| Air Force Officer Job Descriptions & Qualifications | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 43AX - AEROSPACE PHYSIOLOGIST | |||||||||||||||||||||
AFSC
43A4, Staff Specialty Summary. Manages aerospace physiological training and
hyperbaric therapy units. Instructs personnel in aerospace physiology
and aviation human factors. Plans, conducts, and directs aerospace physiology
research. Manages specialized physiology support divisions for high altitude
projects. Manages life support equipment functions when required; and
supervises aerospace physiology programs at Air Staff or major command
staff level. Related DoD Occupational Group: 6H.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Manages all functions of USAF aerospace physiological training units
or flights. Plans and directs all activities of personnel and programs
required to train aircrews and others in the physiological hazards and
human factor problems of flying operations.
Organizes and prepares instructional materials. Studies objectives and
requirements for physiological training. Prepares assignments, demonstrations,
group activities, training aids, references, and related material required
to supplement course outline.
Instructs personnel such as trainee flight surgeons, flight nurses,
observers, and aircrew in aerospace physiology, human factors and related
subjects. Instructs trainees in such subjects as physics of atmosphere,
physiology of respiration, accelerative forces, physiology of blood and
circulation, effects of temperature, physiological effects of altitude,
self imposed stresses, aviation human factors, circadian rhythm, night
vision, noise and vibration, bailout from high altitudes, and jungle,
water, and arctic survival. Demonstrates physiological aids used in flying
such as oxygen equipment, antigravity suits, ejection seats, survival
equipment, pressure suits, and protective helmets. Briefs students on
safety precautions associated with flying and life support equipment.
Indoctrinates aircrews on chemical defense equipment and procedures.
Coordinates aerospace physiological training programs. Confers with
operations officers, flying safety officers, and staff officers on changes
in texts, training project outlines, general class progress, disciplinary
problems, examination procedures and tests, school records, and related
subjects. Develops new training aids. Advises education and training staff
officers on such matters as course curricula revision and preparing training
manuals. Advises local commanders, operations officers, flying safety
officers, and flight surgeons on aerospace physiology and human factor
problems. Helps organize and present flying safety programs and meetings.
Arranges special evaluation and diagnostic chamber hyperbaric "flights."
Supervises operation of aerospace physiology training devices. Ensures
safe operation of such devices as hyperbaric chambers, pressure suit group
chambers, disorientation trainers, and ejection seat trainers. Supervises
minor repairs of chambers, ejection seat trainers, disorientation trainers,
and night vision trainers. Interviews trainees before chamber flights
to prevent unwarranted chamber reactions because of trainee’s physical
condition. Supervises and performs necessary measures in managing chamber
reaction cases.
Manages operation of hyperbaric chambers. Responsible for operation
and maintenance of hyperbaric chambers and associated equipment. Ensures
proficiency of hyperbaric chamber teams. Participates in training and
treatment "dives." Assists in the transport and treatment of patients
requiring hyperbaric treatment.
Plans, coordinates, directs, and performs aerospace biotechnology research
and development. Develops requirements for specific research and development
projects. Forms policies and procedures governing establishment and performance
of research and development projects, including requirements for funds,
facilities, material, equipment, and personnel. Resolves technical problems
involved in conducting research, reviewing and interpreting scientific
data, formulating new concepts, and recommending new approaches. Directs
preparation of technical reports on research projects.
Manages specialized units supporting high altitude and performance flying
activities. Plans and develops physiological, survival and life support
equipment (including pressure suits) and training programs required to
provide for the safety of aircrews assigned to these projects. Supervises
aircrew preflight and post flight preparation and conditioning of aircrews,
including donning and removing specialized equipment, and removing aircrews
from the aircraft. Plans, directs, and conducts physiological research
and equipment development in support of these activities. Monitors industrial
contracts for development of life support systems.
Coordinates and manages physiological activities at air staff and command
level. May function on staff of the Surgeon General, HQ USAF, or major
command surgeon as manager for aerospace physiological activities.
Specialty Qualifications:
Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of aerospace physiology and
closely related subjects.
Education. For entry into this specialty, undergraduate academic
specialization in physiology, zoology, or other related science acceptable
to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF, is mandatory.
Training. For award of AFSC 43A3, completion of an Air Force aerospace
physiology course is mandatory.
Experience. For award of AFSC 43A3, a minimum of 24 months of
experience is mandatory in aerospace physiology assignments.
Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:
For entry into this specialty, ability to speak distinctly.
For entry, award, and retention of AFSCs 43A1/A3, physical qualification
for flying class III according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examination and
Standards. Specialty Shredouts:
Above Information Derived from AFMAN 36-2105
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