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation, or

1. Is taking medication or receiving other treatment for

a medical condition that results in the person being unable to meet the requirements for the medical certificate necessary for the pilot operation.

91.17 prohibits the use of any drug that affects the person’s faculties in any way contrary to safety.

Some of the most commonly used OTC drugs, antihistamines and decongestants, have the potential to cause noticeable adverse side effects, including drowsiness and cognitive deficits. (PHAK Ch. 17)

Many medications, such as tranquilizers, sedatives, strong pain relievers, and cough suppressants, have primary effects that may impair judgment, memory, alertness, coordination, vision, and the ability to make calculations. (PHAK Ch. 17)

Tylenol, asprin, ibprofin generally have no serious consequences.

Flying is almost always precluded while using prescription analgesics, such as drugs containing propoxyphene (e.g., Darvon), oxycodone (e.g., Percodan), meperidine (e.g., Demerol), and codeine, since these drugs are known to cause side effects, such as mental confusion, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vision problems. (PHAK Ch 17)