NOTICE

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship 

of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest 

of information exchange. The United States Government 

assumes no liability for the contents thereof.

___________

This publication and all Office of Aerospace Medicine 

technical reports are available in full-text from the Civil 

Aerospace Medical Institute’s publications Web site: 

www.faa.gov/go/oamtechreports
i

Technical Report Documentation Page 

1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. 

DOT/FAA/AM-13/2

4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date 

2011 Aerospace Medical Certification Statistical Handbook January 2013 

6. Performing Organization Code 

 

7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. 

Skaggs VJ, Norris AI, Johnson R 

9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) 

FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute 

P.O. Box 25082 

Oklahoma City, OK 73125 

 

11. Contract or Grant No. 

 

12. Sponsoring Agency name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered 

Office of Aerospace Medicine 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence Ave., S.W. 

Washington, DC 20591 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 

15. Supplemental Notes 

 

16. Abstract 

Introduction. The annual Aerospace Medical Certification Statistical Handbook reports descriptive 

characteristics of all active U.S. civil aviation airmen and the aviation medical examiners (AMEs) that 

perform the required medical examinations. The 2011 annual handbook documents the most recent and most 

widely relevant data on active civil aviation airmen and AMEs. 

Methods. Medical certification records from 2006-2011 were selected from the Document Imaging 

Workflow System (DIWS), which is the FAA medical certification database. All medical data were 

abstracted from the most recent medical examinations with the exception of medical conditions which were 

historical and current. Only those with a non-expired medical certificate remained in the dataset. 

AME records were selected from the Aviation Medical Examiner Information System (AMEIS). The current 

status of each AME was determined for each year of the study period from 2009-2011, retaining only those 

with an active status.

Airman variables include age, issued and effective medical classes, height, weight, BMI, gender, select 

medical conditions, special issuances, and FAA region of residence. AME variables include AME type, age, 

gender, medical specialty, pilot license status, senior examiner status, and region. 

Results. Airmen: As of December 31, 2011, there were 594,912 medically certified airmen age 16 and older, 

and 32.0%, 21.8%, and 46.2% were issued a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 medical certificate, respectively. 

Across all medical classes, the average age was 42.7 years, and 93.4% of the airmen were male. The mean 

BMI for both females and males was 24.2 and 27.2, respectively. Seven percent of issued certificates 

required a special issuance. The most commonly reported medical condition was hypertension with 

medication at 11.1%. 

AMEs: Of the 3,474 active AMEs, 94.2% were civilian, 2.2% federal, and 3.6% military. Nearly 50% 

reported their medical specialty as family practice. Their average age was 59.9 years; the majority (52.2%) 

did not hold a pilot license, and 81.8% were male. 

Summary. This report contains widely requested data on the active U.S. civil airman population. This report 

is updated annually and is used by the aerospace community, including FAA leadership, aerospace 

researchers, advocacy groups, legislative staff, and the general public. 

 

17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement 

Pilot Medical Certification, Pilot Demographics, Pilot 

Medical Conditions, Pilot Statistics, Aviation Medical 

Examiners 

Document is available to the public through the 

Internet: 

www.faa.gov/go/oamtechreports

 

 

 

19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price 

Unclassified Unclassified 44 

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized 

iii

Contents

Section I. Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Table 1. FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Year and Type. 

Table 2. Designated FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Year and Region. 

Figure 1. Distribution of Newly Appointed FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region and Year. 

Figure 2. Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region and Year. 

Figure 3. Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region. 

Figure 4. Medical Practice Specialty of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Figure 5. Gender Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Table 3. Pilot License Type of Active Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Figure 6. Pilot License Type of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Figure 7. Senior Examiner Status of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region. 

Table 4. Senior Examiner Status of Active Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Table 5. Age by Gender of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Figure 8. Age Group of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners. 

Section II. Airman Medical Certification. .

Table 6. Number of Medical Applications Processed by Year. .

Table 7. Issued and Effective Medical Class by Region. .

Table 8. Issued Medical Class by State of Residence and Gender  .

Figure 9. Issued Medical Class by Region and Gender. .

Table 9. Age as of 12/31/2011 of all Active Airmen by Effective Medical Class. .

Table 10. Age Groups of all Active Airmen by Effective Medical Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Figure 10. Age Groups as of 12/31/2011 of all Active Airmen. .

Figure 11. Age Groups as of 12/31/2011 by Effective Medical Class for all Active Airmen. .

Table 11. Age at Exam Summary Statistics for Active Airmen by Issued Medical Class  .

Table 12. Age Groups for all Active Airmen by Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 12. Age Group of all Active Airmen at Time of Exam. .

Figure 13. Age Groups by Issued Medical Class for all Active Airmen at Time of Exam. .

Table 13. Age at Time of Exam by Issued Medical Class and Gender. .

Figure 14. Age Group at Time of Exam by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Table 15. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class and Gender. .
iv 

Contents (continued)

Table 14. Height (inches) of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 15. Height (inches) by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 16. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class – Females Only. .

Figure 17. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class – Males Only. .

Table 17. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class and Gender. .

Table 16. Weight (pounds) of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 18. Weight (pounds) by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 19. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class – Females Only. .

Figure 20. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class – Males Only. .

Table 18. BMI of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Table 19. BMI Category by Issued Medical Class and Gender. .

Figure 21. BMI by Gender and Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 22. BMI by Issued Medical Class – Females Only. .

Figure 23. BMI by Issued Medical Class – Males Only. .

Table 20. Special Issuance by Issued Medical Class, Gender, Age, and BMI. .

Figure 24. Special Issuance by Issued Medical Class. .

Figure 25. Special Issuance by Age Group at Time of Exam. .

Figure 26. Special Issuance by BMI Category. .

Table 21. Top 15 Reported Medical Conditions. .

Table 22. Medical Conditions by Issued Medical Class. .
v

FOREWORD

2011 Aerospace Medical Certification Statistical Handbook

INTRODUCTION

The annual Aerospace Medical Certification Statistical Handbook reports descriptive characteristics of all active 

U.S. civil aviation airmen and the aviation medical examiners (AMEs) that perform the required medical examinations. The 2011 annual handbook documents the most recent and most widely relevant data on active civil aviation 

airmen and AMEs. 

METHODS

Medical certification records from 2006-2011 were selected from the Document Imaging Workflow System 

(DIWS), which is the FAA medical certification database. All medical data were abstracted from the most recent 

medical examinations with the exception of medical conditions which were historical and current. Only those with 

a non-expired medical certificate remained in the dataset.

AME records were selected from the Aviation Medical Examiner Information System (AMEIS). The current 

status of each AME was determined for each year of the study period from 2009-2011, retaining only those with 

an active status. 

Airman variables include age, issued and effective medical classes, height, weight, BMI, gender, select medical 

conditions, special issuances, and FAA region of residence. AME variables include AME type, age, gender, medical 

specialty, pilot license status, senior examiner status, and region. 

RESULTS

Airmen: As of December 31, 2011, there were 594,912 medically certified airmen age 16 and older, and 32.0%, 

21.8%, and 46.2% were issued a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 medical certificate, respectively. Across all medical 

classes, the average age was 42.7 years and 93.4% of the airmen were male. The mean BMI for both females and males 

was 24.2 and 27.2 respectively. Seven percent of issued certificates required a special issuance. The most commonly 

reported medical condition was hypertension with medication at 11.1%. 

Aviation medical examiners: Of the 3,474 active AMEs, 94.2% were civilian, 2.2% federal, and 3.6% military. 

Nearly 50% reported their medical specialty as family practice. Their average age was 59.9 years; the majority (52.2%) 

did not hold a pilot license, and 81.8% were male.

SUMMARY

This report contains widely requested data on the active U.S. civil airman population. This report is updated annually and is used by the aerospace community, including FAA leadership, aerospace researchers, advocacy groups, 

legislative staff, and the general public.

1

SECTION I. AVIATION MEDICAL EXAMINERS

This section characterizes the aviation medical examiners during 2011 with some comparative data from 2009 and 

2010. All analyses represent data through December 31, 2011 unless otherwise noted. Data may slightly fluctuate 

annually from systematic changes and corrections to the records.

An aviation medical examiner (AME) is a physician authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

to perform airmen physical examinations for issuance of FAA medical certificates. These physicians are designated 

according to the geographical distribution of airmen. There are also military facilities (installations) designated to 

perform FAA airmen examinations of military personnel for issuance of second- and third-class certificates.

AME seminars are held in each region and at Oklahoma City’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute to acquaint these 

physicians with the regulations and procedures governing the issuance of FAA medical certificates.

Table 1. FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Year and Type 

AME Type 

2009

Number 

(Percent of Total)

2010

Number 

(Percent of Total)

2011

Number 

(Percent of Total)

Civilian 3,351

(93.8) 

3,400

(93.1) 

3,274

(94.2) 

Federal 80

(2.2)

85

(2.3)

76

(2.2)

Military 140

(3.9)

166

(4.6)

124

(3.6)

Total 3,571 3,651 3,474

Table 1. FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Year and Type
2 

Table 2. Designated FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Year and Region 

Region

Newly Appointed 

Number

(Percent of Total by Year) 

All Active 

Number

(Percent of Total by Year) 

2009 2010 2011 2009 2010 2011

Alaskan 3

(2.1)

3

(2.0)

1

(0.8)

66

(1.9)

68

(1.9)

65

(1.9)

Central 8

(5.6)

10

(6.8)

2

(1.6)

184

(5.2)

186

(5.1)

176

(5.1)

Eastern 6

(4.2)

8

(5.4)

2

(1.6)

391

(11.0)

389

(10.7)

377

(10.9)

Federal/Official 7

(4.9)

4

(2.7)

3

(2.5)

102

(2.9)

109

(3.0)

98

(2.8)

Great Lakes 15

(10.5)

13

(8.8)

13

(10.7)

516

(14.5)

514

(14.1)

492

(14.2)

International 13

(9.1)

21

(14.3)

25

(20.5)

295

(8.3)

314

(8.6)

319

(9.2)

Military 31

(21.7)

27

(18.4)

25

(20.5)

130

(3.6)

159

(4.4)

114

(3.3)

New England 6

(4.2)

7

(4.8)

2

(1.6)

112

(3.1)

118

(3.2)

117

(3.4)

Northwest Mountain 12

(8.4)

11

(7.5)

12

(9.8)

359

(10.1)

359

(9.8)

345

(9.9)

Southern 17

(11.9)

17

(11.6)

14

(11.5)

702

(19.7)

712

(19.5)

678

(19.5)

Southwest 20

(14.0)

16

(10.9)

20

(16.4)

421

(11.8)

423

(11.6)

412

(11.9)

Western-Pacific 5

(3.5)

10

(6.8)

3

(2.5)

293

(8.2)

300

(8.2)

281

(8.1)

Total 143 147 122 3571 3651 3474

Table 2. Designated FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Year and Region
3

Figure 1. Distribution of Newly Appointed FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region and Year
4 

Figure 2. Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region and Year
5

Figure 3. Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region

Figure 4. Medical Practice Specialty of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners

Percent

Family Practice 49.0

Internal Medicine 19.3

Aerospace Medicine 9.5

Other 7.1

Occupational Medicine 5.8

General Surgery 2.8

Ophthalmology 2.3

Emergency Medicine 1.4

Orthopedic Surgery 1.2

Otorhinolaryngology 1.2

Total 3474
6 

Figure 5. Gender Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners

Table 3. Pilot License Type of Active Aviation Medical Examiners 

Pilot License Type Number

(Percent)

Commercial – Instrument Flight Rules 162

(4.7)

Commercial 87

(2.5)

Private – Instrument Flight Rules 134

(3.9)

Private 1102

(31.7)

Student 137

(3.9)

Other 40

(1.2)

None 1812

(52.2)

Total 3474

Table 3. Pilot License Type of Active Aviation 

Medical Examiners
7

Figure 6. Pilot License Type of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners
8 

Figure 7. Senior Examiner Status of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region

Table 4. Senior Examiner Status of 

Active Aviation Medical Examiners

Senior Examiner

Number 

(Percent)

Yes 2123

(61.1)

No 1351

(38.9)

Total 3474
9

Figure 8. Age Group of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners

Table 5. Age by Gender of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners 

Number Mean Median Standard

Deviation Minimum Maximum 

Overall 3474 59.9 59.6 11.1 28.7 93.4 

Female 268 52.3 52.7 8.9 32.2 82.2 

Male 2843 60.3 59.8 11.2 28.7 93.4 

Gender

Not Reported 363 62.8 62.6 9.5 36.0 88.8 

 

Table 5. Age by Gender of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners

11

SECTION II. AIRMAN MEDICAL CERTIFICATION 

The Aerospace Medical Certification Division is the central screening facility and repository within the Federal 

Aviation Administration for the collection, investigation, adjudication, and analysis of medical data.

Activities of the Aerospace Medical Certification Division are presented in this section. Data are presented by 

calendar year and represent the most recent medical examination data for all active civil aviation airmen in the United 

States and its territories as of December 31, 2011. Data may slightly fluctuate annually from systematic changes and 

corrections to the records.

Class issued represents the medical class certificate that was issued at the time of the examination. As of July 24, 

2008, if the airman is under 40, first- and second-class certificates are valid for 1 year, and third-class certificates are 

valid for 5 years. If the airman is 40 and older, first-class certificates are valid for 6 months, second-class for 1 year, 

and third-class for 2 years. The length of certificate validity varies for those requiring a special issuance.

Effective medical class is determined by class issued, the age of the airman, time since exam, and whether the airman had a time limited certificate. A certificate can be issued as a higher class (i.e. first-class) and become valid as a 

lower class certificate (i.e. third-class) as the validity period expires for each higher class.

All medical data were abstracted from the most recent medical examinations with the exception of medical conditions. Medical conditions are determined by whether the airman has ever reported the condition on any past or 

current medical examination. Body mass index (BMI) classifications are as follows: Underweight (less than 18.5), 

Normal (18.5 to 24.9), Overweight (25 to 29.9), and Obese (greater than or equal to 30).

Table 6. Number of Medical Applications Processed 

by Year

Year

Number of 

Applications

Percent Change 

From Previous 

Year

2001 454,430 N/A 

2002 444,214 -2.2 

2003 444,732 0.1 

2004 444,250 -0.1 

2005 438,415 -1.3 

2006 440,269 0.4 

2007 452,592 2.8 

2008* 425,259 -6.0 

2009 397,163 -6.6 

2010 394,695 -0.6 

2011 400,069 1.4 

*Policy change July 24, 2008 lengthened the time of 

certificate validity for those under 40 years of age.

