DOT/FAA/AM-12/3

Office of Aerospace Medicine

Washington, DC 20591

OK-12-0025-JAH

Valerie Skaggs

Ann Norris

Robert Johnson

Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Federal Aviation Administration

Oklahoma City, OK 73125

February 2012

Final Report

2010 Aerospace Medical Certification 

Statistical Handbook
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/library/reports/medical/oamtechreports
i

Technical Report Documentation Page 

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

DOT/FAA/AM-12/3 

4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date 

2010 Aerospace Medical Certification Statistical Handbook February 2012 

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 11. Contract or Grant No. 

Oklahoma City, OK 73125 

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. This information has not been published since 1998, so in response to recent 

need, we reinstated the annual report. The 2010 annual handbook documents the most recent and most widely 

relevant data on active civil aviation airmen and AMEs. 

Methods. Medical certification records from 2006-2010 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 2008-2010, 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, 2010, there were 598,642 medically certified airmen age 16 and older, 

and 30.9%, 22.1%, and 47.0% were issued a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 medical certificate, respectively. Across 

all medical classes, the average age was 44 years and 93.5% of the airmen were male. The mean BMI for both 

females and males was 24.2 and 27.3 respectively. Six percent of issued certificates required a special issuance. 

The most commonly reported medical condition was hypertension with medication, at 11%. 

AMEs: Of the 3,651 active AMEs, 93% were civilian, 2.4% federal, and 4.6% military. Nearly 50% reported 

their medical specialty as family practice. Their average age was 59.4 years; the majority (52%) did not hold a 

pilot license, and 82% were male. 

Summary. This report contains widely requested data on the active U.S. civil airmen population that has not 

been readily accessible since 1998. This report will be updated annually and will be 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 

Defense Technical Information Center, Ft. Belvoir, VA 

22060; and the National Technical Information 

Service, Springfield, VA 22161 

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

Unclassified Unclassified 46 

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

iii

Co

Section I. Aviation Medical Examines.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

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 FAA Aviation Medical Examiners.                                                         .

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

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

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

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 Certificatin  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

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 12/31/2010 of all Active Airmen by Effective Medical Class.                                           . 

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

Figure 10. Age Groups as of 12/31/2010 of all Active Airmen.                                                                     . 

Figure 11. Age Groups as of 12/31/2010 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 14. Height of all Active Airmen by Gender and Issued Medical Class.                                                 . 

Table 15. Height by Issued Medical Class and Gender.                                                                                 . 

Figure 15. Height by Gender and Issued Medical Class.                                                                               . 

Figure 16. Height by Issued Medical Class – Females only.                                                                           . 

Figure 17. Height by Issued Medical Class – Males only .                                                                             . 

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

Table 17. Weight by Issued Medical Class and Gender.                                                                                 . 

Figure 18. Weight by Gender and Issued Medical Class.                                                                               . 

Figure 19. Weight by Issued Medical Class – Females only.                                                                           . 

Figure 20. Weight 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 .                                                                               . 

Table 22 Continued. Medical conditions by Issued Medical Class.                                                               . 

1

4

Section I. Aviation Medical Examiners

This section characterizes the aviation medical examiners during 2010 with some 

comparative data from 2008 and 2009. All analyses represent data through December 

31, 2010 unless otherwise noted. 

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* 

2008

Number

(Percent of Total)

2009

Number

(Percent of Total)

2010

Number

(Percent of Total)

Civilian 3497

(90.2)

3350

(93.8)

3397

(93.0)

Federal 82

(2.1)

83

(2.3)

86

(2.4)

Military 299

(7.7)

138

(3.9)

168

(4.6)

Total 3878 3571 3651

*unknown AME type: 42 in 2008, 11 in 2009, 3 in 2010 
2

5

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

Newly Appointed 

Number

(Percent of Total by Year) 

All Active 

Number

(Percent of Total by Year) Region*

2008 2009 2010 2008 2009 2010

Alaskan 4

(3.3)

