HISTORY OF AFCME
During the 1940’s the RAF Central Medical Board (RAFCMB) was established at Lahore, to conduct the medical examination and assessment of aircrew for flying fitness. Sqn Ldr WG Herald was the first President of the RAFCMB. Candidates requiring specialist opinion were referred to the MH at Lahore, as there were no specialist officers posted on the staff. Towards the end of 1941, with the increasing demands of heavy recruitment in the RAF, a Traveling Medical Board was also constituted. The board was formed at Lahore in December 1941 and commenced work in Jan 1942. Flt Lt MY Alurkar was the first Indian to be posted as an Eye specialist on the staff of this Board. The RAFCMB was shifted to Delhi in July 1942 and the Traveling Board was disbanded in 1943.
On 15 August 1947, the RAF Central Medical Board, New Delhi was taken over by the R I.A.F with Wg Cdr MY Alurkar, Eye Specialist, as the first President and Flt Lt J.R. Kumar as member. This Board was subsequently renamed as R.I.A.F. Central Medical Board (RIAFCMB) with establishment No. INDIA/2094, w.e.f. 1st April 1948. The Admin / Domestic services were provided by No. 10 (Admin) Wing, Delhi.
The RIAF Central Medical Board (RIAFCMB), became IAF Central Medical board (IAFCMB), in 1949 when all Royal Air Force personnel left India after Independence and w.e.f 01 Apr 58 this Unit was further, designated as AF Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) and continued to be located at Air Force Station, New Delhi under its administrative control. The admin services continued to be provided by Air Force Station, New Delhi. The major changes in the role and establishment were revised w.e.f 21 Oct 67 and Establishment No. (2094A) was authorized for AFCME.
AFCME CREST
A distinctive Crest for AFCME was issued in the year 1996. AFCME Celebrated its Golden Jublee in 1996 as it completed its 50 years of Existence .The crest was signed by Honourable President of India and presented to the establishment in Sep 1996. This Crest is a valuable document of the establishment and displayed in office of the Air Officer Commanding. The motto of AFCME engraved on the crest namely, “Shakti Mulam Swastham” means ’Health is the root of strength’.
ROLE OF AFCME
AFCME is a compact and specialised medical evaluation center for aircrew of all the three services of the Armed Forces, the paramilitary organizations, State Government agencies, Flying clubs and Civil Aviation. In addition, the establishment also provides specialist Out Patient Department diagnostic and therapeutic services, at the AF Polyclinic to the serving and retired Air Force personnel and their families, in all the available clinical specialties.
It is an independent Unit directly under the functional and administrative control of the Director General of Medical Services, Air Headquarters (RK Puram). The accounting services are being provided by AFCAO. Work services are controlled by Air HQ through AFRO. Living In / Out accommodation is available at Subroto Park Extension under the control of AOC, AFRO. MT services are provided by Air Force Station, New Delhi.
The three units located at Subroto Park namely the AF Central Accounts (AFCAO) , AFCME and AF Record Office (AFRO) together make the CAMERO Complex. These units have an Officer's Mess, located at Subroto Park, under the Chairmanship of the AOC, AFCME and is known as CAMERO Officers Mess. The living out accommodation for Officers and Airmen is situated in the Subroto Park Extension area and a common pool for accommodation for all the three units is maintained by the C Adm O of AFRO.
The AFCME is situated in a double storied building with over 70 rooms. The ground floor comprises of the reception, waiting rooms, cafeteria, AOC’s Secretariat, admin services, library and conference hall. The first floor houses the various departments namely Radiology, Pathology, Medicine & Cardiology, Aviation medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology, and Psychiatry, No. 3 AMU AF, a lodger unit of this establishment occupies a part of the building.
Role of AFCME is as under :
- Review Medical Boards of Air Force Aircrew (Officers and Airmen), Aircrew of the Navy and Army Aviators.
- Annual medical boards of all Gp Capt (Flying branch) posted to Air HQ and all Air Officers of the IAF.
- Medical Examination of candidates selected for NDA (Air Wing), GDOC, AE Course, UE Scheme, Flying (P) Course, Helicopter SSC (W), (CDSE/NCC/Airmen), and Flt Engineer, Flt Gunner, Flt Signaller, Flying (Navigator) and for ground duties SSC (Women).
- Medical examination of personnel selected for PJI duties, free fall, AOP duties, Army Aviation, Naval aviation and Coast Guard aviation.
- Medical examination for initial issue and renewal of flying license for all civil aircrew.
- Authorised centre for holding review, re-categorisation medical board of AF personnel after cardiac, pulmonary or psychiatric disease, middle ear pathology, decompression sickness etc and also for re-flighting after aircraft accidents.
ISO 9001 : 2000 CERTIFICATION
The International Organisation on Standardisation was founded in 1946 with the head office located at Geneva. It was formulated to promote the development of international standards and related activities including conformity assessment to facilitate exchange of goods and services worldwide. The standards require an organisation to document what it does, do what it documents and provide objective evidence of accomplishment .
With the aim to render quality service to its clientele, AFCME embarked on an ambitious mission to acquire the coveted ISO 9001 : 2000 accreditation. This establishment received the necessary go ahead sanction from Air HQ vide letter No. Air HQ/S.26405/20/Med-3 dated 25 Apr 05 for ISO 9000: 2001 accreditation.
The training and consultancy services were provided by Perfect Quality & Environment Consultants Pvt Ltd. The training included the following:
(a) Gap Analysis (one day)
(b) Awareness training programme (two days)
(c) Documentation training programme (two days)
(d) Internal Auditors training programme (two days)
(e) Consultancy (Eighteen days)
AFCME : Quality Policy
- Meeting customer, statutory, regulatory & system requirements
- Enhancing customer satisfaction by providing world class services in professional manner
- Continually improve the effectiveness of QMS by establishing, achieving & reviewing quality objectives
- Communicate and explain the policy to employees within the organization
- Reviewing the policy periodically for continuing stability
AFCME : Quality Objectives
- Complete renewal of civil aircrew med exam within 5 hrs
- Complete initial med for civil aircrew licence within 3 working days
- Re-cat / review med boards within 4 working days
- Annual med exam of serving personnel within 1 day
- Med exam of candidates for induction into armed forces within 5 working days
The entire process was tedious and demanding. With the DGMS (Air) as the chief patron and AOC AFCME as patron, the entire establishment including all officers and airmen worked towards this objective of achieving the ISO certification in a fast track and achieved this target in a record time of six months.
The Chief of the Air Staff presented the ISO registration certificate to AOC, AFCME at a formal function on 10 Oct 2005 that was attended by various dignitaries of the Armed Forces. AFCME thus became the first medical unit in the Armed Forces to be certified by the International Standards Organisation.
Presentation of ISO certificate by the CAS
Unveiling of ISO plaque main Foyer
DEPARTMENTS OF AFCME
Department of Medicine & Cardiology
The Medical Division is manned by the above two Physicians and eight airmen. It is the hub center of all medical examinations and boards at AFCME. It is from here that all personnel reporting for medical exams / boards are routed to various departments viz. Pathology, Radiology, Eye, ENT & Psychiatry. On completion of evaluation, the documents are finally compiled, checked and dispatched from the medical division for final clearance to the AOC’s office. It has a reception for service aircrew manned by the SNCO i/c, reception & medical examination room for civil aircrew (for initial & renewal licence exam), separate waiting rooms for senior officers, service aircrew, civil aircrew and candidates, chambers for the Cardiologist and Medical Specialist, ECG room and respiratory laboratory with lung function testing facilities.
The Department of Cardiology has a Cardiologist proficient in invasive cardiology work up that he conducts at Army Hospital (R&R). In addition there is a state of the art non-invasive cardiac lab which includes two computerized treadmills for stress test, two color Doppler 2D-Echocardiography machines along with trans-esophageal probe, 24 hour ambulatory ECG recorder (Holter) and two 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitors. The center also has a large ECG library wherein the ECG records of all military aviators, assessed at AFCME are maintained.
2D Echo machine
Treadmill Test Machine
Department of Pathology
The department has a state of art modern laboratory, which is manned by one pathologist and seven lab assistants. Its main role is to carry out investigations for all personnel reporting to AFCME for their medical evaluations as well as all OPD cases coming from the AF Polyclinic being conducted at SMC, WAC (U). The Lab is equipped with the following: -
- Haematology: An eight-parameter Coulter haematology analyser and a MS-9 fully automated haematology unit for estimation of haemogram & blood counts. The latter can analyse eighteen parameters at a time, each sample taking only one minute for the computerised report to be finalised.