Table 6. Number of Medical Applications Processed 

by Year
12 

Table 7. Issued and Effective Medical Class by Region 

First Second Third Total Active Airmen 

Effective Class Effective Class 

Effective

Class Effective Class 

Region * 

1st

Class

Certified 1 2 3 

2nd

Class

Certified 2 3 

3rd

Class

Certified 3 

Total 

Airmen

Certified 

Percent

of Total 

Airmen 1 2 3 

Alaskan 1,923 1,473 159 291 2,202 1,457 745 4,020 4,020 8,145 1.4 1,473 1,616 5,056 Central 4,816 3,204 506 1,106 5,822 3,559 2,263 13,632 13,632 24,270 4.1 3,204 4,065 17,001 Eastern 18,972 12,926 1,519 4,527 13,517 7,362 6,155 32,817 32,817 65,306 11.0 12,926 8,881 43,499 Great Lakes 26,511 18,104 1,849 6,558 15,378 8,899 6,479 39,789 39,789 81,678 13.7 18,104 10,748 52,826 New England 6,198 4,364 449 1,385 4,089 2,369 1,720 10,825 10,825 21,112 3.6 4,364 2,818 13,930 Northwest-Mountain 18,725 12,700 1,529 4,496 15,315 8,523 6,792 27,840 27,840 61,880 10.4 12,700 10,052 39,128 Southern 42,821 30,157 3,723 8,941 26,186 16,036 10,150 51,388 51,388 120,395 20.3 30,157 19,759 70,479 Southwest 21,251 14,778 1,788 4,685 17,242 10,462 6,780 32,427 32,427 70,920 11.9 14,778 12,250 43,892 Western-Pacific 23,771 15,512 2,173 6,086 19,789 11,566 8,223 43,196 43,196 86,756 14.6 15,512 13,739 57,505 US Total 164,988 113,218 13,695 38,075 119,540 70,233 49,307 255,934 255,934 540,462 90.9 113,218 83,928 343,316 Military 13 0 0 13 2,174 668 1,506 5,396 5,396 7,583 1.3 0 668 6,915 International 24,896 10,226 1,891 12,779 7,936 3,217 4,719 13,437 13,437 46,269 7.8 10,226 5,108 30,935 Total 189,897 123,444 15,586 50,867 129,650 74,118 55,532 274,767 274,767 594,314 100 123,444 89,704 381,166 Percent of Total Certified Airmen 

32.0 21.8 46.2 100.0 20.8 15.1 64.1 

* 598 airmen with unknown region 

Table 7. Issued and Effective Medical Class by Region
13

Table 8. Issued Medical Class by State of Residence and Gender 

State of Residence *

Issued Medical Class

First Second Third Total Airmen

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

Alabama 41 1,146 79 2,465 232 3,840 352 7,451

Alaska 144 1,779 175 2,027 394 3,626 713 7,432

Arizona 382 6,075 271 3,678 612 7,502 1,265 17,255

Arkansas 55 886 40 1,393 152 2,373 247 4,652

California 945 12,677 874 12,381 2,570 28,809 4,389 53,867

Colorado 509 5,787 196 2,809 546 6,006 1,251 14,602

Connecticut 90 1,590 64 915 175 2,505 329 5,010

Delaware 26 361 9 306 43 596 78 1,263

District of Columbia 8 97 9 71 39 291 56 459

Florida 1,092 18,125 666 10,328 1,671 18,442 3,429 46,895

Georgia 357 7,387 194 3,389 481 6,835 1,032 17,611

Hawaii 131 1,218 82 720 77 636 290 2,574

Idaho 36 747 81 1,328 188 2,297 305 4,372

Illinois 437 5,599 209 2,929 537 7,066 1,183 15,594

Indiana 190 2,992 88 1,620 284 4,446 562 9,058

Iowa 34 646 43 1,120 196 3,005 273 4,771

Kansas 60 1,177 90 1,703 281 3,638 431 6,518

Kentucky 126 2,463 62 903 172 2,323 360 5,689

Louisiana 52 1,181 69 1,669 148 2,399 269 5,249

Maine 31 486 41 540 101 1,246 173 2,272

Maryland 95 1,762 135 1,542 348 3,640 578 6,944

Massachusetts 148 1,882 97 1,269 339 3,919 584 7,070

Michigan 299 4,083 146 2,266 469 6,369 914 12,718

Minnesota 266 4,141 154 2,102 334 5,168 754 11,411

Mississippi 52 996 37 981 131 1,903 220 3,880

Missouri 95 2,183 106 1,987 309 4,193 510 8,363

Montana 57 613 79 1,045 163 1,877 299 3,535

Nebraska 29 592 24 749 115 1,895 168 3,236

Nevada 120 2,028 113 1,516 250 2,494 483 6,038

New Hampshire 68 1,304 56 706 97 1,350 221 3,360

New Jersey 157 2,647 107 1,561 294 3,992 558 8,200

New Mexico 26 599 101 1,015 158 1,848 285 3,462

New York 269 4,406 218 2,938 587 7,672 1,074 15,016

North Carolina 227 3,959 134 2,518 433 6,385 794 12,862

North Dakota 38 1,030 36 884 61 1,133 135 3,047

Ohio 257 4,648 167 2,481 502 7,109 926 14,238

Oklahoma 78 1,457 128 2,003 327 4,022 533 7,482

Oregon 121 1,399 196 2,453 373 4,193 690 8,045

Pennsylvania 237 4,492 246 2,986 502 6,866 985 14,344

Rhode Island 27 295 12 164 31 447 70 906

South Carolina 86 1,602 73 1,340 190 3,025 349 5,967

South Dakota 24 301 33 621 59 1,050 116 1,972

Tennessee 210 4,096 155 2,401 312 4,291 677 10,788

Texas 750 16,167 656 10,168 1,532 19,468 2,938 45,803

Utah 159 2,948 149 2,243 160 2,353 468 7,544

Vermont 19 258 15 210 41 574 75 1,042

Virginia 235 3,816 185 2,664 565 6,140 985 12,620

Washington 430 5,635 309 3,988 671 7,893 1,410 17,516

West Virginia 15 278 18 392 76 994 109 1,664

Wisconsin 119 2,087 101 1,541 370 4,832 590 8,460

Wyoming 16 268 30 409 95 1,025 141 1,702

US Territories 49 1,053 44 692 80 1,045 173 2,790

Military 1 12 78 2,096 509 4,887 588 6,995

International 1,440 23,456 388 7,548 916 12,521 2,744 43,525

Total 10,965 178,912 7,868 121,773 20,298 254,454 39,131 555,139

*642 airmen missing state
14 

Figure 9. Issued Medical Class by Region and Gender

Table 9. Age as of 12/31/2011 of all Active Airmen by Effective Medical

Class 

Effective Medical Class Number of Airmen Mean Median Standard

Deviation

First 123,548 43.2 44.2 12.2 

Second 89,766 49.1 49.8 13.5 

Third 381,598 43.1 41.0 16.5 

All Classes 594,912 44.1 43.6 15.4

Table 9. Age as of 12/31/2011 of all Active Airmen by Effective Medical Class
15

Table 10. Age Groups of all Active Airmen by 

Effective Medical Class 

Effective Medical Class 

Number

(Percent) Age Group 

(as of 12/31/2011) First Second Third

16-19 2,673

(2.16)

1,531

(1.71)

10,152

(2.66)

20-24 6,970

(5.64)

3,854

(4.29)

49,287

(12.92)

25-29 11,906

(9.64)

4,882

(5.44)

51,682

(13.54)

30-34 13,765

(11.14)

4,466

(4.98)

38,075

(9.98)

35-39 14,415

(11.67)

5,010

(5.58)

33,747

(8.84)

40-44 14,521

(11.75)

11,596

(12.92)

34,561

(9.06)

45-49 16,921

(13.70)

14,240

(15.86)

26,704

(7.00)

50-54 18,747

(15.17)

13,148

(14.65)

32,169

(8.43)

55-59 14,179

(11.48)

10,845

(12.08)

33,088

(8.67)

60-64 7,590

(6.14)

9,435

(10.51)

28,025

(7.34)

65+ 1,861

(1.51)

10,759

(11.99)

44,108

(11.56)

Total 123,548

(20.77)

89,766

(15.09)

381,598

(64.14)

Table 10. Age Groups of all Active Airmen by Effective 

Medical Class
16 

Figure 10. Age Groups as of 12/31/2011 of all Active Airmen
17

Figure 11. Age Groups as of 12/31/2011 by Effective Medical Class for all Active Airmen

Table 11. Age at Exam Summary Statistics for Active Airmen by 

Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class Number of Airmen Mean Median Standard

Deviation

First 190,125 39.8 39.6 13.5 

Second 129,740 43.1 43.1 15.8 

Third 275,047 44.5 45.5 17.3 

All Classes 594,186 42.7 42.7 15.9

Table 11. Age at Exam Summary Statistics for Active Airmen by Issued 

Medical Class 
18 

Table 12. Age Groups for all Active Airmen by 

Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class 

Number

(Percent) Age Group 

(at time of exam) First Second Third

16-19 12,665

(6.66)

7,774

(5.99)

18,963

(6.89)

20-24 21,254

(11.18)

13,883

(10.70)

32,137

(11.68)

25-29 22,364

(11.76)

13,550

(10.44)

24,370

(8.86)

30-34 21,071

(11.08)

10,708

(8.25)

20,702

(7.53)

35-39 19,545

(10.28)

12,779

(9.85)

23,951

(8.71)

40-44 19,310

(10.16)

10,672

(8.23)

15,431

(5.61)

45-49 22,419

(11.79)

13,438

(10.36)

23,423

(8.52)

50-54 22,388

(11.78)

13,142

(10.13)

28,865

(10.49)

55-59 16,620

(8.74)

11,498

(8.86)

28,247

(10.27)

60-64 9,615

(5.06)

10,546

(8.13)

23,567

(8.57)

65+ 2,874

(1.51)

11,750

(9.06)

35,391

(12.87)

Total 190,125

(31.96)

129,740

(21.81)

275,047

(46.23)

Table 12. Age Groups for all Active Airmen by 

Issued Medical Class
19

Figure 12. Age Group of all Active Airmen at Time of Exam
20 

Figure 13. Age Groups by Issued Medical Class for all Active Airmen at Time of Exam

