An Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) is a physician designated by the Federal Aviation Administration and given the authority to perform flight physical examinations and issue aviation medical certificates if the applicant meets FAA standards. AMEs are practitioners of aviation medicine, although most are also qualified in other medical specialties.

When a person visits an AME for a flight physical the fees involved are for the examination and do not guarantee that a certificate will be issued.

The class of flight physical acquired is determined by what kind of flying you are doing or will do.

  • Class I, airline transport pilot.This is renewed every six months
  • Class II, commercial pilot.This is renewed every year
  • Class III, private pilot. This is renewed every five years for those under 40 and every two years or older.

Recreational Pilots, a new class of pilots, may fly smaller airplanes and carry one passenger within 50 miles of their home base, and only fly during the day in good weather. This is a good choice if you are interested in fun flying. This class of aviators does not require a flight physical but must be qualified to hold a driver’s license. Unfortunately, if you have applied for a flight physical but have been found to be not medically qualified then you are not eligible to be a recreational pilot.

The requirements are stricter for the commercial and airline transport pilots. Additionally, if you are not yet a certified pilot you will need to apply for a student pilot certificate. This is done at the same time as your first flight physical.

 

CASA approved Aviation medicals for private and commercial pilots and ATCs.
One of the Health HQ Doctors is a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME).

In GCMP Dr Sajjad Haider can provide all the classes of flight physicals

 

PRE-APPOINTMENT CHECKLIST!

  • Complete the CASA medical questionnaire on MRSprior to attending the appointment – give yourself plenty of time to do this because it can take up to an hour!
  • Bring Photo ID to all appointments eg. driving license.
  • Bring your most recent aviation medical certificate to your appointment.
  • Bring along any recent test results you may have had (blood tests are valid for 3 months).
  • Bring along any corrective glasses or contact lenses – even if you have recently seen an optometrist.