- Biochemistry: This sub department has a RA–50 Chemistry Analyser which can perform up to 52 different types of biochemical tests, depending on the availability of the kits. The department also has a state of art XL-600 Automated Chemistry Analyser, which can analyse samples from 50 patients for 50 different parameters at a time. Each test taking only 10 seconds, thus drastically cutting down on the time for analysis of blood samples to a very minimum. The lab also has an AVL Electrolysis Analyser for estimation of serum electrolytes.
XL - 600 FULLY AUTOMATED CHEMISYTRY ANALYSER
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Also available is a Columbus Micro plate Washer for ELISA tests, an ELISA reader and ELISA kits for estimation of PSA and IgG and IgM antibodies for Dengue. These tests were earlier being carried out only at AH (R&R) and have been recently started at AFCME. In addition cancer screening tests in the form of cervical smears and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lumps are also being conducted.
Department of Radiology
AFCME has a well-equipped Radiology Department, which is manned by one Radiologist and four X-Ray assistants. Its main role is to carry out medical evaluation of the aircrew, both military and civil. This includes chest skiagram of all candidates. X-rays of the complete spine of all candidates undergoing medical examination for military aircrew duties, Ultrasonography of abdomen of all female candidates, and all other investigations as deemed necessary by the concerned specialist. In addition OPD cases of all personnel and their families posted to Delhi area and referred by the AF Polyclinic are also evaluated at AFCME.
The department is equipped with a Seimens X-Ray machine, an ultrasonography machine, Automatic Film Processor, a Multiformat Camera and a Portable USG Machine presently being used in the Gynaecology OPD of the AF Polyclinic. In 2005 more than 2000 chest X-Rays, 1400 bone X-Rays and 2000 ultrasonographies were carried out. In addition to this more than 20-25 X- Ray films from Air Force Units in NCR region are reported per day. All protection measures in the form of blood count every quarter for all X-Ray Assts and regular monitoring of the TLD badge from Defence Laboratory Jodhpur are strictly adhered to. The up-gradation proposed for the department is a mammography machine and new generation ultrasound machine. A latest version mammography machine is likely to be installed in the near future.
Seimens X-Ray Machine
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Department of Ophthalmology
The department has two ophthalmologists and four optometrists. It has modern and specialized equipment for ophthalmic evaluation and also undertakes anterior segment microsurgical procedures like intra ocular lens implantation, surgery for glaucoma, pterygium and other anterior segment disorders of the eye. These are performed in a fully functional operation theatre of the Station Medicare Center of Western Air Command. A contact lens clinic is also setup within the department.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
This department has two ENT surgeons as above and four medical assistants, who are trained ORAs & Audiology & Speech therapy. The department undertakes the evaluation of ENT disorders and has the additional facilities for digital audiometry, in a sound protected room, speech audiometry against backgrounds noise, calorie test and tymphanometry. Oto-microscopic and minor ENT surgical procedures including diagnostic sinus endoscopic procedures are also undertaken. The department in addition provides specialist support to a full fledged speech therapy center functioning at the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, with latest speech therapy equipment comprising group hearing aid and loop induction system.
Department of Neuropsychiatry
EEG Lab
This department has four Psychiatrytrained medical assistants. It has a well-equipped Electro Encephalo Graph (EEG) lab with a state of the art digital EEG machine and also has facility for psychological testing of IQ and assessing mentally challenged children. In liaison with the clinical Psychologist at the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, personality and aptitude assessment is being carried out when indicated for the care of special children.
Department of Aircrew Reception / Medical Boards & Stats
This Department consisting of one medical officer, 07 airmen 7 03 civilian clerks.
Aircrew reception: Receives all Air Officers, Officers (Aircrew), Airmen (Aircrew), Civil Pilots, various candidates of Army Aviation, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard Aviation and PJI those who report for annual medical, initial medical and review medical board. There are two separate reception counters for the serving personnel and civil aircrew, respectively.
