Mayo Clinic Clear Approach

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we discuss a couple of conditions not commonly seen in pilots but which can make a difference in terms of aeromedical certification.  We look at pectus excavatum, otherwise known as "funnel chest," and how pilots with speech impediments can still qualify for their FAA medical certificate.

Send us Fan Mail LADA, or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults, is often misdiagnosed and is sometimes called "diabetes 1.5." On this episode, we'll review what LADA is, what to look for, and how it affects aeromedical certification.

Send us Fan Mail Pacemakers are amazing devices that can help regulate heart rhythms, synchronize arrhythmias, and can be career saving for certain pilots.   On this episode, we discuss certification requirements for aviators who will need Special Issuance Authorization for pacemakers.  A little preparation goes a long way.

Send us Fan Mail Psoriasis is a chronic and incurable condition involving the skin that is sometime associated with arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.  There are a variety of treatments for this disease and we discuss aeromedical implications to minimize delays in certification. 

Send us Fan Mail In the process of conducting dozens of flight physicals, there are questions that periodically come up when filling out the medical application form.  On this episode, we review some of those head-scratching anecdotes and how to efficiently complete the process.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we review aeromedical certification requirements for a relatively uncommon disease called hemochromatosis --  a condition that involves elevated iron levels in the blood that can result in liver failure and may affect multiple other organs. Screened and taken care of early, it is completely controllable but left unchecked, can result in significant problems.  We r...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we go single pilot and cover one of the most common valvular heart issues -- mitral valve regurgitation. For stable established cases of mild severity, a pilot might not even need Special Issuance Authorization.  CACI qualification is possible, and if appropriate testing is obtained ahead of the time of the flight physical, aeromedical certification is a streamlin...

Send us Fan Mail Drones, love 'em or hate 'em, are here to stay. The FAA announced groundbreaking approvals this week for commercial drone operations of delivery packages involving unmanned aircraft outside the sight line of drone operators -- paving the way for packages to be delivered remotely to your doorstep using drones operated by pilots miles away. With these changes come issues a...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we reflect on EAA's AirVenture 2024, Boeing's forecast for the future of personnel needs in the field of aviation, and CACI qualification criteria for chronic Hepatitis C.

Send us Fan Mail One of the most common medical conditions encountered by pilots is elevated blood pressure.  On this episode we discuss what is allowed for maximum blood pressure levels, what medications are approved, and the options available to pilots who find themselves dealing with hypertension.

Send us Fan Mail Mitch and Clay return from vacation and step back up to the Clear Approach podcast microphone. On this episode, they discuss updates to the FAA's approach to "uncomplicated" anxiety and depression, review the FAA streamlining efforts for re-certifying pilots with Special Issuance Authorization related to coronary artery disease and more.

Send us Fan Mail Most of us take for granted the bean-shaped organs located along our flanks that are responsible for filtering the blood and maintaining fluid balance in the body.  But what happens when things go wrong with the beans?  How will this affect aeromedical certification for pilots?   This episode covers current requirements for obtaining and maintaining your medical certificate  for i...

Send us Fan Mail Several announcements this week to FAA aviation medical examiners by the agency will significantly decrease the burden on pilots with certain uncomplicated mental health conditions,  eliminate the need for exercise stress tests for renewal of Special Issuance Authorization for pilots with coronary artery disease -- and other streamlining efforts are on the horizon.

Send us Fan Mail The presence of a tremor has, in the past, delayed efforts of pilots to become medically certified.  Use of CACI criteria now streamlines the process.  In this episode, we review what is required and touch base on the new FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law last week.

Send us Fan Mail Pilots often forget to report arthritis or musculoskeletal injuries on their FAA medical application.  On this episode, we walk.....er, tiptoe....through the process of reporting these common conditions and what is allowed by the FAA to maintain your flight physical.

Send us Fan Mail The Aerospace Medical Association (ASMA) is the largest gathering of aviation and aerospace experts in the country with its recent annual meeting concluding in Chicago this week.  We discuss some of the highlights and then review recent FAA updates regarding use of certain medications for weight loss.

Send us Fan Mail Asthma is a common condition in the general population and is often worse during allergy seasons in the spring and fall. Is being diagnosed with asthma a significant barrier to obtaining a medical certificate?  We discuss stages of asthma severity and how FAA medical certification may be affected.

Send us Fan Mail Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent treated heart arrhythmia. We meet with a cardiology expert to discuss assessment, treatment, and new trends in taking care of the condition -- and then review your pathway to aeromedical certification.

Send us Fan Mail The thyroid is often considered the "black box" gland -- not only to patients and pilots, but also to their providers.  In this episode, an expert in thyroid disease helps navigate common thyroid conditions, and we discuss the resulting aeromedical implications.  Can a pilot still get a medical with thyroid problems, and, if so, what limitations will there be on the cert...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode we review current events --  from three new antidepressant medications announced by the FAA as allowable for aeromedical certification to a recent report released by the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) regarding advances in mental health disclosure and certification.

Send us Fan Mail Diabetes is a condition that not only can affect your health, but also your FAA aeromedical certification.  On this episode we interview an expert in diabetes who is also a pilot to learn more about detection, treatment, and ultimately, how to preserve your medical certificate.

Send us Fan Mail Operation of remote unmanned aircraft, otherwise known as drone operation, has become the fastest growing segment of aviation in the country.  What does it take to become a drone pilot and do you have to have a medical certificate to fly one?

Send us Fan Mail One of the most common issues affecting pilots is that of visual acuity.  On this episode, a Mayo Clinic optometrist covers the most common eye issues facing pilots. Are those aviator shades worth it?  Should pilots be worried about cataracts or glaucoma, and what about monovision correction or LASIK? Listen to find out....

Send us Fan Mail Although almost everyone experiences ups and downs of mood and attitude, some pilots encounter mental health conditions that require detailed assessments and testing in order to qualify for their medical certificate.  In this episode, we visit with Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Greg Couser to better understand what goes into these detailed evaluations and how aviators can best prep...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode we dust off things in the hangar, get ready for the prime of flying season, and discuss hot air ballooning ups and downs -- from what's required in an annual inspection to the angst of "aeronauts" having to obtain a Class II medical certificate.