3

(2.1)

3

(2.0)

71

(1.8)

66

(1.9)

68

(1.9)

Central 7

(5.8)

8

(5.6)

9

(6.1)

198

(5.1)

184

(5.2)

185

(5.1)

Eastern 5

(4.1)

6

(4.2)

9

(6.1)

418

(10.8)

391

(11.0)

390

(10.7)

Federal/Official 3

(2.5)

6

(4.2)

4

(2.7)

102

(2.6)

103

(2.9)

111

(3.0)

Great Lakes 14

(11.6)

15

(10.5)

14

(9.5)

539

(13.9)

515

(14.4)

514

(14.1)

International 6

(5.0)

13

(9.1)

21

(14.3)

283

(7.3)

293

(8.2)

312

(8.6)

Military 39

(32.2)

31

(21.7)

27

(18.4)

289

(7.5)

129

(3.6)

158

(4.3)

New England 6

(5.0)

6

(4.2)

7

(4.8)

113

(2.9)

112

(3.1)

118

(3.2)

Northwest

Mountain

8

(6.6)

12

(8.4)

12

(8.2)

379

(9.8)

357

(10.0)

358

(9.8)

Southern 10

(8.3)

17

(11.9)

16

(10.9)

753

(19.4)

703

(19.7)

711

(19.5)

Southwest 13

(10.7)

20

(14.0)

15

(10.2)

423

(10.9)

421

(11.8)

422

(11.6)

Western-Pacific 6

(5.0)

6

(4.2)

10

(6.8)

310

(8.0)

297

(8.3)

304

(8.3)

Total 121 143 147 3878 3571 3651

*unknown region: 42 in 2008, 11 in 2009, 3 in 2010 
3

6

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

7

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

8

Figure 3. Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region
6

9

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

Specialty PercentFamily Practice 49.0Internal Medicine 18.9Aerospace Medicine 10.5Other 6.9Occupational Medicine 5.8General Surgery 2.9Ophthalmology 2.4Emergency Medicine 1.4Orthopedic Surgery 1.2Otorhinolaryngology 1.1Total 3654
7

10

Figure 5. Gender Distribution of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners 
8

11

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

Pilot License Type* Number

(Percent)

Air Transport 39

(1.1)

Commercial – Instrument Flight Rules 167

(4.6)

Commercial 84

(2.3)

Private – Instrument Flight Rules 148

(4.1)

Private 1155

(31.6)

Recreational 2

(0.1)

Student 152

(4.2)

None 1904

(52.2)

Total 3651

*3 unknown pilot license type 
9 12

Figure 6. Pilot License Type of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners 
10

13

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

Senior Examiner* 

Number

(Percent)

Yes 2147

(58.8)

No 1504

(41.2)

Total 3651

*3 unknown senior examiner status 

Figure 7. Senior Examiner Status of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners by Region 
11

14

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

Number Mean Median Standard

Deviation Minimum Maximum

Overall 3651 59.4 58.9 11.2 28.4 92.4

Male 2986 59.7 59.1 11.3 28.4 92.4

Female 280 51.6 52.0 8.9 30.4 81.2

Gender

Not Reported 385 62.6 62.8 9.3 35.0 87.8

*3 unknown age 

Figure 8. Age Group of Active FAA Aviation Medical Examiners

13

15

Section II. Airman Medical Certification 

The Aerospace Medical Certification Division is the central screening facility and 

repository within the Federal Aviation Administration for 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, 2010. 