Serving Personnel counter: It is basically responsible for reception, registration and timely clearance of all Officers, Airmen & candidates and to help them at any stage at AFCME during the evaluation process.This section is responsible for final clearance once the evaluation is completed and the files are then handed over to Medical Stats for completion of the medical board and further disposal.
Civil Aircrew reception counter: This reception counter is responsible for attending to civil aircrew reporting for Initial or renewal Class I medical exam, for receiving, storing & dispatching of PMRs.
Online Medical Records: Civil aircrew medical records are available on onlineand the summary is taken out one day prior to their Medical Examination.
Medical Boards & Stats: This section is the custodian of the personal files of all serving officers, whose medical were conducted at the time of entry in the Air Force. In addition, personal files of aviators from Army, Navy and serving aircrew of Air Force (Officers and other ranks i.e., Flt Gnr, Flt Engr, Flt Sig, PJI etc) are also held in this section. A total approx 7000 files are being maintained and kept in the record room chronologically so that these are quickly located as and when required.
All medical documents after clearance by President, AFCME are routed to this Section for further action. The entire work is time bound and all efforts are made to finish the task in prescribed time limit.
No 3 Aero-Medical Unit
Anthropometric Platform
This unit functions along with AFCME in evaluation of aircrew and candidates who are selected for flying duties. It has an 'Anthropometric platform', which is used for evaluation of candidates for flying duties in the Armed Forces as measurement of thigh length, leg length and sitting height which are mandatory requirements prior to clearing them. It also has a Decompression chamber that is used for evaluation of aircrew undergoing medical board at AFCME.
Flying modern airplanes requires a high degree of physical and mental fitness to withstand the stresses that are placed on the aircrew. It is imperative, therefore, the utmost diligence be exercised in medical examinations and reviews of air crews so that the combat potential of the Armed Forces as well as the flying potential of Civil Aviation industry is not depleted and at the same time flight safety is not compromised. Towards the fulfillment of this objective, AFCME continues to render yeoman service and has virtually become the custodian of medical safety in aviation for the country as a whole.
CIVIL AIRCREW CERTIFICATION
Introduction: - Rule 39 B of the Aircraft Rules 1937, CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) deals with the medical standards of flight crew. It stipulates that no licence or rating required for any of the personnel of the aircraft shall be issued or renewed unless the applicant undergoes a medical examination with an approved medical authority and satisfies the medical standards as notified by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Medical Assessment Rules: - The categories are Class I, II & III medical assessments. However, CAR stipulates that a class I medical assessment is mandatory for the following categories:
- Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
- Senior Commercial Pilot’s Licence
- Senior Commercial Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplane)
- Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
- Flight Navigator’s Licence
- Student Flight Navigator’s Licence
- Flight Engineer’s Licence
- Student Flight Engineer’s Licence
- Private Pilot’s Licence (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
The CAR stipulates that an applicant for a medical assessment shall undergo a medical examination based on the following requirements: -
- Physical and Mental Requirements
- Visual and colour perception Requirements
- Hearing Requirements
The civil aviation authority has authorized the following centers, which are entrusted for the purpose of CLASS 1 medical assessment: -
- AFCME, New Delhi
- IAM, Bangalore
- MEC, Jorhat
Procedure: - After having undergone a Class II Medical Exam, conducted by medical practitioners authorised by DGCA, an applicant can then seek an appointment for a Class I medical examination. In case a Class II medical is not done the applicant will be required to produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) which has to be issued by the DGCA. This is to be accompanied by a cockpit clearance certificate.
The request for appointment for Class I medical examination to be made directly with the concerned medical examination centre along with a request to DGCA to forward the Past Medical Records (PMRs) to the concerned medical examination centre.
Fees: - Applicants are required to pay the following minimum fees at the medical examination centre prior to the commencement of the medical examination.
Class I - Initial Issue of Licence - Rs. 1990/-*
Class I - Renewal of Licence - - Rs. 1000/-*
These are the standard rates, however extra fees will be charged for any special investigation, if carried out at the medical examination centre.
