The Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Aviation Medical Examinations: A 24-Year Retrospective Analysis

Purpose: Aviation medical exams are pivotal for health management in aviation professionals, ensuring safety. Despite their importance, a gap exists in literature detailing the dynamics of these exams, especially during the COVID-19 era. Methods: Longitudinal data assessed distribution and trends based on sex, age, and qualification. A segment analyzed the pandemic’s influence, and a correlation between pilot age and disqualification rate was evaluated. Results: Males represented 95.5% (124,751) of total applicants; females 4.5% (5,861). Age distribution: under 40 (53.2%), 40s (26.4%), 50s (16.1%), and over 60 (4.2%). The majority (94.7%) had class 1 type. The fit rate was 87.4%, with conditional fit at 11.9%. Exams increased from 2,529 in 2000 to 15,149 in 2019, then decreased during COVID-19, with an expected recovery in 2023. Pilots’ trend mirrored this, with projections to exceed 12,000 exams in 2023. Of the pilots, 0.15% were deemed unfit, with age correlating with disqualification. Conclusion: This study illuminates the evolution and impact of aviation medical examinations over 24 years, accentuating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.