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. thirdclass) 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 

2000 453,595 N/A 

2001 454,428 0.2 

2002 444,213 -2.2 

2003 444,732 0.1 

2004 444,248 -0.1 

2005 438,414 -1.3 

2006 440,267 0.4 

2007 452,583 2.8 

2008* 425,247 -6.0 

2009 397,138 -6.6 

2010 394,562 -0.6 

*Policy change July 24, 2008 lengthened the time of 

 certificate validity for those under 40 years of age. 
14

Table 7. Issued and Effective Medical Class by Region

Issued Medical Class 

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 1,893 1,427 164 302 2,326 1,440 886 3,964 3,964 8,183 1.4 1,427 1,604 5,152 Central 4,776 3,095 474 1,207 5,941 3,633 2,308 14,129 14,129 24,846 4.2 3,095 4,107 17,644 Eastern 18,809 12,553 1,472 4,784 13,667 7,616 6,051 33,717 33,717 66,193 11.1 12,553 9,088 44,552 Great Lakes 26,126 17,617 1,728 6,781 15,770 9,196 6,574 41,230 41,230 83,126 13.9 17,617 10,924 54,585 New England 6,225 4,193 445 1,587 4,282 2,400 1,882 11,059 11,059 21,566 3.6 4,193 2,845 14,528 Northwest-Mountain 18,830 12,207 1,566 5,057 15,781 8,529 7,252 28,648 28,648 63,259 10.6 12,207 10,095 40,957 Southern 41,689 28,919 3,650 9,120 26,542 16,011 10,531 52,057 52,057 120,288 20.1 28,919 19,661 71,708 Southwest 20,759 14,079 1,698 4,982 17,789 10,921 6,868 33,080 33,080 71,628 12.0 14,079 12,619 44,930 Western-Pacific 23,746 14,804 2,040 6,902 20,145 11,514 8,631 44,980 44,980 88,871 14.9 14,804 13,554 60,513 US Total 162,853 108,894 13,237 40,722 122,243 71,260 50,983 262,864 262,864 547,960 91.6 108,894 84,497 354,569 Military 4 1 0 3 2,492 912 1,580 5,993 5,993 8,489 1.4 1 912 7,576 International 22,153 9,776 1,825 10,552 7,355 3,031 4,324 12,189 12,189 41,697 7.0 9,776 4,856 27,065 Total 185,010 118,671 15,062 51,277 132,090 75,203 56,887 281,046 281,046 598,146 100 118,671 90,265 389,210 Percent of Total Certified Airmen 30.9 22.1 47.0 100.0 19.8 15.1 65.1 * 496 airmen with unknown region 
15

18

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

Issued Medical Class 

First Second Third Total Airmen 

State of Residence * Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

Alabama 42 1,114 77 2,438 244 3,883 363 7,435 

Alaska 140 1,753 183 2,143 378 3,586 701 7,482 

Arizona 370 6,117 287 3,918 651 7,996 1,308 18,031 

Arkansas 51 850 45 1,467 172 2,438 268 4,755

California 974 12,642 900 12,528 2,658 29,890 4,532 55,060 

Colorado 509 5,813 205 2,893 545 6,135 1,259 14,841 

Connecticut 87 1,600 61 967 193 2,517 341 5,084

Delaware 19 369 10 311 45 629 74 1,309

District of Columbia 10 95 8 80 39 280 57 455 

Florida 1,014 17,380 643 10,398 1,663 18,328 3,320 46,106 

Georgia 362 7,311 193 3,452 530 7,129 1,085 17,892 

Hawaii 125 1,239 80 698 83 616 288 2,553

Idaho 45 739 80 1,383 189 2,334 314 4,456

Illinois 418 5,578 218 3,060 528 7,347 1,164 15,985 

Indiana 179 2,923 91 1,738 309 4,672 579 9,333 

Iowa 29 638 42 1,158 200 3,114 271 4,910

Kansas 57 1,179 81 1,713 298 3,735 436 6,627 

Kentucky 117 2,505 66 980 185 2,403 368 5,888

Louisiana 44 1,187 75 1,723 158 2,387 277 5,297 

Maine 34 468 43 549 95 1,311 172 2,328

Maryland 95 1,694 122 1,562 334 3,755 551 7,011 

Massachusetts 145 1,898 107 1,346 343 4,014 595 7,258 

Michigan 294 4,018 157 2,305 494 6,612 945 12,935 

Minnesota 277 4,127 133 2,124 368 5,345 778 11,596 

Mississippi 48 981 39 1,042 125 1,930 212 3,953

Missouri 92 2,148 102 2,043 317 4,416 511 8,607 

Montana 60 613 70 1,078 171 1,958 301 3,649

Nebraska 31 602 19 783 125 1,924 175 3,309

Nevada 110 1,976 112 1,492 261 2,585 483 6,053 

New Hampshire 76 1,306 58 735 103 1,365 237 3,406 

New Jersey 156 2,655 112 1,609 325 4,179 593 8,443 

New Mexico 36 605 96 1,038 174 1,898 306 3,541 

New York 268 4,312 208 2,979 589 7,849 1,065 15,140 

North Carolina 200 3,868 135 2,602 433 6,509 768 12,979 

North Dakota 36 817 34 867 53 1,102 123 2,786 

Ohio 251 4,675 175 2,473 525 7,316 951 14,464 

Oklahoma 78 1,447 128 2,126 319 4,158 525 7,731 

Oregon 112 1,401 215 2,535 388 4,359 715 8,295 

Pennsylvania 235 4,464 225 3,083 527 7,144 987 14,691 

Rhode Island 27 300 12 161 35 443 74 904 

South Carolina 80 1,559 74 1,357 207 3,096 361 6,012 

South Dakota 30 305 30 652 53 1,035 113 1,992 

Tennessee 205 4,048 147 2,430 302 4,353 654 10,831 

Texas 744 15,717 609 10,482 1,579 19,797 2,932 45,996 

Utah 155 2,946 152 2,361 169 2,460 476 7,767 

Vermont 23 261 18 225 44 596 85 1,082

Virginia 238 3,824 171 2,664 584 6,202 993 12,690 

Washington 444 5,697 308 4,077 694 8,086 1,446 17,860 

West Virginia 17 283 20 371 64 1,001 101 1,655 

Wisconsin 120 2,078 90 1,623 368 5,103 578 8,804 

Wyoming 13 283 29 395 90 1,070 132 1,748

US Territories 41 1,063 38 687 73 1,064 152 2,814 

Military 1 3 80 2,412 551 5,442 632 7,857

International 1,230 20,923 387 6,968 800 11,389 2,417 39,280

Total 10,594 174,397 7,800 124,284 20,750 260,285 39,144 558,966

*532 airmen missing state 
16

19

Figure 9. Issued Medical Class by Region and Gender 
17

20

Table 9. Age as of 12/31/2010 of all Active Airmen by Effective Medical Class 

Effective Medical Class Number of 

airmen Mean Median StandardDeviation

First 118,769 43.1 44.0 12.0 

Second 90,315 49.1 49.6 13.4 

Third 389,558 43.1 41.1 16.3 

All Classes 598,642 44.0 43.6 15.3

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

Effective Medical Class 

Number

(Percent) Age Group 

(as of 12/31/2010) First Second Third

16-20 2,403

(2.02)

1,467

(1.62)

10,292

(2.64)

20-24 6,647

(5.60)

3,892

(4.31)

50,418

(12.94)

25-29 11,523

(9.70)

4,880

(5.40)

51,083

(13.11)

30-34 12,906

(10.87)

4,208

(4.66)

37,598

(9.65)

35-39 14,488

(12.20)

5,198

(5.76)

36,264

(9.31)

40-44 14,441

(12.16)

11,884

(13.16)

36,064

(9.26)

45-49 16,934

(14.26)

14,861

(16.45)

28,879

(7.41)

50-54 18,093

(15.23)

12,976

(14.37)

34,016

(8.73)

55-59 12,922

(10.88)

10,848

(12.01)

33,470

(8.59)

60-64 6,828

(5.75)

9,912

(10.97)

28,596

(7.34)

65+ 1,584

(1.33)

10,189

(11.28)

42,878

(11.01)

Total 118,769

(19.84)

90,315

(15.09)

389,558

(65.07)
18

21

Figure 10. Age Groups as of 12/31/2010 of all Active Airmen
19

22

Figure 11. Age Groups as of 12/31/2010 by Effective Medical Class for all Active Airmen 
20

23

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 185,206 39.6 39.5 13.3

Second 132,153 43.1 43.2 15.6

Third 281,283 44.3 45.3 17.1

All Classes 598,642 42.6 42.7 15.8

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

16-20 12,387

(6.69)

7,903

(5.98)

19,197

(6.82)

20-24 20,514

(11.08)

13,922

(10.53)

32,467

(11.54)

25-29 21,656

(11.69)

13,230

(10.01)

24,393

(8.67)

30-34 20,507

(11.07)

10,725

(8.12)

21,461

(7.63)

35-39 20,054

(10.83)

13,538

(10.24)

25,522

(9.07)

40-44 19,135

(10.33)

11,278

(8.53)

16,185

(5.75)

45-49 22,531

(12.17)

14,154

(10.71)

25,361

(9.02)

50-54 21,513

(11.62)

13,449

(10.18)

30,102

(10.70)

55-59 15,406

(8.32)

11,538

(8.73)

28,398

(10.10)

60-64 8,843

(4.77)

10,910

(8.26)

23,268

(8.27)

65+ 2,660

(1.44)

11,506

(8.71)

34,929

(12.42)

Total 185,206

(30.94)

132,153

(22.08)

281,283

(46.99)
21

24

Figure 12. Age Group of all Active Airmen at Time of Exam 
22

25

Figure 13. Age Groups by Issued Medical Class for all Active Airmen at Time of Exam
23

26

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

Issued Medical Class 

First Second Third Total Airmen Age

Group Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

16-20 1,459 10,928 1,039 6,864 2,821 16,376 5,319 34,168

20-24 1,822 18,692 1,214 12,708 3,378 29,089 6,414 60,489

25-29 1,668 19,988 1,137 12,093 2,330 22,063 5,135 54,144

30-34 1,561 18,946 845 9,880 1,820 19,641 4,226 48,467

35-39 1,225 18,829 894 12,644 2,059 23,463 4,178 54,936

40-44 929 18,206 596 10,682 1,097 15,088 2,622 43,976

45-49 886 21,645 680 13,474 1,575 23,786 3,141 58,905

50-54 654 20,859 549 12,900 1,853 28,249 3,056 62,008

55-59 334 15,072 420 11,118 1,572 26,826 2,326 53,016

60-64 67 8,776 238 10,672 1,058 22,210 1,363 41,658

65+ 12 2,648 195 11,311 1,223 33,706 1,430 47,665

Total 10,617 174,589 7,807 124,346 20,786 260,497 39,210 559,432

 
24

27

Figure 14. Age Group at Time of Exam by Gender and Issued Medical Class 
25

28

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

Issued Medical Class* Number of 

airmen

Mean Median Standard 

Deviation

Females 10,616 65.5 65.0 2.7 First

Males 174,574 70.6 71.0 2.7

Females 7,807 65.4 65.0 2.9 Second

Males 124,338 70.5 71.0 2.7

Females 20,785 65.4 65.0 3.0 Third

Males 260,478 70.5 70.0 2.8

Females 39,208 65.4 65.0 2.9

All Classes 

Males 559,390 70.5 71.0 2.7

*44 airmen missing height 

Table 15. Height by Issued Medical Class and Gender 

Issued Medical Class

First Second Third Total Airmen 

Height* Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

<59 37 182 49 145 158 316 244 643

59 43 56 45 72 123 150 211 278

60 165 110 156 146 462 331 783 587

61 348 92 254 116 756 291 1,358 499

62 744 162 588 147 1,634 431 2,966 740

63 1,038 382 801 281 2,142 821 3,981 1,484

64 1,496 1,119 1,059 891 2,865 2,110 5,420 4,120

65 1,481 2,526 1,080 1,846 2,862 4,214 5,423 8,586

66 1,619 5,851 1,187 4,584 2,908 9,686 5,714 20,121

67 1,328 10,349 910 7,476 2,304 16,012 4,542 33,837

68 983 16,448 657 12,045 1,734 25,434 3,374 53,927

69 592 20,904 403 15,118 1,128 30,877 2,123 66,899

70 375 26,289 267 18,826 732 39,948 1,374 85,063

71 182 23,798 139 17,455 406 36,101 727 77,354

72 100 26,486 118 18,559 266 37,790 484 82,835

73 39 15,649 44 10,533 117 22,077 200 48,259

74 19 12,201 24 8,051 93 16,687 136 36,939

75 10 6,219 14 4,099 48 8,781 72 19,099

76 9 3,702 6 2,495 28 5,226 43 11,423

77 4 1,229 3 871 8 1,849 15 3,949

78+ 4 820 3 582 11 1,346 18 2,748

Total 10,616 174,574 7,807 124,338 20,785 260,478 39,208 559,390

*44 airmen missing height and/or gender 
26

29

Figure 15. Height by Gender and Issued Medical Class 
27

30

Figure 16. Height by Issued Medical Class – Females only 
28

31

Figure 17. Height by Issued Medical Class – Males only 
29

32

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

Issued Medical Class* Number of 

airmen Mean Median StandardDeviation

Females 10,615 144.2 139.0 28.2 First

Males 174,572 190.5 187.0 32.6

Females 7,807 149.7 143.0 31.8 Second

Males 124,329 194.2 190.0 33.7

Females 20,782 148.2 142.0 30.7 Third

Males 260,459 194.1 190.0 34.5

Females 39,204 147.4 141.0 30.3

All Classes 

Males 559,360 193.0 190.0 33.8

*78 missing weight 

Table 17. Weight by Issued Medical Class and Gender 

Issued Medical Class

Weight* First Second Third Total Airmen 

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male 

<100 106 60 51 25 131 59 288 144

100-109 400 145 256 62 719 163 1,375 370

110-119 1,085 599 696 290 1,868 685 3,649 1,574

120-129 1,769 1,623 1,147 973 3,204 2,170 6,120 4,766

130-139 2,027 3,900 1,265 2,397 3,536 5,036 6,828 11,333

140-149 1,616 7,396 1,203 4,543 3,106 10,234 5,925 22,173

150-159 1,156 12,602 843 7,967 2,403 17,181 4,402 37,750

160-169 772 18,187 637 11,635 1,674 24,655 3,083 54,477

170-179 557 22,537 482 14,726 1,252 31,144 2,291 68,407

180-189 377 24,307 341 16,607 866 34,478 1,584 75,392

190-199 254 21,735 255 15,385 613 31,661 1,122 68,781

200-209 125 17,792 187 13,504 398 27,225 710 58,521

210-219 115 13,412 138 10,573 291 21,371 544 45,356

220-229 85 9,989 108 7,982 235 16,825 428 34,796

230-239 69 7,067 69 5,803 163 11,808 301 24,678

240-249 37 4,545 50 4,011 107 8,359 194 16,915

250-259 22 3,064 22 2,699 79 5,674 123 11,437

260-269 14 2,023 16 1,765 50 3,834 80 7,622

270-279 13 1,271 14 1,143 36 2,681 63 5,095

280+ 16 2,318 27 2,239 51 5,216 94 9,773

Total 10,615 174,572 7,807 124,329 20,782 260,459 39,204 559,360

*78 airmen missing weight and/or gender 
30

33

Figure 18. Weight by Gender and Issued Medical Class 
31

34

Figure 19. Weight by Issued Medical Class – Females only 
32

35

Figure 20. Weight by Issued Medical Class – Males only
33

36

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

Issued Medical Class* Number of 

airmen Mean Median StandardDeviation

Females 10,614 23.6 22.7 4.2 First

Males 174,561 26.8 26.4 4.2

Females 7,807 24.5 23.4 4.8 Second

Males 124,326 27.5 27.0 4.4

Females 20,781 24.3 23.3 4.6 Third

Males 260,447 27.5 27.0 4.5

Females 39,202 24.2 23.2 4.5

All Classes 

Males 559,334 27.3 26.8 4.4

*106 airmen missing BMI 

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 512 1,521 267 807 708 1,810 1,487 4,138

Normal 7,147 58,175 4,718 35,775 12,910 76,359 24,775 170,309

Overweight 2,132 81,567 1,829 57,783 4,939 119,001 8,900 258,351

Obese 823 33,298 993 29,961 2,224 63,277 4,040 126,536

Total 10,614 174,561 7,807 124,326 20,781 260,447 39,202 559,334

*106 airmen missing BMI and/or gender 
34

37

Figure 21. BMI by Gender and Issued Medical Class 
35

38

Figure 22. BMI by Issued Medical Class – Females only 
36

39

Figure 23. BMI by Issued Medical Class – Males only
37

40

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

Special Issuance 

Yes 

(Percent)

No

(Percent)

First 8,149

(4.40)

177,057

(95.60)

Second 6,693

(5.06)

125,460 Class Issued (94.94)

Third 21,625

(7.69)

259,658

(92.31)

Female 1,375

(3.51)

37,835

(96.49)

Gender 

Male 35,092

(6.27)

524,340

(93.73)

16-20 542

(1.37)

38,945

(98.63)

20-24 723

(1.08)

66,180

(98.92)

25-29 797

(1.34)

58,482

(98.66)

30-34 963

(1.83)

51,730

(98.17)

35-39 1,337

(2.26)

57,777

(97.74)

40-44 1,870

(4.01)

44,728

(95.99)

45-49 3,213

(5.18)

58,833

(94.82)

50-54 4,928

(7.57)

60,136

(92.43)

55-59 5,741

(10.37)

49,601

(89.63)

60-64 5,984

(13.91)

37,037

(86.09)

Age at Exam 

65+ 10,369

(21.12)

38,726

(78.88)

Underweight 

112

(1.99)

5,513

(98.01)

Normal 7,701

(3.95)

187,383

(96.05)

Overweight 16,927

(6.33)

250,324

(93.67)

BMI*

Obese 11,723

(8.98)

118,853

(91.02)

Total 36,467

(6.09)

562,175

(93.90)

*106 airmen missing BMI 
38 

Figure 24. Special Issuance by Issued Medical Class 
39

34

Figure 25. Special Issuance by Age Group at Time of Exam 
40 

Figure 26. Special Issuance by BMI Category 
41

44

Table 21. Top 15 Reported Medical Conditions 

Pathology Description Number Percent

Hypertension with medication 64,434 10.76

Other miscellaneous allergic conditions* 37,662 6.29

Hernias – inguinal, femoral, umbilical, hiatal 31,724 5.30

Urolithiasis – stones or calculus of kidney, ureter, bladder 24,037 4.02

Male genital system – prostatic, varicocele, hydrocele, 

transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), 

spermatocele, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) 

