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AOHC 2026 Concurrent Sessions

Clinical Occupational and Environment Medicine

203 - A Short Introduction to Medical Certification of Civilian Pilots

Monday, April 20, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM CT
Location: Chicago Ballroom VIII
Claim 1.0 CME

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.


Disclosure(s):

David M. OBrien, MD MPH: Abbott Laboratories: Stockholder/Ownership Interest (excluding diversified mutual funds) (Ongoing); Medtronics: Stockholder/Ownership Interest (excluding diversified mutual funds) (Ongoing)
Samuel Ko, MD, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose
Session Description: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to undergo periodic medical examinations in support of aviation and public safety. Our session will provide a brief overview of FAA medical standards contained in 14 CFR Part 67. Four (4) case studies will illustrate aviation medical standards commonly encountered by Aviation Medical Examiners (physicians designated by the FAA for pilot physicals). We will also describe how occupational medical physicians can apply to be designated as FAA medical examiners.

Educational Gaps: 1. Identify common medical conditions which may result in safety concerns and performance decrement in the aviation environment.
2. Identify references physicians can utilize to identify the FAA medical standards required for air transport, commercial and general aviation pilots.
3. Identify how interested occupational medicine physicians can apply to become FAA designated medical examiners.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: Transportation Section

Has this session previously been presented?: No.

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: FAA aviation medical standards help ensure public safety and mishap prevention by ensuring pilots flying in the nation's aerospace system are fit and healthy, and as a result, are unlikely to experience sudden or subtle incapacitation.

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, the participant will be able to identify common medical conditions which may result in safety concerns and performance decrement in the aviation environment
  • Upon completion, the participant will be able to identify references physicians can utilize to identify the FAA medical standards required for air transport, commercial and general aviation pilots.
  • Upon completion, the participant will be able to identify how interested occupational medicine physicians can apply to become FAA designated medical examiners.

    Faculty(s)

  • David M. OBrien, MD MPH

    Manager, Aerospace Medical Certification Division
    Federal Aviation Administration

    Handouts

  • Samuel Ko, MD, MPH

    Flight Surgeon
    Federal Aviation Administration

    • Moderator(s)

  • TT

    Tiffany Tam, MD, MPH

    Resident Physician
    Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health