What disqualifies for a pilot slot?

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Napk1ns

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So I took a look at some information on the class of 2019 and saw that out of the 1,242 cadets in the class, only 502 cadets were potentially pilot qualified candidates. What caused so many cadets to be disqualified for a pilot slot? I'm wondering because if they passed the DoDMERB, I'd like to know what disqualifying conditions exist, aside from vision, that keeps people from becoming a pilot?
 
Vision and Height/weight are the big two i can think of. Someone more knowledgeable than I can tell you the specifics.
 
Napk1ns said:
So I took a look at some information on the class of 2019 and saw that out of the 1,242 cadets in the class, only 502 cadets were potentially pilot qualified candidates. What caused so many cadets to be disqualified for a pilot slot? I'm wondering because if they passed the DoDMERB, I'd like to know what disqualifying conditions exist, aside from vision, that keeps people from becoming a pilot?
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There are labs done with flight physicals that aren’t done with a DODMERB exam.

For example, for flight physicals, they will see if you have anemia by checking your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Your urine will be checked for blood, protein, and glucose. Your blood sugar will be checked too.

An EKG will be done on a flight physical which can be another source for a DQ.

Finally, your eye exam will include a cycloplegic refraction which is not done on a DODMERB exam (only a manifest refraction is done). Eye drops will be used to paralyze your eye muscles so you cannot accommodate. This basically means you won’t be able to change the focusing powers of your eyes to help you see the eye chart better. A cycloplegic refraction gives a more a true picture of your eyes’ refractive error which can lead to more DQs for flight duty.

There are a bunch of other ones but the above are the primary examples.

But to clarify, what I’m saying above is a description of what’s done during the flight physical done at the academies during the 3rd or 4th year. I’m just pointing out some of the differences between a physical done specifically for flight duty and that done for DODMERB. The purpose of the DODMERB exam isn’t to qualify or disqualify for flight duty, so there’s an inherent difference there.

As an aside, one of the things they do on the DODMERB exam that isn’t related to academy qualification but it is for pilot qualification is the anthropometrics. It’s when the DODMERB doc (or nurse) will measure your sitting height (a dedicated flight physical will also measure leg length and arm span).
 
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FACTS =

Potentially Pilot Qualified is a designation established by USAFA, not DoDMERB. I refer you to USAFA Admissions for that type answer.

GoCubbies is correct. The one clarification is that the anthropometric measurements in the DoDMERB exam is very rudimentary. Again, it is used for a “ballpark swag” to ensure feet can reach the pedals. The actual test performed during an actual flight physical, is extremely sophisticated and is used to determine PPQ for a number of specified airframes.
 
MullenLE said:
The one clarification is that the anthropometric measurements in the DoDMERB exam is very rudimentary. Again, it is used for a “ballpark swag” to ensure feet can reach the pedals. The actual test performed during an actual flight physical, is extremely sophisticated and is used to determine PPQ for a number of specified airframes.
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My recollection, back in the day (mid 80's ) is the test wasn't real technical..kinda sitting on a box like contraption, measuring different factors. It went well beyond height and reaching the pedals....one of the critical measurements back then was the length between the hip and knees (femur), because almost all Naval Aviators and NFO's did some time in the TA-4. The TA-4 had a pretty small cockpit, and rumor had it that if your upper leg was too long, everything below the knees would be left behind if you ejected. I'm sure that some brilliant person has come up with a way to do all those measurements digitally now
 
I can tell you from a AFRotc perspective. Once you get a pilot spot, you go in for a 2-3 medical examination that tests every part of your body with a whole day spent on your eyes. They are going to find stuff that no one has ever caught before. My sons friend was disqualifed because they found some type of cataracts in his eyes that he was probably born with. Made no difference to his vision but he was out. Another guy was disqualifed because his eyes werent postioned correctly
 
GoCubbies said:
There are labs done with flight physicals that aren’t done with a DODMERB exam.

For example, for flight physicals, they will see if you have anemia by checking your hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Your urine will be checked for blood, protein, and glucose. Your blood sugar will be checked too.

An EKG will be done on a flight physical which can be another source for a DQ.

Finally, your eye exam will include a cycloplegic refraction which is not done on a DODMERB exam (only a manifest refraction is done). Eye drops will be used to paralyze your eye muscles so you cannot accommodate. This basically means you won’t be able to change the focusing powers of your eyes to help you see the eye chart better. A cycloplegic refraction gives a more a true picture of your eyes’ refractive error which can lead to more DQs for flight duty.

There are a bunch of other ones but the above are the primary examples.

But to clarify, what I’m saying above is a description of what’s done during the flight physical done at the academies during the 3rd or 4th year. I’m just pointing out some of the differences between a physical done specifically for flight duty and that done for DODMERB. The purpose of the DODMERB exam isn’t to qualify or disqualify for flight duty, so there’s an inherent difference there.

