Aviation medicine
We tell you everything you need to know about aviation and space medicine: what health certificates it can issue for pilots, air traffic controllers, mechanics and cabin crew members, and the procedures it uses most. Book your consultation at one of our hospitals.
What is aviation medicine?
Aviation and aerospace medicine is an eminently preventive speciality which focuses on how to mitigate the effects on the human body of changes in atmospheric pressure when flying or engaged in aerospace activities. It is also aimed at certifying that air traffic controllers and flight staff, both commercial and sport, meet the health requirements established by the European (EASA) and Spanish (AESA) regulations.
What does aviation medicine study?
Aviation and aerospace medicine specialists study the characteristics of space and the troposphere to assess how they affect people when they spend a lot of time in space and the troposphere. In this way, they can establish protocols to minimise complications and apply the most suitable therapies when they return to their normal living conditions. They also determine the perfect state of health to withstand these changes and issue health certificates with minimum requirements to work as a pilot or cabin crew member in accordance with AESA and EASA regulations:
- EASA passenger cabin crew certificate (TCP).
- EASA commercial airline or helicopter pilot certificate.
- EASA Sport Pilot Certificate (aeroplane, helicopter, balloon, glider, sailplane, microlight...)
- On-board mechanic EASA certificate.
With the increase in the number of people travelling by air, the research field of aviation medicine has also expanded and includes the pathologies affecting those who are subject to sudden changes in pressure, sit in a confined space for long periods of time or suffer from decompensations in biological rhythms caused by passing through several time zones in a short period of time.
Which patients is it for?
Aviation medicine is aimed at those who want to dedicate themselves to aviation activity, professionally or for leisure reasons; this speciality establishes the aptitude of the candidates, and manages their medical itinerary if they need a diagnosis and/or treatment in order to obtain the corresponding medical certification required by the international aviation regulations.
Techniques, procedures and diagnostic methods
Procedures in aviation and aerospace medicine must be very precise, especially diagnostic techniques to detect anomalies that prevent a person from performing a job involving continuous pressure and time zone changes.
The requirements vary according to the candidate’s aviation licence, which will determine the type of medical certificate required.
The most important tests include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): makes a record of the electrical activity of the heart to detect heart rhythm disorders and other conditions. It is performed together with other anthropometric measurements (weight, height, blood pressure).
- Psycho-technical test: examines mathematical skills, perception, spatial orientation, concrete and abstract reasoning, verbal aptitude, attention and concentration, in addition to a psychological profile, depending on the type of certification required.
- Blood and urine tests: used to rule out infections, diseases or the use of narcotic substances.
- Colour blindness test: tests for dyschromatopsia using Ishihara’s pseudoisochromatic plates, in which a number formed by coloured dots is represented on a circle with bubbles of a different shade.
Diseases and symptoms
Main pathologies and diseases
In addition to issuing health certificates for pilots and cabin crew, aviation medicine treats pathologies such as:
- Jet lag
- Hypoxia
- Kinetosis
- Barotrauma
- Fear of flying
- Economy class syndrome
- Black vision
- Red vision
- Spatial adaptation syndrome
Related symptoms
Some of the symptoms that these diseases present include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Cold sweats
- Ear pain
- Hearing loss
- Pallor
- Sleep disorders
- Vision with black spots
- Difficulty concentrating
- Accelerated heart rate
- Difficulty walking
About the aviation medicine consultation
We solve any doubts you may have before you see the specialist
In cases involving certification, the aviation medicine consultation involves taking a medical history and performing a thorough physical examination. You are advised to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to take off and put back on again.
What should you keep in mind?
To take the tests to obtain a flight certificate you must arrive for your appointment not having eaten or drunk anything for at least six hours (except for medication unless otherwise indicated) and with a full bladder if possible, although it is NOT necessary for it to be the first urine of the morning. In addition, you are required to wear the prescription glasses you normally wear and not to have worn contact lenses within 48 hours, and to bring your prescription, which can be requested from your optician.
What should I take to the appointment?
We advise that you bring to the appointment the relevant medical reports if you have suffered from any significant illness, and a list of the medication you might be taking.
You may receive a questionnaire a few days before your appointment asking about your medical history, usual medication and other specific questions that will allow us to anticipate certain aspects of your consultation, helping us to expedite and personalise your care. To do this, we recommend that you download the free Quirónsalud Patient Portal application, which will facilitate communication with your healthcare team.
If you have any further questions, please contact us through the Patient Services telephone number: 900 301 013
