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 cause of medical unfitness for flying duty Classes 1/1A/2/2F/2S/3 is failure to clearly communicate in the English language in a manner compatible with safe and effective aviation operations. For initial applicants, this is determined by administration of the Reading Aloud Test. In questionable cases, the aviation unit commander, ATC supervisor, or other appropriate aviation official will provide a written recommendation to the Flight Surgeon (FS).

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