evolution of aeromedical disposition assessment

EVOLUTION OF EVOLUTION OF AEROMEDICAL AEROMEDICAL

DISPOSITION ASSESSMENTDISPOSITION ASSESSMENT

Jiří ŠULCJiří ŠULC

Institute of Aviation MedicineInstitute of Aviation Medicine

Prague, Czech RepublicPrague, Czech Republic

European Airline Training Symposium, Prague November 10th – 11th 2009

HISTORYHISTORY

Early attemptsEarly attempts 1887 Russia 1888 Germany

Based on aeromedical

knowledge 1907 Russia 1915 Germany 1918 USA, GB, France,

Italy 1924 Czechoslovakia etc.

HISTORYHISTORYRequest of absolute fitness of a licence holder

First Czechoslovak Regulation on Flight Crew Medical Licensing [1924]( Examination of airmen with a physician)

HISTORYHISTORY

Convention on International Civil Aviation

Annex 1 FARs [USA] JAR-FCL 3 [Europe]

MEDICAL CERTIFICATEMEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Warrants that an airman1. is physically and mentally capable of

performing his/her flying duties … for the period of validity of his/her certificate;

2. is free of disease which may render him/her incapable of performing the duties on board in a safe manner;

3. is free of disease which may slowly, but within the period of validity of relevant certificate reduce the capacity for performing his/her duties on board below the acceptable level

PROBLEMSPROBLEMS

Some specific health disorders, which may without warning strike the pilot´s ability to perform his/her obligations unfitness

Aeromedical tourism

SUDDEN IN-FLIGHT MEDICAL SUDDEN IN-FLIGHT MEDICAL EVENTSEVENTS

1. Pilot´s incapaciation[complete inability to perform any in-flight duties]

2. Pilot´s impairment[some degree of degradation of his/her performance]

SUDDEN IN-FLIGHT MEDICAL SUDDEN IN-FLIGHT MEDICAL EVENTSEVENTS

1. Relatively low risk of sudden decompensation of controlled disease

2. Relatively higher risk in presence of subtle complaints and/or of physiological incidents

[fatigue, hypoxia, CO2 intoxication]

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

1. Today´s system of medical flight crew licensing is highly effective

2. Without active cooperation of aircrew can significant impairments of medical fitness pass unnoticed