Points to Note

Statement of Applicant

 The applicant must read, date and sign the declaration and the signature must be witnessed.

Mental Status Examination  

All the three aspects of mental functioning should be tested e.g. cognitive, emotional and behavioral. 

• Intellectual capacity can be assessed, in the course of history taking with reference to school and work records. 

• Assessment of emotional stability requires good clinical acumen as no definitive tests are available for testing personality or temperament and reliance must be placed on careful history. 

• Intelligence tests and personality tests are carried out by employers but a clinical assessment is made during medical examination.

• Speech must be clear and of adequate loudness to be intelligible.  Stammering, lisping, slurring of words and hesitation in speech must be noted.  The candidate may be asked to read a paragraph in English to determine speech abnormalities. Speech defects can also be detected by drawing the candidate into a sensible and purposeful conversation.

General Physical Examination

• The general physical examination must ensure that movement of all joints of the trunk and upper and lower limbs are full, free and painless. 

• Any structural or congenital abnormality and loss of any part of body due to amputation is noted.

• Special attention is paid to the symmetry and equal development of the limbs. Note will be taken of any muscle wasting, contractures, keloids and abnormal scars. Abnormal mobility of the joints and abnormality of muscle tone will also be noted. 

• The candidate should be asked to stand to attention and then walk.  The posture and gait will also be noted.

• A series of movements will be carried out by the candidate to ensure free mobility of the joints.  For this purpose a set drill should be pursued as follows.

  • Extend both arms forward with palm upwards, open and close the hands and move the fingers and thumbs separately in all directions. 

  • The wrist must be pronated and supinated and elbow flexed. 

  • The candidate will be asked to swing the arm around at the shoulder and finally place both hands across the head. 

  • For lower limb, the candidate should be asked to sit /squat on the floor and then get up quickly. 

  • He then stands first on the toes and then on the heels. He is then asked to lie down on the couch and adduction and abduction at the hip is tested.

  • Spinal movements must be full, free and painless. Any deformity or loss of curvature, with or without limitations of movements, must be noted carefully

• This section should be completed by the medical examiner, although some portions, such as the height, weight and blood pressure may be completed by trusted para-medical staff, under your supervision. However, it is preferable that you perform the entire examination.

Identification Marks. 

• Two identification marks must be recorded in detail so that they can serve as a means of positive identification. 

• Size, shape, distance and relationship to a well recognizable anatomical landmark must be given.

• These are endorsed in the pilot’s license & should be normally visible in a clothed individual

Height & Weight

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a useful indicator of a healthy weight.

BMI = Weight in Kg divided by the height in meters. 

The ideal BMI range is 20-25. BMI below 20 & above 25 may be investigated to rule out endocrinological abnormalities, chronic infections & metabolic disorders.

 The medical examiner must remember that commercial aircraft seat is designed for standing height between 155 & 185cm; candidates beyond these limits may be counseled accordingly.

Blood Pressure

This should be recorded while the applicant is sitting, using a cuff of appropriate size. The diastolic blood pressure to be recorded is the disappearance of the sound; if casual BP > 140/90 mm Hg, repeat after 30 min interval. If still beyond normal range, record Basal BP. In case of elevated readings or if White Coat Hypertension is suspected, 24 hrs Ambulatory BP Recording is mandatory for diagnosis. For confirmed case of Hypertension, complete biochemistry / lipid profile / USG / fundoscopy / Echocardiography is necessary to rule out secondary hypertension & identify target organ damage.