DGCA approved Medical Examination Centres for Class I Med Exam:
| Type of Medical Exam |
Centre |
| Initial Issue of Licence |
AFCME, New Delhi,
IAM, Bangalore |
| Every third year renewal and Every fifth six-monthly renewal |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat |
| Licences lapsed over 2 years |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
| After a period of unfitness |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat
or any other centre at thediscretion of DGCA |
| Renewals not undergone med exam over 2 years |
AFCME, New Delhi |
| |
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat |
| Renewals not undergone med exam for a period of ALTP – 30 months, CPL – 36 months |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
| Special Med exam |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat
or any other centre at thediscretion of DGCA |
| Renewal Med Exam Above 60 years of age |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
| Appeal Medical Exams |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
Other DGCA approved medical examination centres for the conditions, which are not listed above:
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Kanpur
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Lohegaon, Pune
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Cotton Green, Mumbai
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Tambaram, Chennai
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Barrackpore, Kolkata
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Agra, U.P
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Chandigarh
Medical Requirements for professional pilots aged between 60 – 65 years
Six Monthly: - Blood Hb% TLC DLC, Urine RE/ME & pure tone audiometry
Annual: - Blood Sugar F/PP, HbA1C, Lipid profile
& TMT / 2D Echo (for post CABG / PTCA / M.I cases)
Once in 2 years: - TMT, MPI Scan (for post CABG / PTCA / M.I cases),
Serum Creatinine, LFT, Serum PSA & USG (Abd & Pelvis)
1st renewal at 60 yrs: - X-Ray Chest & 2D Echo report
Once in 5 years: - CART
Apart from the above, any other investigation will be carried out at the discretion of the medical assessment centre, when clinically indicated.
PROCEDURE FOR APPEAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION
In the event of a pilot being declared temporarily medically unfit for more than three months at a stretch or in aggregate or permanently unfit for issue or renewal of the license, the applicant may appeal b the DGCA for a review of the medical assessment within a period of 90 days from the date of applicant having been declared unfit.
The appeal shall be addressed to the Director General of Civil Aviation, Technical Centre, Opposite Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi - 110 003 (Attention: Director of Operations - Training & Licensing). The appeal shall besentby registered post with acknowledgement due or by Speed Post or through a reputed courier company or may be delivered in person to the Receipt & Despatch Section in the O/o DGCA and obtain a receipt for the same. The appeal must be accompanied by the following documents:
- All documents in original obtained by the applicant from the reputed medical Institute / Specialist clearly certifying that the applicant is fit to fly aircraft, as a pilot or co-pilot with specific reference to the cause of unfitness stated in the medical assessment issued by the office of DGCA. The medical practitioner/specialist certifying the fitness in such a case should give sound reasons justifying his opinion.
- Reports of the medical examination and results of investigations, in original, conducted by the medical practitioner/specialist giving the aforesaid certificate
The appeal shall be considered by DGCA, and if found justified, it will be referred to DGMS (Air). If adequate medical evidence is provided for medical review, DGMS (Air) may recommend to DGCA an appeal/review medical examination at any place and may also ask Dr any such investigation/report or opinion of any specialist to determine the fitness of the applicant. In case the appeal for medical review is not found justified, DGMS (Air) will inform DGCA about the same giving the reasons and the pilot shall be informed accordingly.
If the medical review is accepted, it shall be carried out at the centre specified for the purpose. The fresh medical examination reports will be considered to assess the medical fitness of the candidate. The decision of the DGMS (Air) on behalf of DGCA shall be final. The result thereof shall be intimated by the Medical Board to the O/o DGCA and the final assessment shall be issued accordingly by DGCA.
MILITARY AIRCREW EVALUATION
(EXTRACT FROM IAP 4303)
INTRODUCTION
The Air Force medical services are responsible for maintaining a high standard of physical and mental fitness of all air force personnel so as to ensure maximum operational efficiency of the human element of the force, Selection into the Air force should be of individuals who are medically fit to perform duties under all Conditions of peace and war, in all terrains, in all climatic conditions and in any part of the world.
