Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine offers one-stop care by providing all services available at one location in Rochester, Minnesota. This means you can get testing, procedures and evaluations efficiently, at one place.
Scheduling of services is well coordinated, so what might take months in another setting may be done in a matter of days at Mayo Clinic. We provide the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies — from the highest resolution imaging devices, through advanced AI integration. Through innovation in the medical field, we are continually implementing new services to ensure pilots get the most advanced health care available.
Aerospace Medicine at Mayo Clinic is carrying on a tradition begun in the 1920s. At that time several Mayo Clinic doctors served as the first pilot medical examiners for the Civil Aeronautics Board — the precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Many of the faculty members of our team today have civilian and military flight experience.
Our doctors have expertise in the fields of aerospace and altitude medicine, hyperbaric medicine, internal medicine, occupational medicine, clinical psychiatry, substance addiction, and pulmonary medicine. Our multidisciplinary approach to medical care provides pilots with the expert advice they need to make informed decisions.
Preparing for your aerospace medicine appointment
Getting your medical certification to fly is an important event. Here's what to bring to your examination:
- Photo identification (driver's license, passport or employer/student identification).
- A current list of all medicines (prescription and nonprescription) including doses and how often you use them.
- A list of all visits in the past three calendar years to a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, psychologist, clinical social worker or substance abuse specialist. Include the date, name of provider, clinic and address, type of health care professional, and reason for consultation. (Routine dental, eye and FAA examinations may be excluded.)
- Any letters from the FAA indicating specific tests or procedures to perform, including Special Issuance Authorizations (SI), or Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) certifications.
For most people, the flight physical takes about two hours. Registration and completion of screening visual and auditory acuity can be accomplished within an hour. The examination by your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) will require a second hour. In cases of medical conditions that require Special Issuance or deferral to the FAA, your AME may need additional time.
Mayo Clinic's Aerospace Medicine program supports aviation safety by providing comprehensive care, specialized aeromedical consulting, biomedical research, and education for businesses and people in the aviation industry. It also offers specialized programs for aviation personnel and passengers on the ground and in the air.
The Aerospace Medicine program offers a full range of services, including:
- FAA flight physicals.
- FAA Special Issuance assistance.
- Aviation disability evaluations.
- Fitness-for-duty and return to work evaluations for airlines, flight departments and pilot unions.
- Medical assessments for civilian space flight.
- Aviation Medical Director services for flight departments.
- Pre-employment assessments.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
- Altitude physiology research.
- Consultations for mountain illness treatment and prevention.
- Mayo Clinic Clear Approach for pilots who have questions about medical certification.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) trains and certifies the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The FAA has designated certain Mayo physicians with a minimum of three years of accurately performing flight physicals as Senior Aviation Medical Examiners (SAMEs). SAMEs are qualified to perform Class I examinations, which meet the standard for commercial airline transport pilots.
Mayo Clinic also features several AMEs who are trained in providing care to pilots in the Human Intervention and Motivation Study (HIMS). This type of care is required for certain pilots with prior substance abuse issues or aviators prescribed antidepressant medicines monitored by the Federal Air Surgeon's Office.
FAA flight physicals
A pilot must meet minimum safety standards in terms of physical and mental condition as determined by the FAA. When a designated physician determines that the pilot meets the standards for a successful flight physical, the pilot is issued a medical certificate identifying that individual as meeting those specific standards.
FAA medical certificate requirements
The FAA outlines the minimum standards to qualify for an FAA medical. Certain aviation professions or employers may require an individual to hold a valid medical certificate as part of their employment. The Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 61.23) establish the criteria for those requiring an FAA medical, and the duration of each medical class.
There are three classes of FAA medical certificates, each with a more restrictive set of physical standards. A pilot may apply for any class of medical certification. Most people apply for the class most applicable to their flying activity.
- FAA Class I Medical
- Most applicants are typically Airline Transport Pilots (ATP), business aviation pilots and those pursuing a career in aviation.
- FAA Class II Medical
- Most applicants are commercial pilots with careers in flight instruction, agricultural application, charter aviation and other types of flying where a pilot is paid for their service.
- FAA Class III Medical
- Most applicants are mainly recreational or private pilots.
- FAA BasicMed
- Mayo Clinic does not offer FAA BasicMed evaluations.
Applying for an FAA Medical Certificate
Pilots must complete the FAA Medical Application (Form 8500-8) online at FAA MedXPress when applying for an FAA Medical Certificate. Applicants will receive a confirmation number when the application is complete. This confirmation number will be needed by your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).