Table 13. Age at Time of Exam by Issued Medical Class and Gender 

Issued Medical Class 

Age Group First Second Third Total Airmen 

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

16-19 1,516 11,149 1,032 6,742 2,787 16,176 5,335 34,067 

20-24 1,895 19,359 1,300 12,583 3,349 28,788 6,544 60,730 

25-29 1,704 20,660 1,214 12,336 2,366 22,004 5,284 55,000 

30-34 1,559 19,512 856 9,852 1,759 18,943 4,174 48,307 

35-39 1,227 18,318 858 11,921 1,938 22,013 4,023 52,252 

40-44 930 18,380 564 10,108 1,051 14,380 2,545 42,868 

45-49 929 21,490 640 12,798 1,437 21,986 3,006 56,274 

50-54 712 21,676 560 12,582 1,733 27,132 3,005 61,390 

55-59 412 16,208 409 11,089 1,592 26,655 2,413 53,952 

60-64 87 9,528 251 10,295 1,101 22,466 1,439 42,289 

65+ 12 2,862 195 11,555 1,226 34,165 1,433 48,582 

Total 10,983 179,142 7,879 121,861 20,339 254,708 39,201 555,711 

Table 13. Age at Time of Exam by Issued Medical Class and Gender
21

Figure 14. Age Group at Time of Exam by Gender and Issued Medical Class
22 

Table 14. Height (inches) of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class* Number of Airmen Mean Median Standard 

Deviation

First 

Females 10,983 65.5 65.0 2.8 

Males 179,133 70.6 71.0 2.7 

Second

Females 7,879 65.5 65.0 2.9 

Males 121,856 70.5 71.0 2.7 

Third

Females 20,337 65.5 65.0 3.0 

Males 254,688 70.5 70.0 2.8 

All Classes 

Females 39,199 65.5 65.0 2.9

Males 555,677 70.5 71.0 2.7

*36 airmen missing height

Table 14. Height (inches) of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class

Table 15. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class and Gender 

Height*

Issued Medical Class 

First Second Third Total Airmen 

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

<59 50 175 47 161 160 295 257 631

59 47 58 45 63 111 142 203 263 

60 185 98 152 141 466 296 803 535

61 367 114 254 120 745 288 1,366 522 

62 769 166 587 156 1,583 399 2,939 721

63 1,055 366 804 303 2,041 818 3,900 1,487 

64 1,529 1,216 1,095 852 2,772 2,072 5,396 4,140

65 1,565 2,636 1,083 1,851 2,725 4,124 5,373 8,611 

66 1,655 6,128 1,156 4,507 2,835 9,449 5,646 20,084

67 1,325 10,758 917 7,277 2,285 15,678 4,527 33,713 

68 989 16,925 657 11,838 1,706 24,839 3,352 53,602

69 624 21,596 439 14,894 1,107 30,335 2,170 66,825 

70 398 27,166 291 18,500 751 39,177 1,440 84,843

71 193 24,383 135 16,940 421 35,286 749 76,609 

72 122 26,882 116 18,222 291 36,749 529 81,853

73 50 16,012 42 10,388 121 21,536 213 47,936 

74 24 12,338 33 7,852 106 16,329 163 36,519

75 12 6,303 13 3,920 58 8,591 83 18,814 

76 11 3,740 6 2,415 29 5,155 46 11,310

77 7 1,257 3 867 10 1,783 20 3,907 

78+ 6 816 4 589 14 1,347 24 2,752

Total 10,983 179,133 7,879 121,856 20,337 254,688 39,199 555,677

*36 airmen missing height and/or gender 

Table 15. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class and Gender
23

Figure 15. Height (inches) by Gender and Issued Medical Class
24 

Figure 16. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class – Females Only
25

Figure 17. Height (inches) by Issued Medical Class – Males Only
26 

Table 16. Weight (pounds) of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class* Number of Airmen Mean Median Standard

Deviation

First 

Females 10,980 144.4 139.0 28.3 

Males 179,126 190.3 187.0 32.8 

Second

Females 7,878 149.9 143.0 32.3 

Males 121,846 194.2 190.0 34.0 

Third

Females 20,335 148.4 142.0 31.1 

Males 254,683 193.9 190.0 34.5 

All Classes 

Females 39,193 147.6 141.0 30.7

Males 555,655 192.8 190.0 33.9

*64 missing weight 

Table 16. Weight (pounds) of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class

Table 17. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class and Gender 

Weight*

Issued Medical Class 

First Second Third Total Airmen 

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

<100 113 54 53 29 148 56 314 139

100-109 406 172 268 71 702 166 1,376 409 

110-119 1,139 614 687 308 1,851 688 3,677 1,610

120-129 1,829 1,747 1,150 967 3,108 2,239 6,087 4,953 

130-139 2,058 4,132 1,297 2,412 3,420 5,106 6,775 11,650

140-149 1,625 7,818 1,183 4,538 3,041 10,086 5,849 22,442 

150-159 1,214 13,099 844 7,900 2,277 16,996 4,335 37,995

160-169 808 18,653 644 11,347 1,632 24,335 3,084 54,335 

170-179 565 23,073 476 14,463 1,260 30,641 2,301 68,177

180-189 410 24,826 378 16,207 853 33,445 1,641 74,478 

190-199 284 22,106 257 14,953 600 30,901 1,141 67,960

200-209 158 18,050 185 13,103 438 26,413 781 57,566 

210-219 122 13,726 142 10,358 281 20,698 545 44,782

220-229 80 10,186 96 7,812 230 16,281 406 34,279 

230-239 70 7,150 73 5,655 164 11,657 307 24,462

240-249 28 4,728 48 3,879 110 8,128 186 16,735 

250-259 22 3,251 31 2,696 76 5,529 129 11,476

260-269 22 2,000 17 1,716 49 3,691 88 7,407 

270-279 11 1,348 15 1,159 36 2,635 62 5,142

280+ 16 2,393 34 2,273 59 4,992 109 9,658 

Total 10,980 179,126 7,878 121,846 20,335 254,683 39,193 555,655

*64 airmen missing weight and/or gender 

Table 17. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class and Gender
27

