More of this Feature • Aviation Medical Standards

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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.

The causes for medical unfitness for flying duty Classes 1/1A/2/2F/2S/3 are:

a. Acute, self-limited rhinitis when accompanied by eustachian tube dysfunction until clear of all symptoms.

b. History of allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis after age 12 requiring the use of antihistamines for a cumulative period greater than 14 days per year; or systemic steroids, topical steroid, or mast–cell stabilization therapy, or immunotherapy at any time.

c. Deviation of the nasal septum or septal spurs that results in symptomatic obstruction of airflow, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, or interference of sinus drainage.

d. History of nasal polyps, or sinus polyps, or retention cysts.

e. Sinusitis.

(1) Classes 1/1A.

(a) Acute sinusitis within the last 5 years unless current sinus x-ray series is normal.

(b) History of or x-ray evidence of chronic sinusitis, and/or surgery to treat chronic sinusitis.

(2) Classes 2/2F/2S/3.

(a) Acute sinusitis until resolved.

(b) Chronic sinusitis and/or surgery to treat chronic sinusitis.

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