ALPA Aeromedical

ALPA's Aeromedical Office, which pilots often call AMAS (Aviation Medicine Advisory Service), routinely works to help pilots stay on, or return to, the line. AMAS's mission broadly encompasses two main functions: policy consultation with ALPA and individual pilot medical assistance. In addition to advising ALPA's National Officers on medical issues, AMAS's consultation includes such things as administering the Human Intervention & Motivation Study (HIMS) program, helping with medical research, petitioning the FAA regarding medical policy changes, and consulting with ALPA Master Executive Council volunteer Aeromedical, Pilot Assistance, Professional Standards, Critical Incident Response Program, and Training Committees.

Upon an ALPA pilot request, the Aeromedical advisors review detailed information about the individual pilot's medical problems as they might relate to health, welfare, continued employment, disability, or FAA medical certification. This special service is provided at no charge to any ALPA member in good standing.

AMAS Matters
The Aeromedical Office was established in 1969 in response to an ALPA 1968 Board of Directors action. The Association retained Dr. Richard Masters to advise ALPA's president and to provide professional medical assistance to ALPA members on request. Under Dr. Masters' direction, AMAS provided assistance to more than 15,000 ALPA pilots and developed a medical specialist referral system to help evaluate and treat disorders that might threaten a pilot's FAA medical certification.

Over the years, AMAS has also been instrumental in getting the FAA to change many restrictive policies and allow pilots to regain or maintain their medical certification, often with conditions that the FAA previously considered permanently disqualifying, such as coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, isolated seizure, and a number of others.

The Aeromedical Office is also responsible for administering the ALPA HIMS contract, funded by the FAA, which identifies, treats, and helps return to duty pilots suffering from alcoholism or substance dependence. Since 1973, with the cooperation of the FAA and almost all the airlines in North America, more than 4,000 airline pilots have entered this unique program to save their flying careers and, in many cases, their lives. For more information, check out the HIMS Web site and the HIMS: The Quiet Success Story article in the November/December 2007 issue of Air Line Pilot. 

In January 1993, Dr. Masters retired as the Aeromedical advisor. Dr. Donald Hudson was appointed as his successor and remains in that position today. Assisting him in AMAS's Aurora, Colorado, office are Dr. Phillip E. Parker, Dr. Quay C. Snyder, Dr. Robert W. Weien, and Dr. Thomas T. Yasuhara; Gerri Forbes, the office administrator; Jay Clyde, the FAA case manager; and administrative support personnel.

Experts on Call
An ALPA member who contacts the ALPA Aeromedical Office will first speak with one of the administrative assistants, who are responsible for obtaining initial information (ALPA member number, name, airline, general reason for call, etc.). An assistant also confirms that the pilot is an ALPA member in good standing.

Once the assistant obtains initial information, one of the physicians will return the call (usually within two hours) to discuss the case and to answer questions. If the doctor recommends separate diagnostic evaluations by an outside physician, the pilot is responsible for those costs. When pilots are referred to an outside physician, AMAS typically recommends medical consultants who are known for their expertise in a specific specialty of medicine and are usually also acquainted with aviation medicine principles.

Each specific referral is tailored to the needs of the individual pilot and depends upon the medical problem, the pilot's past medical history, and the availability of specialists. In every instance, the office carefully analyzes all data to ensure that each appeal case is completely documented.

Often, problems arising in FAA certification are secondary to, or caused by, inadequate or improper outside medical management. Busy private physicians and clinics usually do not have the time or interest to prepare the detailed paperwork that the FAA requires. The AMAS staff can also advise a pilot about how best to prepare a case for presentation to the FAA and the most expeditious way to have the case successfully resolved.

With the pilot's permission, AMAS staff can communicate directly with the FAA and serve as an advocate for pilots with medical problems. However, in each case, the medical advice that AMAS gives to the pilot will be consistent with good medical practice and give appropriate weight to the individual's health and ability to safely perform airline flying. Of course, the advice provided to the pilot is only that. Ultimately, the pilot decides whether to follow the course of action that AMAS has recommended.