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The below disqualifying conditions are in addition to the disqualifying conditions listed in the Military Medical Accessions Medical Guide. Unlike medical waivers to join the military, medical waivers for aviation duty are much harder to come by.

a. The cause of medical unfitness for flying duty for all Classes, to include civilian aircrew members and ATCs, is an unsatisfactory AA (formerly ARMA) due to sociobehavioral factors that are considered unsuitable for or unadap­table to Army aeronautics. The unsatisfactory AA may be a manifestation of underlying psychiatric disease or may be accompanied by nonmedical disqualifications. (See AR 600–105.) The unsatisfactory AA is not a diagnosis, but is a determination by the FS and aviation commander or supervisor of suitability or adaptability. An unsatisfactory AA may be revealed by interview, records review, command referral, security investigations, or other documented sources.

b. Until reviewed by the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority, an unsatisfactory AA may exist if any of the conditions listed below are present. Trained aircrew with an unsatisfactory AA should also be referred to the aviation unit commander for administrative evaluation of nonmedical disqualifications and determination of fitness to retain the aircrew member’s aeronautical rating or status. (See AR 600–105.) Psychological and psychiatric consultation will be obtained as required by the FS or the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority. The aviation commander and FS will forward their evaluations and recommendations to the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority to make a final recommendation of medical fitness for flying duties. The Aviation Medicine Approving Authority will coordinate with the Chief, Army Aviation Branch, and aeromedical waiver authorities as required. When there is a question of observer bias or loss of objectivity, the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority may obtain additional medical evaluations from other impartial FSs or medical consultants.

(1) Deliberate or willful concealment of significant and/or disqualifying medical conditions on medical history forms or during FS interview.

(2) An attitude toward flying that is clearly less than optimal; for example, the person appears to be motivated overwhelmingly by the prestige, pay, or other secondary gains rather than the skill, achievement, and professionalism of flying itself.

(3) Clearly noticeable personality traits such as immaturity, self-isolation, difficulty with authority, poor interpersonal relationships, impaired impulse control, or other traits that may interfere with group functioning as a team member in an operational aviation setting, even though there are insufficient criteria for a personality disorder diagnosis.

(4) Review of the history or medical records reveals multiple or recurring physical complaints that strongly suggest either a somatization disorder or a propensity for physical symptoms during times of stress.

(5) A history of arrests, illicit drug use, or social “acting out” that may indicate immaturity, impulsiveness, or antisocial traits. Experimental use of drugs during adolescence, minor traffic violations, or clearly provoked impulsive episodes may be found fit after review by the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority.

(6) Significant prolonged or currently unresolved interpersonal or family problems, marital dysfunction, or significant family opposition or conflict concerning the soldier’s aviation career.

c. Until reviewed by the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority, an unsatisfactory AA may be given for lower levels (symptoms and signs) than those mentioned in b above if, in the opinion of the FS and aviation commander or civilian supervisor, mental or physical factors might be exacerbated under the stresses of Army aviation or the person might not be able to carry out his or her duties in a mature and responsible fashion. A person may be disqualified for any of a combination of factors listed in b above and/or due to personal habits or appearance indicative of attitudes of carelessness, poor motivation, or other characteristics that may be unsafe or undesirable in the aviation environment.

Flight Classes

Specific Flight Class Medical Examinations are:

Class 1 - Warrant Officer Aviation Duty Applicants
Class 1A - Commissioned Officer Aviation Duty Applicants
Class 2 - Current Aviators, Current Student Aviators, and Previous Aviators Returning to Aviation Service
Class 2F - Flight Surgeons, Including Those in Flight Surgeon Training
Class 2S - MOS 13F, Assigned to Aerial Fire Support Observer Duty
Class 3 - Non Rated Soldiers who Participate in Regular Flights (Crew Chiefs, Gunners, UAV Operators, etc.)
Class 4 - Air Traffic Control

Derived from Army Regulation 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness