Aviation Medical Examiner

Overview
An Aviation Medical Examiner (AME), in the United States and other countries, is a physician designated by the local aviation authority given the authority to perform physical examinations and issue aviation medical certificates.

The International Civil Aviation Organization has established basic medical rules for determining whether a pilot is fit to act in that capacity, and it is codified in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. However, most countries' aviation authorities have developed their own specific details and clarifications to be used in addition to - frequently more stringently than - the high-level standards prescribed by ICAO.

AMEs in the United States
AMEs are private physicians, not employees of the FAA, and are selected, trained, and authorized by local offices of the FAA. 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).

AMEs in the JAA area
Member countries of the Joint Aviation Authorities in Europe issue their own medical certificates. Most now do so according to the established guidance provided by Joint Aviation Regulations-FCL 3 (Medical), in a similar arrangement to the US whereby the local aviation authority in each country appoints AMEs.

The JAA regulations prescribe two standards of medical certificate. Class 2 is required for private flying on a Private Pilot License and the more stringent class 1 is for professional pilots (Commercial Pilot License or Airline Transport Pilot License). An initial Class 1 medical examination must be performed by the Aeromedical Centre (AMC) of the country which will issue the license, but may be renewed by any suitably authorised AME.

Medical regulation in the JAA area is expected to gradually change in or after 2008 as the European Aviation Safety Agency takes over responsibility.