Exam Overview

<p>To grasp the complex FAA Aviation Medical Exam Process, we recommend that Flight Doctors (AMEs) and pilots envision the complex FAA flight physical in phases:</p> <h3><a href="/medical-application">Medical Application</a></h3><p>Items 1-20 on the application are applicant statements about their medical history. The pilot applicant will register for an online <a href="/medical-application/medxpress-info">MedXPress</a> account and review the <a href="/medical-application/pilots-bill-of-rights">Pilot's Bill of Rights</a>. Once registered and logged in, he/she must answer questions about demographics. Be prepared to give detailed medical data from your personal medical history.</p> <p> During this application phase, you can save your work periodically if you need to go retrieve medical records or check the doses of your medications. The application is saved for up to 30 days while you are working on it. Once submitted, the application stays on the FAA system for up to 60 days, then it will be deleted. You must see the AME prior to 60 days after final submission. As an applicant, you must agree to release information from the National Driver Register (history about DUI etc). These statements are collected from the pilot applicant during this application phase in advance of the actual AME appointment. Information is collected through a federal web application called MedXpress. FlightPhysical.com maintains a practice page where you can see information about the questions in advance.</p></li> <h3> <a href="medical-exam">Medical Exam</a></h3><p> This includes a formal validation and review of the first 20 items mentioned above (from the Medical Application) plus items 21-64, the typical assessments (height/weight/vision, etc) that are made in the doctor's office. The review and this part happens in the AME office. This portion includes the review of the medical history entered through MedXPress, a physical exam and final review process.</p> <h3><a href="/medical-standards">Medical Standards</a></h3><p>Federal Statutes (CFR Part 67) that specify the legal medical standards that pilots must meet or exceed to be eligible for various classes (1, 2 or 3) of FAA airman medical certification. </p> <h3><a href="/medical-workup">Medical Workup</a></h3><p>If you don't think you immediately qualify--don't despair. This section contains FAA guidelines, timelines, disease protocols and follow up studies that might be arranged if a motivated applicant chooses to pursue an <a href="/pilot-medical-certification/faa-waivers">FAA waiver</a> despite problems or medical defects. Some of these workups are expensive and unrealistic, so be sure to discuss the feasibility of pursuing a waiver with your <a href="http://flightphysical.com">AME</a> before spending a lot of time or money. Many of us have various defects, irregularities or warning flags that appear during the initial application or history, so this section if for those of us who aren't medically perfect. Understand what is needed to gain or regain medical certification after a problem develops. <br><span class='text-alert small'>For example, if you are found to have a color vision defect, you may choose to pursue restricted certification anyway...this is the section where you can get a glimpse of what might be required. Remember, not everyone can safely fly, but today there are deaf pilots, amputee pilots and thousands of other aviators who are legally flying because they were able to prove their capabilities and acquire certification despite initial problems.</span></p> <p>Our staff of pilots and AMEs is dedicated to helping pilots and doctors understand the complex FAA medical application, physical examination and medical workup required for Airman Medical Certification.</p>