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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. Malaria.

(1) Classes 1/1A. A history of malaria unless—

(a) There have been no symptoms for at least 6 months after completion of antimalarial therapy.

(b) Complete blood count and red blood cell morphology are normal.

(c) A thick smear is negative for parasites.

(2) Classes 2/2F/2S/3. A history of malaria unless adequate therapy in accordance with existing directives has been completed. The duration of removal from flying or ATC duties will vary with the type of malaria, the severity of the infection, and the response to treatment. However, personnel may not fly or control air traffic unless they have been afebrile for 7 days, their blood cells are normal in number and structure, their blood hemoglobin (HGB) is at least 12 grams percent, and a thick smear is negative for parasites. A thick smear and a medical evaluation will be performed every 2 weeks for at least 3 months after completion of antimalarial therapy.

b. Motion sickness.

(1) Classes 1/1A. History of motion sickness, other than isolated instances in childhood without emotional involve­ment; or history of previous elimination from flight training at any time due to airsickness.

(2) Classes 2/2F/2S/3. Recurrent or severe motion sickness of a degree to interfere with the safe and effective completion of the aviation mission. A history of simulator sickness is not disqualifying.

c. History of gravitational force intolerance below 5+Gz as manifested by gray-out, black-out, or gravity-induced loss of consciousness.

d. Drugs, medications, alcohol beverages, immunizations, blood donations, diving, and other exogenous factors in accordance with the guidelines established in AR 40–8 and APL, Medications.

e. For 2 hours following unprotected exposure to temporary incapacitating (riot control) agents or until all symptoms of eye and/or respiratory tract irritation disappears, whichever is longer, and until risk of secondary exposure from contaminated skin, clothing, equipment, or aircraft structures has been eliminated through cleansing, decontamination, change of clothing and equipment, or other measures. In no case will both the pilot and copilot be deliberately exposed at the same time unless one is wearing adequate protective equipment.

f. History of exposure to chemical (other than riot control agents), biological, and nuclear weapons until reviewed by the Aviation Medicine Approving Authority.

g. Presence of HIV–1 or antibody. (Civilian employees: Normally, neither applicants for employment nor current employees may be required to be tested for the presence of the HIV antibody. Civilian employees are not disqualified based solely on the presence of the HIV virus. See AR 600–110 and ATB 2, Army Flight Surgeon’s Administrative Guide.)

h. Chronic fatigue syndrome.

i. Sarcoidosis.

j. Other diseases and conditions that, based upon sound aeromedical principles, may in any way affect or compromise the individual’s health or well-being, flying safety, or mission completion. The local Flight Surgeon (FS) will make the initial determination and recommendations to the individual’s commander. The Aviation Medicine Approving Authority will make the final determination of medical fitness for flying duty.

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