Periodic medical examinations, therefore, have a two-fold aim. Firstly, they help in primary prevention of disease so that early treatment and rehabilitation can be provided. Such examinations also provide valuable information necessary for developing methodologies for arresting and reversing the sub clinical disease processes. Secondly, they determine an individual's capacity to carry out the service tasks required of him or her. In cases where a disease or disability has occurred, or has been detected, the criteria for medical fitness should be the individual's ability to satisfactorily discharge his or her duties in peace and war and to ensure that the task does not impose any risk to the individual or to the service, because of a individual's physical handicap. Certain restrictions on employability may become necessary to ensure that the health of an individual is not adversely affected by service conditions. These restrictions are imposed in the form of lower medical category, which should be clearly indicative of any restriction of employability.
IAP 4303
This IAP is comprehensive document, which deals with important aspects of fitness of Indian Air Force personnel. This section deals with general considerations.
INITIAL MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
In case of candidates for commissioning in the officers' cadre this examination is to be carried out at AFCME/IAM, while for enrollment for Airmen / NCs (E) it is to be carried out at Airmen Selection Centers (ASCs). The purpose of this medical evaluation is to ensure that each candidate fulfills the medical qualifying standards for his branch or trade into which he or she is seeking entry. Every effort is made to detect any disease or infirmity, which may at a later date affect the physical and mental capacity of the individual adversely. During the initial medical examination the benefit of doubt regarding fitness or otherwise goes to the State. This is to avoid likely drop-outs and subsequent invalidments due to disabilities when sizeable expenditure on training has been incurred by the State.
RELEASE MEDICAL BOARDS
Release Medical Boards are conducted to asses the fitness of the individual at the time of his/ her release from service so as to assess the effects of service career on his/ her health, if any, and to decide fitness for commutation of pension. In cases of prior disability the attributability/ aggravation factors, percentage of. disablement and frequency. of review and fitness for civil employment after release from service are also decided in a release medical board.
INVALIDING MEDICAL BOARDS
These are held when, due to disease or disability, an individual can no longer perform his or her service duties. Such cases are invalided out of service.
MEDICAL CATEGORIES OFFICERS, CADETS & AIRMEN AIRCREW
| Sl No |
Medical Category |
Functional Capacity |
Employability |
| (a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
| 1. |
A1 |
Physically well developed. Capable of enduring severe physical and mental stress of service flying in any part of the world. Has normal hearing and binocular visual acuity. |
Fit for full flying duties. Fit to fly any type of aircraft commensurate with anthropometric measurements. |
| 2. |
A2 |
Physically well developed. Capable of enduring physical and mental stress of service flying. May have minor impairment in hearing, visual acuity or functional capacity not interfering with flying. Fit for duties in any part of the world. |
Fit for full flying duties with minor impairment well compensated by flying experience. May use glasses for correction of vision. May have limitations in flying certain types of aircraft (like Tpt/Heptrs only or ASF/attack Heptrs)/or performance of specific flying duties. May have restrictions for instructional duties. |
| 3. |
A3 |
Functional capacity impaired to the extent of interfering with unrestricted flying. Defect/disability controlled and adequately compensated for restricted flying duties only. Possesses hearing and visual acuity commensurate with restricted flying. Must be psychologically stable. Might have suffered from disease/injuries/operative procedures, which are now well stabilized to a degree, which will not interfere with safe operation of the aircraft. |
Fit for flying duties with limitations specified by medical board. Unfit to fly as Captain of the aircraft. May have additional restrictions, which may be type of mission, type of ac, altitude restrictions, levels of ‘g’ stress and any other specific restriction as specified by the board. Fit to fly trainers/multicrew ac only. Such pilots will be allowed to fly only with other pilots possessing higher flying qualifications or experience than the individual him/her self. |
| 4. |
A4 |
Functional capacity impaired to the extent that it interferes with flying duties as an aircrew, but does not interfere of ground duties as a passenger. Officers of ground duties branches possess full functional capacity or impaired functional capacity not interfering with flying as a passenger. |