After your examination, the AME may do one of the following:
- Issue a certificate if the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the medical class applied for.
- Defer to the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division for review and eligibility. This is usually due to a medical condition that requires additional review by the FAA before a decision can be made.
- Deny certification if the applicant does not meet minimum medical requirements. We will make every attempt to address medical conditions in advance of a medical application to minimize a denial.
The FAA may require additional medical information with a medical application. The Mayo Clinic AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) includes all supporting medical information, test results and imaging related to the FAA medical application. Please bring all applicable medical records to your appointment or arrange for them to be sent to your AME before your appointment to minimize any delays in reviewing medical records and submitting your medical application.
Aviation disability evaluations
Pilots may encounter medical conditions that are temporarily or permanently disabling. Flight physicians at Mayo Clinic perform forensic assessments of pilots who have physical impairments. These pilots may be referred to us by major aviation disability insurance administrators, corporate flight departments or commercial airlines. Physicians confirm accurate diagnoses, establish the presence or absence of maximal medical improvement, and recommend treatment or next steps.
Medical assessments for civilian spaceflight
The inherent physiologic stresses of space flight, and the limited capability for medical care on board, require a standardized system for medical assessments of people who may take part in civilian space tourism. Mayo has specialists in these preflight medical assessments. It also offers an expedited service model through the existing Executive Health Program.
The goal is to provide a full, individualized, protocol-driven aerospace medical assessment to determine the medical risks and risk mitigation strategies for people who plan to fly into space. Specialists in internal medicine and aerospace medicine can complete a thorough assessment in 2 to 3 days.
Preplacement special assessments
Mayo flight physicians perform special medical assessments for screening programs tailored to the needs of the requesting organization. Professional pilot recruiting firms refer pilots to Mayo Clinic for full medical exams before being hired to work for airlines on a temporary or permanent basis. Mayo Clinic flight surgeons also perform forensic evaluations on people who serve in ground crew support functions involving safety-sensitive maneuvers.
妙佑医疗国际是美国规模最大、经验最丰富的医疗机构之一，在亚利桑那州、佛罗里达州和明尼苏达州都有院区。医务人员掌握几十种专业技能，齐心协力，确保高品质治疗与成功康复。
查找医生与医务人员：
Mayo Clinic 在亚利桑那州的凤凰城和斯克茨戴尔、佛罗里达州的杰克逊威尔，以及明尼苏达州的罗切斯特都有主要院区。Mayo Clinic 健康系统在几个州拥有十几个工作地点。
有关参观 Mayo Clinic 的更多信息，请在下面选择您的位置：
Research and innovation have been part of the Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medicine culture since its inception in the 1930s. Mayo Clinic physiologists and altitude scientists developed several items vital to military pilot safety in the World War II era. Before pressurized aircraft cabins for commercial airline passenger flights, aircraft flew at relatively low altitudes to avoid low-oxygen conditions. Our scientists developed an oxygen mask for pilots and passengers to wear during flights, allowing travel at higher altitudes above turbulent weather conditions. This made flights smoother and more tolerable to travelers.
A variety of other inventions and research developments produced by Mayo Clinic researchers were instrumental in the war effort and in promoting aviation safety for decades to come.
Today, Mayo physicians and researchers are investigating innovative tools designed to detect and combat spacial disorientation, vestibular abnormalities, and new oxygen delivery systems. These systems are to be installed in aircraft being developed by major manufacturers.
Other studies focus on human adaptation at high altitudes and remote locations. This work may help to reduce the effects of altitude sickness and allow safe air travel at altitudes greater than 40,000 feet (12,100 meters). These are called thin-air flights.
Mayo Clinic aerospace researchers are advancing various projects applicable to high-altitude aviation as well as programs for space travel. These include:
患者告诉我们，高互动质量、高度重视细节以及高就医效率都是他们从未经历过的医疗体验。查看妙佑医疗国际满意患者的故事。
Mayo Clinic与数百家保险公司合作，为数百万人提供网络内服务。
在大多数情况下，Mayo Clinic 不需要医师转诊。某些保险要求转诊，或有其它特定医疗方面的要求。所有优先预约都基于医疗需求。
了解更多关于在 Mayo Clinic 预约。
请联系您的保险公司，核实医保范围，并在就医之前获得任何所需的许可。您保险公司的客户服务号码通常印在您的保险卡背面。
Arizona
For appointments or more information, call 480-301-6566.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain time, Monday through Friday
Florida
For appointments or more information, call 904-953-2907.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday
Minnesota
For appointments or more information, call 507-284-4340.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday