Mayo Clinic Clear Approach

Send us Fan Mail Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related disorders are some of the most common conditions requiring Special Issuance Authorization clearance from the FAA.  On this episode, we hear from a sleep disorders expert followed by discussion on aeromedical implications.

Send us Fan Mail In between carpet upgrades to the perch of the Aerospace Medicine practice on the 18th floor of the Gonda Building, we take some time to review a number of abbreviations that are used commonly in the aeromedical certification world -- but may not be familiar to pilots. 

Send us Fan Mail The age for mandatory retirement for commercial airline pilots flying under Part 121 was raised to 65 years in 2007. A recent pitch to increase the age limit to 67 was voted down recently by the Senate Commerce Committee. What implications will this have on the pilot shortage, and what's the answer?

Send us Fan Mail It's second nature to pre-flight with a checklist, but what about "pre-flight checklisting" yourself? On this episode we meet one of our talented nurses dedicated to helping pilots through the process of applying for a medical certificate and passing through this part of the journey unscathed.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, we pay tribute to our colleague Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn who was the master of ceremonies for the Clear Approach podcast but departed the "nest" for a better view at Delta Airlines. We launch our new format, and discuss being aware of colleagues and friends with mood issues that could lead to the unthinkable. NOTE: Potential sensitive topic of depression a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we review a surprisingly troubling condition for many unsuspecting pilots, ADHD. 

Send us Fan Mail Get comfy for my adventure/horror story about EAA Airventure 2023. Then we go over the newest medication approved by the FAA for the treatment of depression.  

Send us Fan Mail Im back after suffering a loss. After sharing my experience, I give some helpful hints for reducing the pain of Jet Lag. And then, Im off to EAA!

Send us Fan Mail Its Podcast Reboot 3.0. And for this episode, we go over pain thats with you but behind you: back pain.  

Send us Fan Mail My pain is your pleasure in this week's episode.  And I share some amazing new information from the FAA regarding medical certification for pilots on anxiety and depression medications.  

Send us Fan Mail Im back from vacation! In this episode I review three frequent questions we get from pilots. And I share a fun time on a Boeing 727.  

Send us Fan Mail Pilots have a higher risk of skin cancer. I review what you need to know and what happens if you develop skin cancer as a pilot.  Also, we review some medical news, including some interesting eye drops that correct near vision. 

Send us Fan Mail There are new  updates from the FAA regarding depression and CBD. Yup, you heard me right!  Join me to learn what you need to know about cannabidiol and minor depression. 

Send us Fan Mail Like a Cessna 150 with its 8th owner, we are back up and running! Updates from Dr. Van on the flying life and we go over all the really important details you need to know about color vision and testing. 

Send us Fan Mail In this first episode for 2022, we go over the danger of steroids for pilots. Then we make sure you are in the know about masks.  

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I review the dangerous side effects of Viagra and similar medications.  Then, I give some important advice on what to do if you have an unfortunate lapse in judgment and get pulled over for driving after drinking.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we introduce the “medication moment” segment by tackling Kava Kava. Someone way more eloquent than me tells you how not to self destruct your medical certification process.  And I share a story about hot starts and hazardous attitudes.

Send us Fan Mail Today, we go over the basic facts that pilots should know about the COVID-19 delta variant.  And I make the most of being grounded.

Send us Fan Mail Yes, I am alive! Welcome to the reboot of the podcast.  I have been completely crushed with patient care and post COVID work, and I haven’t had much time to sleep let alone record another episode. But alas, thanks to labor laws, I have some more time now, and we are back! In today’s episode, … Continue reading Under Pressure: Glaucoma →

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I go over what pilots need to know about treating allergies safely.  Also, I do a brief overview of my new job in the Human Intervention Motivation Study with the FAA. To help, here are some key links to support your learning: Allergy Medicine Guidelines by the FAA The HIMS Program  

Send us Fan Mail In this update, we go over some of the newest information for pilots that have had a COVID-19 infection.

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode, we go over some of the newest information about a topic that hopefully won’t put you to sleep: obstructive sleep apnea.  And then we chat with Dr. Susan Northrup, the Federal Air Surgeon for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Send us Fan Mail For this episode we cover the entire atmosphere, and then some! I go over kidney stones and what it means for flying and the FAA. And then we talk to commercial space flight specialist Dr. Michael Harrison about the next frontier and his research about an underappreciated danger in general aviation.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode, I talk about the fun of getting the COVID vaccine, we discuss needle phobia, and finally Dr. Emily Stratton takes us up high to review high altitude medical conditions and treatment.

Send us Fan Mail Today, we talk about diapers, the COVID ATC shutdown, and for real phorias.