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Mayo Clinic Concept: Remote Flight Physicals

As the field of AMEs continues to thin and demand for FAA medical certification rises, kiosk-based flight physicals could make a lot of sense.

A screen grab from the MedWand Solutions Virtual Care Clinic software displaying real-time data from an electronic stethoscope.
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Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA medical certification system is facing a severe crisis due to a drastic shortage of Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) and extensive delays, leading to capable pilots being grounded.
  • Mayo Clinic's Aerospace Medicine department is developing a pioneering concept for remote flight physicals using virtual examination kiosks and biometric software.
  • This initiative aims to address the AME shortage and provide more accessible certification, primarily targeting healthier pilots as a supplementary option rather than a full replacement for complex in-person exams.
  • The success of these remote physical studies is crucial as the current FAA system cannot keep up with demand, making technological solutions vital to prevent a widespread grounding of pilots.
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The respected Mayo Clinic’s Aerospace Medicine department seems the perfect clinical advisor to the FAA, particularly at a time when the agency’s medical certification division can’t seem to keep up with demand.

Moreover, with large health care companies buying up mom-and-pop medical practices, there’s a huge shortage of AMEs available to administer exams and issue medical certificates. That’s grounding otherwise capable and fit pilots. With virtual medical visits common in the pedestrian world, why not virtual visits with AMEs, too?

Larry Anglisano

Larry Anglisano is the former Editor in Chief of sister publication Aviation Consumer magazine. He's an active land, sea and glider pilot, and has over 30 years experience as an avionics tech.

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