passenger. Officers of ground duties branches possess full functional capacity or impaired functional capacity not interfering with flying as a passenger.Unfit to fly as an aircrew. Fit to fly as a passenger only. |
| 5. |
At |
Functional capacity is not compatible with any form of military duties. |
Temporarily unfit for flying. However, fit to fly as patient when so considered by the authorized medical attendant. |
| 6. |
AP |
Has gross limitation in physical/mental capacity without possibility of improvement in reasonable time. |
Permanently unfit for military duties. However, fit to fly as a patient when so considered by authorized medical attendant. |
| 7. |
G1 |
Physically well developed. Possesses full functional capacity good eyesight and hearing. Capable of enduring severe physical and mental stress for prolonged periods. |
Fit for all ground duties in any part of the world. |
| 8. |
G2 |
Physical capacity and stamina slightly less than G 1. Capable of enduring physical and mental stress at a standard slightly lower than G1. Free from active disease requiring treatment, but many have minor defects which do not restrict employment. |
Fit for all ground duties, but slightly below G 1 standard, in any part of the world. |
| 9. |
G3 |
Has moderate physical capacity and stamina. Possesses reasonable degree of visual acuity, hearing and psychological stability as to withstand normal stress and strain. Suffered from disease/injury/operative procedure, which is now stabilized to a degree, which will not restrict employment. |
Fit for all ground duties not involving unusual stress. May have restrictions in employment in area > 2, 700 meters ASL. Fit for PT/Parade/Sports/Night Duties. |
| 10. |
G4 |
Has significant / major disablement with limited / restricted physical capacity and stamina. Capable of undergoing limited physical exertion. Suffered from disease/injury/operative procedure which is not fully stabilized. May have defect of limb corrected by well fitting prosthesis. |
Fit for routine duties not involving severe physical and mental stress in areas below 2, 700 meters altitude. |
| 11. |
Gt |
Temporarily incapacitated for any form of military duty due to sickness/injury. |
Temporarily unfit for any form of military duties. |
Explanatory Notes
Note 1
Each Officer and Airmen Aircrew shall be awarded appropriate Aerial (A) and Ground (G) category. As a rough guide A1 / G1 means full medical category with fitness to severe is any part of the world A2 / G2 would be appropriate for cases with mild disease or disability where there is minimal limitation of function and only requires periodic observation. Such persons are fit to perform duties in any part of the world. A3 would imply moderate disability fit for restricted flying as co pilot only. Similarly G3 / BEE would imply moderate disability fit for duties not involving severe stress. A4 (for aircrew) / G4 / CEE would imply severe disability: fit for sedentary duties only.
Note 2
Branch of the officer and airmen aircrew shall be indicated after the medical category e.g. Fit A1G1 F (P). Fit A4G1 AE (L). Aircrew other than pilots will continue to retain their aircrew category even when posted in ground tenures. They should be assessed as such and appropriate endorsement in the ACR be made accordingly.
Note 3
Only the following combinations are permissible with Aerial Medical Category A1, A2 and A3: - A1G1, A2G1, A2G2, A3G1, A3G2.
Note 4
Temporary medical category shall not be awarded for more than 24 weeks at a time. Normally, temporary medical category will not be awarded for more than a total period of two years.
Note 5
Medical category for Commissioning for Officers of Flying Branch must be A1G1 and for Officers of Ground Duties Branch A4G1 Minimum medical category for branch commissioning is A4G2 (P).In exceptional cases, on the request of Dte of Trg, DGMS (Air) may accord a specific waiver in accordance with para 5.4.13 for commissioning of aircrew in medical category A2 (P) / G1 or G2 (P) and for ground duties in medical category A4G2 (P). Final acceptance of such cases will be with the approval of AOP.
Note 6
When an officer of Flying Branch or airmen aircrew is found permanently unfit for flying duties as aircrew but is fit for ground duties and to fly as passenger the appropriate medical category will be recorded followed by an endorsement “Permanently unfit, A1, A2 and A3”.
Note 8
Air categories will only be adjudged by competent medical board, which would necessarily include an Air Force Medical Officer well versed with Aviation Medicine. Any opinion given by specialist other than the air force may not be considered.
EQUATION OF GROUND MEDICAL CATEGORY ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE
“SHAPE” system classifying functional capacity mainly relates to the “G” factor of Air Force Medical Category. Therefore as a general guide, the following are to be considered equivalent in the system of medical categorization in Army, Navy and Air Force.
SHAPE ‘A’ Factor ‘G’ Factor ‘A’ Factor
(Army) (Navy) (Air Force) (Air Force)
- A 1 G 1 / G 2 A 1 to A 3
- A 2 G 3 A 4
- A 3 G 4 A 4
- A 4 G (t) A (t)
- A 5 G (P) A (P)
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