FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
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AVIATION MEDICINE REPORTS

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-01/11

Title and Subtitle: Assessment of Head-Injured Aircrew: Comparison of FAA and USAF Procedures

Report Date: July 2001

Authors: Fiedler, E.R., Orme, D.R., Mills, W., and Patterson, J.C.

Abstract: The Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Air Force are similarly charged with determining whether aviators who have sustained head injuries are medically qualified to return to flying. The purpose of this paper is to first explain the major differences in missions between the USAF and the FAA, and then outline these procedures and rules, note their similarities and differences, address the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and discuss the possible reconciliation of these differences. Finally, brief case material are presented to illustrate both evaluation methods.

Key Words: Aviators, Pilots, Traumatic Head Injury, CogScreen

No. of Pages: 10