As an aside, one of the things they do on the DODMERB exam that isn’t related to academy qualification but it is for pilot qualification is the anthropometrics. It’s when the DODMERB doc (or nurse) will measure your sitting height (a dedicated flight physical will also measure leg length and arm span).
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Thank you for the response. Also, do you know if these are waiverable?
 
Napk1ns said:
Thank you for the response. Also, do you know if these are waiverable?
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Pilot tends to be a very hard position with very few waivers available. For Navy Pilot, one needs to pass a Class I physical. I assume it is similar for Air-force as well. The requirements are outlined here:

General Standards - Class 1 Pilot Medical Requirements

FAA Pilot General Standards for Class 1 Aeromedical Exam. Flight Physical miscellaneous requirements for Air Transport Pilots and First Class Airman Certicate.
flightphysical.com flightphysical.com
 
Napk1ns said:
Thank you for the response. Also, do you know if these are waiverable?
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Are you asking if the tests themselves are waiverable or if waivers are granted for medical issues that might DQ you from flying?

The answer to the first question is a resounding no, the answer to the second is it depends.

I'm on several waivers and was still cleared to fly. It all depends on what the issue is.
 
BDHuff09 said:
Are you asking if the tests themselves are waiverable or if waivers are granted for medical issues that might DQ you from flying?

The answer to the first question is a resounding no, the answer to the second is it depends.

I'm on several waivers and was still cleared to fly. It all depends on what the issue is.
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I was wondering if the disqualifying conditions were waiverable. To the extent of my knowledge, I do not have anything which would disqualify me (seeing that I have 20/20 vision, no visual acuity problems, normal blood test results, etc) however I know that is subject to change and what I know is incredibly limited when compared to the actual medical examinations. Also, if you don't mind, would you share what conditions you had wavered?
 
Napk1ns said:
I was wondering if the disqualifying conditions were waiverable. To the extent of my knowledge, I do not have anything which would disqualify me (seeing that I have 20/20 vision, no visual acuity problems, normal blood test results, etc) however I know that is subject to change and what I know is incredibly limited when compared to the actual medical examinations. Also, if you don't mind, would you share what conditions you had wavered?
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Eczema, seasonal pollen, and LASIK( funny enough, the Navy will give you eye surgery to fly, but technically eye surgery is disqualifying to fly, they just give you a waiver if the surgery turns out okay).

I'm not trying to scare you, but there are a number of things that you might not be aware of that might disqualify you, even if you are in good health. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try, it just means that you should have a back up plan in case you are disqualified.

There were a not insignificant number of my classmates that were told they were fit to fly, only to come down to Pensacola to start flight training and find out that they had something wrong with them. One person had 20/20 vision but the shape of his eye was abnormal so he was medically attrited. Had zero effect on his day to day life. Several women I know attrited for low iron levels. Migraines is another common issue.
 
MullenLE said:
FACTS =

Potentially Pilot Qualified is a designation established by USAFA, not DoDMERB. I refer you to USAFA Admissions for that type answer.

GoCubbies is correct. The one clarification is that the anthropometric measurements in the DoDMERB exam is very rudimentary. Again, it is used for a “ballpark swag” to ensure feet can reach the pedals. The actual test performed during an actual flight physical, is extremely sophisticated and is used to determine PPQ for a number of specified airframes.
Click to expand...
Hijacking this thread - is there a Potentinaly Pilot Qualified designator for the Coast Guard? DS’s status is listed as Qualified in DOBMERB. I do see your comment above that say PPQ is a term designated by the AF.
 
No.
Only AF off the DoDMERB exam. The other Services do their own thing AFTER admission.:)
 
Hijacking this thread. I want to fly more than anything. Is there any way to see if I am medically qualified for a pilot slot before going to an academy?
 
i_like_planes said:
Hijacking this thread. I want to fly more than anything. Is there any way to see if I am medically qualified for a pilot slot before going to an academy?
Click to expand...
have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. Hopefully, one that has experienced with military flying medicine. I am sure there are countless reasons why people get disqualified, but you hear about vision all the time.
 
i_like_planes said:
Hijacking this thread. I want to fly more than anything. Is there any way to see if I am medically qualified for a pilot slot before going to an academy?
Click to expand...
Life is hard. I couldn't fly due to eyesight so I became an infantry officer instead. My nephew was able to have his eyesight surgically corrected (PRK was the requirement I believe) and subsequently rained loud things down on people who had issues with Americans being alive.
Research the crap out of this before you even consider doing anything. I don't mean looking at this forum or Reddit, get down and dirty with DoD and USAF/USN medical folks.
There are also things to look out for, too. I know a guy who went to AF flight school only to get disqualified in the pressure chamber as a 2nd Lt. He went all that way and then BAM!
 
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