What To Expect

Introduction
Professionalism, honesty, and an open, mutual trust are the building blocks of a good working relationship between you and your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). This does not happen overnight. It requires work from both parties.
We share the same objective: to keep you healthy, and flying safely. Our ongoing relationship provides a firm basis for building up trust, enabling health promotion, and facilitating better communication both during, and between, examinations. Most of us will encounter medical problems  which invariably arise between medicals. The medical itself helps to identify, and thus prevent such problems.
Together, we want to foster a safe culture where disclosure of any medical problems is the best course of action. When something does come up, you can expect a supportive response to the issue and then we will work together towards a shared goal of a long and safe career in aviation.


What you can expect from us:
Your AME is a medical doctor and should possess a higher qualification in Aerospace Medicine, be up to date with equipment, medical requirements, and FAA policy, and have access to specialist support when required.
Your AME needs to understand both your life and social circumstances and the nature of your employment as a pilot, so expect questions about your personal and family life, as well as your job. An understanding of your work pattern and employment contractual situation can be very important.
If you identify any areas that you would like further support with as a result of such discussion, your AME can recommend various ways to address them outside of the medical, in order to prevent them becoming an issue that could impact your fitness to fly in the future. This might include Peer Support Programs, specialized counseling, or support from a professional association. Anything that does not directly impact your fitness to fly will remain confidential between you and your AME.
Your AME
  • should give adequate time for your appointment and practice from an appropriate, and properly equipped, facility.
  • should treat you with respect, and maintain the confidentiality of your medical information.
  • will expect you to answer both written and verbal questions, honestly and fully, and not omit any information.
  • should respond to any concerns or questions you may have concerning your medical history, or the various clinical tests during your medical.
During the medical
  • you should feel free to ask about any examination or test being performed. For example ‘What is the reason for this part of the examination?’
  • your AME will explain the medical certificate, and any limitations applied, and your obligation to notify any changes to your health status between medical examinations.
  • your AME may recommend further health promotion actions, such as losing weight, giving up smoking, or other lifestyle changes that promote good psychosocial wellbeing.


If you are not issued a medical certificate, a clear explanation of the reasons should be given to you, and what further actions are needed to gain certification. Your rights of appeal against the decision and access to a secondary review must be made clear.

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