Aviation Medical Examiner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), in the United States, is a physician designated by the Federal Aviation Administration and given the authority to perform physical examinations and issue airman medical certificates. A military flight surgeon can act as an AME. AMEs are sometimes called "civilian flight surgeons."

AMEs are private physicians, not employees of the FAA, and are selected, trained, and authorized by local FAA offices. A pilot can go to any examiner from a list of designated doctors and undergo the examination at any time. New AMEs are designated based upon the local demand for aeromedical certification services.

All AMEs may issue second-class or third-class certificates. Some AMEs are designated "Senior Aviation Medical Examiner", and may issue first-class certificates, which are required for pilots flying in air carrier operations. An AME may also issue combined medical/student pilot certificates.

As of 2006, the FAA had approximately 4,750 civilian AME's located in 9 regions, 410 international AMEs located in 91 countries, and 400 federal AMEs (military, U.S. Coast Guard, NASA, and other agencies).