Flight surgeon

Flight Surgeon

A Flight Surgeon is a medical professional who specializes in the healthcare of aviation personnel. This can include pilots, aircrews, and astronauts. Flight surgeons are primarily responsible for maintaining the health, safety, and well-being of these individuals, both on the ground and while they are in flight.

History

The concept of a flight surgeon was first introduced during World War I, when the military recognized the need for medical professionals who understood the unique health challenges faced by pilots and aircrews. The first official flight surgeons were appointed by the United States Army Air Corps in the 1920s.

Role and Responsibilities

Flight surgeons perform a variety of roles and responsibilities, including:

• Conducting pre-flight physical examinations
• Providing in-flight medical care
• Advising pilots on health and safety issues related to flight
• Conducting research on the effects of flight on the human body
• Training and certifying other healthcare professionals in aviation medicine

Training and Certification

In order to become a flight surgeon, a medical professional must first complete a residency in a primary care specialty, such as family medicine, internal medicine, or emergency medicine. They must then complete additional training in aerospace medicine, which includes learning about the physiological and psychological effects of flight, as well as the specific health risks faced by aviation personnel.

Once this training is complete, the individual can then apply for certification as a flight surgeon through the Aerospace Medical Association or a similar professional organization.

See Also

• Aerospace Medicine
• Aviation Medicine
• Military Medicine

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  U.S. Navy Flight Surgeon, Lt. Cmdr. Scott Carlson performs an eye examination

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  United States Air Force Flight Surgeon Badge

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  John Glenn undergoing medical examination

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  John Glenn EKG

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  Navy Aviation Warfare Insignia

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  Army Flight Surgeon Insignia