Air Force Flying Physical
Medical Examination Standards
Lungs and Chest Wall
Flying Classes II and III.
Pulmonary tuberculosis, including tuberculous pleuritis or pleurisy of unknown etiol ogy with positive tuberculin test.
History of spontaneous pneumothorax. A single episode of spontaneous pneumotho rax does not require waiver if PA inspiratory and expiratory chest radiograph and thin-cut
CT-scan show full
expansion of the lung and no demonstrable pathology which would predispose to
recurrence.
Pulmonary
blebs or bullac, unless corrected by surgical treatment, recovery is com plete,
and pulmonary function tests are nonnal.
Bronchiectasis,
unless corrected by surgical treatment, recovery is complete, and pul monary
function tests are normal.
Sarcoidosis.
Pleural
effusion.
Empyema,
residual sacculation or unhealed sinuses of the chest wall following sur gery
for empyema.
Chronic
bronchitis if pulmonary function is impaired to such a degree as to interfere
with duty performance or to restrict activities.
Asthma
of any degree, or a history of asthma, reactive airway disease, intrinsic or
extrinsic bronchial asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, or 1gB (Immunoglobulin
E) mediated asthma.
Bullous
or generalized pulmonary emphysema, demonstrated by pulmonary function tests.
Cystic
disease of the lung.
Silicosis
or extensive pulmonary fibrosis with functional impairment or abnormal pulmonary
function tests.
History
of lung abscess.
Chronic
mycotic infection of the lung. Residuals of infection, including cavitation,
except for scattered nodular parenchymal and hilar calcifications.
Foreign
body in the trachea, bronchus, lung, or chest wall.
Chronic
adhesive (fibrous) pleuritis of sufficient extent to interfere with pulmonary
function and exercise tolerance.
History
of bi-lobectomy, lobectomy or multiple segmental resections if there is sig
nificant reduction of vital capacity, timed vital capacity, or maximum breathing
capacity, or if there is residual pulmonary pathology.
Suppurative
periostitis, osteomyelitis, caries, or necrosis of the ribs, sternum, clavi
cle, scapulae, or vertebrae.
Congenital
malformation or acquired deformities which reduce the chest capacity or diminish
respiratory or cardiac functions to a degree which interferes with vigorous
physical exer tion or produce disfigurement when the examinee is dressed.
Chronic
cystic mastitis.
History of pulmonary
embolus.
Silicone implants, injections, or saline inflated implants in breasts for cosmetic pur poses. See paragraph A3. 12.
Flying Classes I and IA. In addition to the above:
History of spontaneous pneumothorax. A single episode may be considered for waiver after 3 years if pulmonary evaluation shows complete recovery with full expansion of the lung and no demonstrable pathology that would predispose to recurrence.
Chronic adhesive pleuritis which produces any findings except minimal blunting of the costophrenic angles.
History of sarcoidosis.
Information derived from Air Force Instruction 48-23, Current as of Dec 2000.