Figure 18. Weight (pounds) by Gender and Issued Medical Class
28 

Figure 19. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class – Females Only
29

Figure 20. Weight (pounds) by Issued Medical Class – Males Only
30 

Table 18. BMI of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class* Number of 

Airmen Mean Median StandardDeviation

Females 10,980 23.6 22.7 4.2 First

Males 179,120 26.8 26.4 4.2 

Females 7,878 24.5 23.5 4.8 Second

Males 121,842 27.5 27.0 4.4 

Females 20,333 24.3 23.3 4.6 Third

Males 254,665 27.4 26.9 4.5 

Females 39,191 24.2 23.2 4.6

All Classes 

Males 555,627 27.2 26.7 4.4

*94 airmen missing BMI 

Table 18. BMI of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class

Table 19. BMI Category by Issued Medical Class and Gender 

Issued Medical Class 

BMI* First Second Third Total Airmen 

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

Underweight 515 1,624 285 812 725 1,814 1,525 4,250

Normal 7,349 59,896 4,734 35,310 12,626 75,710 24,709 170,916

Overweight 2,238 83,450 1,852 56,346 4,789 115,692 8,879 255,488

Obese 878 34,150 1,007 29,374 2,193 61,449 4,078 124,973

Total 10,980 179,120 7,878 121,842 20,333 254,665 39,191 555,627

*94 airmen missing BMI and/or gender 

Table 19. BMI Category by Issued Medical Class and Gender
31

Figure 21. BMI by Gender and Issued Medical Class
32 

Figure 22. BMI by Issued Medical Class – Females Only
33

Figure 23. BMI by Issued Medical Class – Males Only
34 

Table 20. Special Issuance by Issued Medical Class, Gender, Age, and BMI 

Special Issuance 

Yes 

(Percent) 

No

(Percent) 

First 9,440

(4.97) 

180,685 

(95.03) 

Second 7,240

(5.58) 

122,500 

(94.42) Class Issued 

Third 22,781

(8.28) 

252,266 

(91.72) 

Female 1,610

(4.11) 

37,591

(95.89) Gender 

Male 37,851

(6.81) 

517,860 

(93.19) 

16-19 525

(1.33) 

38,877

(98.67) 

20-24 711

(1.06) 

66,563

(98.94) 

25-29 866

(1.44) 

59,418

(98.56) 

30-34 1,049

(2.00) 

51,432

(98.00) 

35-39 1,363

(2.42) 

54,912

(97.58) 

40-44 2,054

(4.52) 

43,359

(95.48) 

45-49 3,421

(5.77) 

55,859

(94.23) 

50-54 5,394

(8.38) 

59,001

(91.62) 

55-59 6,443

(11.43) 

49,922

(88.57) 

60-64 6,594

(15.08) 

37,134

(84.92) 

Age at Exam 

65+ 11,041

(22.08) 

38,974

(77.92) 

Underweight 113

(1.96) 

5,662

(93.04) 

Normal 8,316

(4.25) 

187,309 

(95.75) 

Overweight 18,254

(6.90) 

246,113 

(93.10) 

BMI*

Obese 12,770

(9.90) 

116,281 

(90.10) 

Total 39,461

(6.63) 

555,451 

(93.37) 

*94 airmen missing BMI 

Table 20. Special Issuance by Issued Medical Class, Gender, Age, and BMI
35

Figure 24. Special Issuance by Issued Medical Class
36 

Figure 25. Special Issuance by Age Group at Time of Exam
37

Figure 26. Special Issuance by BMI Category
38 

Table 21. Top 15 Reported Medical Conditions

Pathology Description Number Percent

Hypertension with medication 65,902 11.08

Other miscellaneous allergic conditions* 38,938 6.55

Hernias – inguinal, femoral, umbilical, hiatal 31,235 5.25

Urolithiasis – stones or calculus of kidney, ureter, bladder 23,990 4.03

Male genital system – prostatic, varicocele, hydrocele, transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), spermatocele, benign 

prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

22,558 3.79

Other esophagus, stomach, and duodenal conditions – severe 

gastritis, esophageal reflux, achalasia, GERD, gastroplasty, 

dysphagia, dyspepsia, thrombus abdomen aorta#

22,187 3.73

Other skin conditions – includes acne, abnormal 

pigmentation, vitiligo, psoriasis, keratosis, neurofibroma, 

(basal cell carcinoma), adenoma, ganglio neuroma, fibroma, 

fibroadenoma, neuroma, Morton’s neuroma, hemangioma‡

15,660 2.63

Ruptured intervertebral disk, nucleus pulposus, spinal fusion, 

laminectomy and spinal stenosis, compression disc, other back 

surgeries

15,128 2.54

Hay fever 15,031 2.53

Other lower extremities conditions – operations, fractures, 

dislocation, knee replacement, knee reconstruction, ACL 

reconstruction§

14,769 2.48

Asthma 12,777 2.15

Neuroses – hysterical, hysterical-conversion type, hystericaldissociative type, phobic, neurasthenic, depersonalization, 

hypochondriacal, adjustment disorder and other neurosis

11,171 1.88

Other general heart pathology (abnormal ECG, open heart 

surgery, etc.). Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, ablation, AV 

block, right bundle branch block, left bundle branch block†

10,288 1.73

Murmur – includes functional or physiological 10,086 1.70

Traumatic brain injury, concussion, amnesia, coma (30 minutes 

or more), loss of memory 10,010 1.68

* Excludes hay fever and asthma

# Excludes ulcers, gastrectomy, lapband staple bypass, gastric bypass, hernias, esophageal varices

‡ Excludes dermatitis, pilonidal cyst, significant scarring, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma

§ Excludes deformity of toes, foot, or leg, diseases (synovitis, arthritis, bursitis, osteomyelitis, neoplasms, 

polymyalgia rheumatica, etc.), rheumatoid arthritis, unstable knee (locked knee, herniated meniscus, no 

patella)

† Excludes cardiomyopathy, pacemaker, cardiac stents, cardiac angioplasty
39

Table 22. Medical Conditions by Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class 

First Second Third Total

Color vision deficiency 1,557

(0.82)

924

(0.71)

1,784

(0.65)

4,265

(0.72) Vision

Monocular vision 278

(0.15)

374

(0.29)

1,328

(0.48)

1,980

(0.33)

Lung transplant 1

(0.00)

1

(0.00)

3

(0.00)

5

(0.00)

Heart transplant 0

(0.00)

0

(0.00)

4

(0.00)

4

(0.00)

Liver transplant 5

(0.00)

5

(0.00)

43

(0.02)

53

(0.01)

Transplants

Kidney transplant 35

(0.02)

28

(0.02)

71

(0.03)

134

(0.02)

Myocardial infarction 562

(0.30)

347

(0.27)

2,135

(0.78)

3,044

(0.51)

Coronary angioplasty with a stent 771

(0.41)

460

(0.35)

3,063

(1.11)

4,294

(0.72)

Coronary angioplasty procedure 199

(0.10)

153

(0.12)

726

(0.26)

1,078

(0.18)

Coronary artery bypass surgery 346

(0.18)

243

(0.19)

1,925

(0.70)

2,514

(0.42)

Implanted pacemaker 62

(0.03)

55

(0.04)

319

(0.12)

436

(0.07)

Aortic valve conditions* 510

(0.27)

373

(0.29)

1,336

(0.49)

2,219

(0.37)

Mitral valve conditions# 683

(0.36)

462

(0.36)

1,682

(0.61)

2,827

(0.48)

Cardiac

Hypertension with medication 13,423

(7.06)

13,594

(10.48)

38,885

(14.14)

65,902

(11.08)

Table 22. Medical Conditions by Issued Medical Class
40 

Table 22. (Continued) Medical Conditions by Issued Medical Class 

Medical Class Issued 

First Second Third

Total

Alcohol abuse/dependence 1,820

(0.96)

958

(0.74) 

1,710

(0.62) 

4,488

(0.75)

Drug abuse/dependence 711

(0.37)

551

(0.42) 

758

(0.28) 

2,020

(0.34)

Alcohol/Drug case monitored 970

(0.51)

73

(0.06) 

15

(0.01) 

1,058

(0.18)

Alcohol related offense‡ 10,115

(5.32)

7,456

(5.75) 

13,773

(5.01) 

31,344

(5.27)

Alcohol and Drugs 

Drug related offense/misuse§ 526

(0.28)

566

(0.44) 

930

(0.34) 

2,022

(0.34)

Sleep apnea 1,541

(0.81)

1,255

(0.97) 

2,955

(1.07) 

5,751

(0.97)

Applied for SSRI use 41

(0.02)

32

(0.02) 

148

(0.05) 

221

(0.04)

SSRI special issuance 19

(0.01)

5

(0.00) 

41

(0.01) 

65

(0.01)

Other conditions of interest 

Diabetes† 1,015

(0.53)

1,375

(1.06) 

4,486

(1.63) 

6,876

(1.16)

* Includes aortic valvular disease, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, aortic 

insufficiency, bicuspid aortic valve, also replacement, ruptured aorta or lacerated, aortic bruit # Includes mitral valve disease, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, mitral insufficiency. Does not include valve replacement. ‡ Includes DUI, DWI, public intox, wet/reckless, .04-.09 blood alcohol 

§

 Includes drug offenses and positive drug test other than Drug Industry Program (Failed Drug Testing) 

†

 Controlled by hypoglycemic drugs or insulin

Table 22 (continued). Medical Conditions by Issued Medical Class