Expert Opinion
AINsight: Aviation Medicine in the Pandemic
There are confusing messages from the FAA on medical exams during the pandemic, but you should update your medical certificate on schedule, if possible.

Everything was going along just fine. Almost too smoothly, you worried, with a growing sense of foreboding. All flights had a tailwind, airline and corporate flight departments were healthy, and then, suddenly and without warning, the dreaded ATC communication was received, “Covid-19 heavy, holding instructions, advise when ready to copy.”

“Go ahead,” you mumble, without much enthusiasm and with increasing trepidation. “Covid-19 heavy, you are cleared direct to PNDMC intersection, hold as depicted, descend to and maintain your least fuel-efficient altitude, expect further clearance in about a year or so.”

Robert Sancetta, M.D.
AIN Contributor
About the author

Dr. Robert Sancetta is a former DC-10 captain with 11,000 flight hours. He has worked as a Senior AME since 1993 and is appointed as AME Consultant to the FAA Federal Air Surgeon.

See more by this author