Expert Opinion
AINsight: When Pilots Change Aviation Medical Examiners
Anxiety of transitioning to a new AME can be eased by being prepared and proactive
Medical exam
© AdobeStock

Once a stable long-term relationship with an aviation medical examiner (AME) has been established, pilots are reluctant to change. I have had similar experiences.

I was sent by my flight school to an AME for an initial student pilot certificate in about 1975 (back in ancient times when the AME issued a combination medical/student pilot certificate). After that, I completed the next 30-plus years of private and professional flying with just two AMEs. I was fortunate in that regard.

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