22,827 3.81

Other esophagus, stomach, and duodenal conditions – 

severe gastritis, esophageal reflux, achalasia, GERD, 

gastroplasty, dysphagia, dyspepsia, thrombus abdomen 

aorta#

21,902 3.66

Other skin conditions – includes acne, abnormal 

pigmentation, vitiligo, psoriasis, keratosis, neurofibroma, 

(basal cell carcinoma), adenoma, ganglio neuroma, 

fibroma, fibroadenoma, neuroma, Morton’s neuroma, 

hemangioma‡

15,570 2.60

Hayfever 15,446 2.58

Ruptured intervertebral disk, nucleus pulposus, spinal 

fusion, laminectomy and spinal stenosis, compression 

disc, other back surgeries 

15,328 2.56

Other lower extremities conditions – operations, 

fractures, dislocation, knee replacement, knee 

reconstruction, ACL reconstruction§

13,863 2.32

Asthma 12,615 2.11

Neuroses – hysterical, hysterical-conversion type, 

hysterical-dissociative type, phobic, neurasthenic, 

depersonalization, hypochondriacal, adjustment disorder 

and other neurosis 

12,178 2.03

Murmur – includes functional or physiological 10,301 1.72

Traumatic brain injury, concussion, amnesia, coma (30 

minutes or more), loss of memory 10,197 1.70

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†

9,998 1.67

* Excludes hayfever 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, polymyaglia 

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

 Excludes cardiomyopathy, pacemaker, cardiac stents, cardiac angioplasty
42

45

Table 22. Medical Conditions by Issued Medical Class 

Issued Medical Class 

First Second Third Total

Color vision 

deficiency

1,553

(0.84)

991

(0.75)

1,894

(0.67)

4,438

(0.74) Vision

Monocular vision 255

(0.14)

390

(0.30)

1,353

(0.48)

1,998

(0.33)

Lung transplant 1

(0.00)

1

(0.00)

1

(0.00)

3

(0.00)

Heart transplant 0

(0.00)

0

(0.00)

3

(0.00)

3

(0.00)

Liver transplant 8

(0.00)

6

(0.00)

42

(0.01)

56

(0.01)

Transplants 

Kidney transplant 33

(0.02)

24

(0.02)

76

(0.03)

133

(0.02)

Myocardial infarction 520

(0.28)

365

(0.28)

2,187

(0.78)

3,072

(0.51)

Coronary angioplasty 

with a stent 

708

(0.38)

498

(0.38)

2,982

(1.06)

4,188

(0.70)

Coronary angioplasty 

procedure

210

(0.11)

172

(0.13)

810

(0.29)

1,192

(0.20)

Coronary artery 

bypass surgery 

354

(0.19)

254

(0.19)

2,067

(0.73)

2,675

(0.45)

Implanted pacemaker 57

(0.03)

59

(0.04)

322

(0.11)

438

(0.07)

Aortic valve 

conditions*

445

(0.24)

355

(0.27)

1,293

(0.46)

2,093

(0.35)

Mitral valve 

conditions#

591

(0.32)

469

(0.35)

1,568

(0.56)

2,628

(0.44)

Cardiac

Hypertension with 

medication

12,451

(6.72)

13,548

(10.25)

38,435

(13.66)

64,434

(10.76)
43

38

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

Medical Class Issued 

First Second Third

Total

Alcohol

abuse/dependence

1,677

(0.91)

956

(0.72)

1,752

(0.62)

 4,385

(0.73)

Drug

abuse/dependence

679

(0.37)

540

(0.41)

759

(0.27)

1,978

(0.33)

Alcohol/Drug case 

monitored

868

(0.47)

57

(0.04)

12

(0.00)

937

(0.16)

Alcohol related 

offense‡

9,743

(5.26)

7,521

(5.69)

13,997

(4.98)

31,261

(5.22)

Alcohol and 

Drugs

Drug related 

offense/misuse§

506

(0.27)

548

(0.41)

920

(0.33)

1,974

(0.33)

Sleep apnea 1,373

(0.74)

1,150

(0.87)

2,668

(0.95)

5,191

(0.87)

Applied for SSRI use 6

(0.00)

11

(0.01)

45

(0.02)

62

(0.01)

SSRI special 

issuance

5

(0.00)

2

(0.00)

5

(0.00)

12

(0.00)

Other

conditions

of interest 

Diabetes† 901

(0.49)

1,296

(0.98)

4,323

(1.54)

6,520

(1.09)

* 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